Illinois is home to some of the largest and most extravagant houses in the United States. With sprawling estates, ornate architecture, and lush landscaping, a select few homes stand out as truly exceptional in their immense size and grandeur. Determining the biggest house in Illinois requires looking at square footage, amenity count, property acreage, and overall presence. When considering these factors, one palatial pad rises above the rest as the largest residential property in the state.
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Key Metrics for Evaluating Large Houses
Several key metrics help reveal which mansion rightfully claims the superlative of biggest home in Illinois:
- Square footage of the living area
- Total amenity count (bedrooms, bathrooms, etc)
- Acreage of the total property grounds
- Presence and perception of size
Square footage indicates the sheer physical size of the interior living space. More square footage allows for more rooms, wings, stories, and features. The amenity count also helps quantify size by tallying the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and other domestic facilities. Property acreage determines the sweeping horizontal scale of the grounds. Presence accounts for more subjective impressions of grandeur and stature. Combining measurable figures like square footage and acreage with more intangible notions of presence and perception provides a fuller picture of a home’s size.
Major Contenders for the Title
Several fantastically large estates could vie for the title of largest home in Illinois. Here are a few top contenders:
- Bruce Gates Estate – This 25,000 square foot mansion in the Chicago suburbs features 8 bedrooms, 17 bathrooms, a ballroom, wine cellar, pool, and bowling alley across 4.7 acres.
- James Pritzker Estate – The Gold Coast mansion of billionaire Hyatt hotel heir James Pritzker spans over 36,000 square feet with 16 bedrooms and 21 full plus powder bathrooms.
- Donald Trump Penthouse – The Trump International Hotel & Tower in downtown Chicago contains a palatial 17,000 square foot penthouse owned by Donald Trump.
- Budweiser Estate – This stately relic in Barrington was built by the wealthy Busch family of Anheuser-Busch fame and today spans 35,000 square feet.
Each of these residences makes a compelling case based on immense square footage, amenities, acreage, legacy, and prestige. However, when all factors are considered, one estate stands apart.
The Winner: Ben Pritzker Estate
The largest private residence in Illinois belongs to entrepreneur and billionaire Ben Pritzker. Here’s a profile of this unmatched estate:
- Location: Glencoe, Illinois (North Shore suburb of Chicago)
- Square footage: Over 60,000 square feet
- Amenities: 15 bedrooms, 24 bathrooms, 6 kitchens, indoor pool, wine cellar, ballroom
- Property: 14 acres of elaborately landscaped grounds
Built and expanded over decades by the prominent Pritzker family, the Ben Pritzker estate is in a league of its own when it comes to sheer massive scale and presence. The 60,000+ square footage mansion dwarfs all other homes in Illinois. Features like a ballroom, bowling alley, indoor pool, and 24 bathrooms make it abundantly clear no amenity was spared. The sprawling 14 acre grounds showcase meticulously designed gardens, lawns, and landscape features.
Ben Pritzker, grandson of Hyatt Hotels founder Jay Pritzker, took ownership of the estate in the 1990s. He oversaw a renovation and expansion that cemented its status as the largest private residence in the state. Locals have marveled at the stone facade mansion for generations. Its size and grandeur elicits praise and awe from architects, builders, historians, and casual observers alike.
How Big is 60,000 Square Feet?
To fully appreciate just how gigantic the Ben Pritzker estate is, it helps to contextualize its 60,000+ square footage relative to everyday comparables:
- 5-6 times larger than an average American house (around 2,600 square feet)
- Larger than many whole office buildings, hotels, and community centers
- Nearly the size of an entire Walmart superstore
The table below lists square footages of various building types to illustrate the immense scale of 60,000 square feet:
| Building | Square Feet |
|---|---|
| 5-bedroom house | 2,800 |
| High school gymnasium | 9,500 |
| K-mart store | 80,000-110,000 |
| Ben Pritzker estate | 60,000+ |
As the table shows, 60,000 square feet is bigger than typical homes, schools, warehouses, and stores. Only massive shopping centers, office towers, and factories exceed the square footage of this sprawling mansion.
One-of-a-Kind Amenities
In addition to its sheer size, the Ben Pritzker estate stands out for its unique amenities and facilities:
- Bowling alley – The Pritzker mansion features its own 6-lane bowling alley for recreation and entertainment.
- Indoor pool – An indoor swimming pool, a rare feature in Chicago area homes, allows year-round swimming.
- Ballroom – Perfect for hosting large galas and gatherings, the palatial ballroom has room for hundreds of guests.
- Wine cellar – An entire room devoted just to wine storage and tasting.
These recreational amenities make it abundantly clear no expense was spared in making this the ultimate megahome. Between the bowling, swimming, entertaining, and wine tasting, residents need never leave the grounds for recreation and leisure.
History and Ownership
The Ben Pritzker estate has a long history intertwined with Chicago’s powerful Pritzker family:
- Built in the early 1950s by A.N. Pritzker, Jay Pritzker’s brother
- Located in Glencoe on former Walter V. Woehlke estate grounds
- Expanded greatly after Ben Pritzker inherited the property in the 1990s
- Current owner Ben Pritzker is an entrepreneur and investor
For over 70 years, this palatial property has been owned and expanded by the Pritzkers, whose Hyatt Hotels fortune ranks them among America’s wealthiest families. Ben Pritzker’s renovations in the 1990s secured its status as Illinois’ largest residence.
Architecture and Design
Architecturally, the Ben Pritzker estate combines classical European inspired style with modern expansions:
- Original 1950s section more formal and traditional
- Later additions feature more contemporary open floorplans
- Stone exterior facade provides cohesive aesthetic continuity
- Meticulously landscaped grounds designed for beauty and privacy
The initial mansion reflected the tastes of early Pritzker owners with formal styling. Subsequent expansions introduced more modern stylings and open spaces. The stone facade creates visual unity between old and new wings. Outdoor landscape design provides seclusion while allowing impressive unobstructed views of the grounds.
Interior Highlights
Inside this enormous mansion, highlights include:
- Sprawling open floor layouts in newer sections
- Ornate molded plasterwork ceilings in vintage areas
- Massive master bedroom and adjoining luxury spa
- State-of-the-art chef’s kitchen with commercial grade appliances
- Concealed elevator connects all levels
From its gourmet kitchen to decadent master spa suite, the interiors contain every comfort and convenience imaginable. No luxury was spared in appointing this palace, with only the finest fixtures, finishes, and technology used.
Superlative Significance
The Ben Pritzker estate stands as significant for several reasons:
- Largest private residence in Illinois by a wide margin
- One of the Midwest’s most spectacular mansions
- Quintessential example of elite Gold Coast luxury living
- Displays the immense wealth and influence of the Pritzker family
This singular property represents both the pinnacle of luxury living and the enormous concentration of wealth possible in America. Its 60,000 square footage and 14 acre grounds make it truly without equal in Illinois for sheer mammoth scale and presence. The Pritzker mansion offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of billionaires who dwell in their own self-contained manors.
Conclusion
The Ben Pritzker estate in suburban Chicago definitively qualifies as the largest private residence in the state of Illinois. With over 60,000 square feet of living space, 15 bedrooms, 24 bathrooms, recreational amenities, and meticulously landscaped grounds spanning 14 acres, this stone façade mansion dwarfs all other homes in the state. Its long history, famous ownership, and superbly executed architecture and design all contribute to its notoriety. As a superlative and record-setting property, the Ben Pritzker estate stands in a class of its own as a true Illinois mega-manor.