A historic mansion in Winnetka is the suburb’s most-expensive home sold this year.
Retired Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood and his wife, Sarah, sold their 11,250-square-foot home at 660 Prospect Avenue to an undisclosed buyer for $8.5 million, or $755 per square foot, the Chicago Tribune reported. Jena Radnay of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate served as listing agent for the property.
The home sold for its asking price, which sets it apart from the rest of Chicagoland’s luxury market, where homes often take price cuts before they are sold.
The Woods purchased the Georgian Revival-style mansion in an off-market deal in 2019 and began substantial renovations to the three-story property and its 31,000-square-foot grounds. The renovations added a swimming pool, a pool house, an outdoor kitchen and organic gardens.
Built in 1902 by architect William Otis, the home has a grand staircase, five fireplaces and intricate millwork throughout. It has a sunroom, a walnut-paneled dining room, a renovated kitchen and a family room with built-in bookcases. The refinished basement offers an arts and crafts studio, a gym with a sauna, a wine room and a bar.
The Woods’ youngest child graduated from high school, and they indicated they plan to move to Texas, where Kerry Wood is from, although Sarah Wood is from here and said Chicago will always be home.
Luxury real estate sales have been flowing in Chicagoland.
Recent sales include a Lincoln Park mansion that fetched $15.25 million in August and a Gold Coast condo that sold for $9.3 million in January. The sale of the Winnetka mansion surpassed a $5.75 million transaction in March for another large residence in the area.
Winnetka is a hotspot for ultra-luxury homes, boasting two of the Chicago area’s highest-priced listings. Among them is retired investment banker Muneer Satter’s 20,000-square-foot lakefront mansion, listed at $35 million, and a nearby 15,800-square-foot lakefront property with an $18 million asking price.
— Andrew Terrell