Woods Walk

For the first time in a quarter century, the historic and magical estate in Barrington Hills is available to a discerning buyer.

When the current owners of 237 Oak Knoll Road in Barrington Hills bought the historic estate in 1991, they saw an opportunity to restore this local treasure to its gem status.

“Woods Walk” is an extraordinary 15-acre estate in the heart of equestrian country, minutes from the Barrington Hills Country Club, riding trails, and historic downtown Barrington.

The estate received its name because the homeowners have loved strolling its grounds.

Designed by noted architect and Barrington native, Robert Work, this elegant fully restored 7,000-square-foot 1922 Georgian was originally built as a country retreat for wealthy Chicagoan Pauline Belle Hart and her husband Evan Evans.

A true gentleman’s farm, this property boasts a quaint guest cottage, inviting pool, horse barn with adjacent riding ring, fully stocked pond, and artfully designed vegetable gardens.

“The home and gardens have been meticulously cared for,” says co-listing agent Tiffany Marshall of Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty. “When restoring the home, the owners stayed true to the traditional 1922 structure—the original doors, the hardware from the 1920s—it’s what gives this home such beauty. But the true magnificence of this estate is that the floor plan is timeless. What might be a sunporch to one homeowner, could be a home office to another. It’s very versatile.”

While the exterior and first floor have remained true to how Robert Work intended, the second floor was significantly redesigned to accommodate contemporary living in the 21^st century. For example, the luxuriously expansive master bedroom with adjacent sitting room, spacious closets, pedestal soaking tub, built-in vanity, and washer-dryer check each of the must-have items on anyone’s wish list for a home.

 

What further sets Woods Walk apart from other homes in the area are the gardens upon which the estate is nestled, having recently been recognized by the Garden Club of America’s Archives of American Gardens in the Smithsonian Institution’s Horticultural Services Division. Since purchased by the current owners, the estate has been featured in publications such as Traditional Home, Garden Gate Magazine, and Chicago Home and Garden, and has served as the backdrop for commercial photo shoots for American Girl Magazine, State Farm Insurance Company, Sears Roebuck & Company, and Weber Grill.

“When I enter the estate, I’m transcended in time,” explains listing agent, Connie Antoniou of Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty. “It is everything I envisioned the garden from the book The Secret Garden to be and more. The carefully designed vignettes throughout the extraordinary grounds are framed by whimsical touches. It is a truly magical setting.”

At Woods Walk, gardening has been a family affair. The floral and vegetable gardens are designed and maintained by the current owners along with their daughter and son-in-law who own Avant-Gardenscapes.

“This family has a true passion for the outdoors,” adds Marshall. “The vegetable gardens alone give ‘farm-to-table’ a whole new meaning. Just steps away from your kitchen, every vegetable, every herb in an artfully framed garden is there for the picking. It’s very easy to walk into this garden and picture the life you could have living on this estate.”

237 Oak Knoll Road in Barrington Hills is available for purchase through Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty in Barrington, listed by Connie Antoniou and Tiffany Marshall, 708-380-3830.