15 Most Amazing MANSIONS in CHICAGO

Chicago! A city known for its world class museums, its skyscrapers, and of course, its endless supply of beaches! A city steeped in history, and one offering styles of architecture you’ll see no where else!
Today, we are spending time in Chicago. But not just anywhere in Chicago. Today, we’re taking you to some of the richest and glitziest parts of town.
Located along the southwestern shores of the jaw-dropping Lake Michigan, in the Great Lakes Region of the US, Chicago is the country’s 3rd largest city, offering you a cosmopolitan atmosphere, with a mix of midwestern charm.
If you’re visiting the Windy City, chances are you’ve already toured the Magnificent Mile, explored the Riverwalk, experienced the SkyDeck, as well as had your fill of that deep dish pizza!
Awesome! Now, that you’ve got all of that out of the way, you can join us off the beaten path into some of the city’s most historic and most upscale districts. There, we’ll show you our top picks of the multitude of impressive homes from Chicago’s Gilded Age and beyond. These are the grand homes that were built by some of city’s wealthiest elites. The ones that got lucky, and never fell victim to the wrecking ball.
So without further ado, here are the 15 Most Amazing Mansions in Chicago!
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15 Most Amazing MANSIONS in CHICAGO
• 15 Most Amazing MANSIO...

[@katehenry2718]

My daughter and her hubby were married in the Dewes mansion. I'm so pleased to have photos of the glorious interior. Reception on first floor, dinner on the second, dancing on the third. Amazing staircase, glorious stained windows, unbelieveable woodwork! What a beautiful home for original owners to have raised children.

[@schmancy2978]

That is awesome!

[@williamtyre523]

Thank you for featuring Glessner House, we truly appreciate it! We are currently closed for tours due to some house renovations, but will be reopening on February 1, 2023.

[@schmancy2978]

Our pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@sallypettit7156]

I hope so, the way Chicago is going now, I feel sad

[@bradleymaior1858]

@@sallypettit7156 do you live in the area? If you did. You would know it's nothing the media makes of it.

[@nes999]

@Bradley Maior if you get south of Pontiac. There are honestly people that think chicago is an equivalent war zone to the Middle east.

[@vincentmancini6279]

Could hardly be called Romanesque.

[@shawndoedadon]

i love my city

[@maxmal9375]

I looooove Chicago! People are super nice and it’s such a beautiful city!

[@GaryLASQ]

I'm impressed simply because Chicago's beaches are mentioned at the start of the video. Most content creators don't mention the beaches when they talk about Chicago.

[@MomTheEbayer101]

As a born an raised Chicagoian this is incredible! I’ve seen several of these places and to know more history about them is amazing.

[@schmancy2978]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@larryjones-emery807]

Thank you. I am a native of Chicago and I welcomed this impressive video.

[@schmancy2978]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!

[@jeffreyfunke8866]

Chicago, Chicago! That tattling town!

[@naimahabdullah-gulley4405]

Native of Chicago here. I actually pass by a few of these quite often. I need to actually tour some of these that are open to the public. So much beautiful architecture here. And you didn't even delve too far south. It's some historic properties in the Kenwood area. Good list.

[@cocoaorange1]

Garfield Park gal here. I live in Uptown now. Uptown has a few mansions as well.

[@cleyesterthomas3541]

EXCELLENT!! IM FROM CHICAGO GREAT JOB.

[@schmancy2978]

Thank you very much!

[@voltaireon]

I got married at the Glessner house and it’s still one of my favorite buildings in the city. ❤️

[@Alexander-rq9he]

I don’t think the Prairie Style is at the same level as the other earlier mansions. Having said that, it’s a shame that we lost so many gorgeous works of architecture to the wrecking ball. Both Chicago and NYC were once absolutely gorgeous cities overtaken by concrete and steel skyscrapers..

[@piusx8317]

So many lost but so many still stand.

[@Marcel_Audubon]

Prairie is a far superior esthetic than those gag inducing Victorian things

[@ifloatupwards]

I had an Ex whose Mother worked for a Non-Profit Organization that was based in one of those old 4 story mansions. Had the old caged elevator and two kitchens. It was like stepping back in time.

[@gigitastic90]

The Driehaus Museum is one of the most stunning historic homes I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. Every room was breathtaking but the stained glass dome added by the second owner of the mansion Lucius George Fisher in 1900 was one of my favorite parts. I found the museum by accident when looking for something to read at my AirBnB. I came across a catalogue from when the museum hosted an exhibit on Downton Abbey consumes. It ended up being one of the highlights of my trip as I love historic houses.

[@schmancy2978]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@lauraguida8482]

I've been there as well when they had The Downton Abbey costume exhibit. If you thought that mansion was great, take a trip to Newport RI. It's honestly the mother lode of Gilded Age mansions.

[@ladyhonor822]

ON THE SOUTHSIDE OF CHICAGO... BAD BAD LEROY ---Jim Croce Philadelphia USA ❤️

[@fredrahbar5678]

W🎉W, thank you so much for finding the 💎 Gem$ of Chicago, Incredible Research 👋👋👋

[@schmancy2978]

Our pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@exdus235]

When the Wrigley mansion was owned by a private individual, I was taken there one day as a guest and got to tour the floors and rooms in awe. One room contained just a bed and a dresser and as I entered, a very cold, scary, disturbing, unsettling vibe enveloped me. When I eventually finished the rest of my house tour, and went back downstairs to where the owner was living (in just a few rooms), I described the creepy feeling experienced in that one sparse bedroom. The owner said: "Oh yes, many people have commented about that feeling from that same room." I have always wondered what happened there to leave such a distinct chill in an otherwise warm, inviting old home.

[@schmancy2978]

Perhaps this has to do with why the family never moved back in.

[@proudlycanadian3023]

Another reason to be deeply in love with Pixie ASMR/CHICAGO!

[@angeladavis2010]

As usual, exceptional job! Thank you

[@schmancy2978]

Our pleasure! Thank you too!

[@vincentmancini6279]

Chicago HAD many beautiful and outstanding mansions of various architectural styles. As view by me in the 1940s: the Vanderbilt Manson diagonally across from the Drake hotel which had a tunnel leading from the mansion to the Drake, the Potter-Palmer Mansion, the Stevenson Mansion, The Kohlor Mansion to name just a few which have all been torn down. Sad

[@vincentmancini6279]

From what I remember the Robbie House had hipped roofs.

[@AlliaWilson]

Brilliant video, currently on another binge of your fancy mansions videos and enviously looking at these from the other side of the world

[@schmancy2978]

Glad you like them! Thank you!

[@therilwan8448]

Thank you for a nice presentation. I'm a Chicagoan and for sure I'll do a drive-by at this location; you never know with youtuber money in the near future I may be able to purchase a couple...Thanks for sharing.

[@schmancy2978]

Thanks for watching!

[@ZalthorAndNoggin]

No competition there for me as to which of these beauties is my favourite. Winner by a mile is the Hermann Weinhardt Gingerbread House. Glorious!

[@WaltANelsonPHD]

Thanks for showing us this selection of mansions.

[@schmancy2978]

Our pleasure. Thank you for watching!

[@tthappyrock368]

I love the Bavarian gingerbread house!

[@dennisdeluca7115]

My mother and her family lived in the coach house behind the cardinals mansion in the 30s 40s and 50s for my grandfather was cardinal Stritch and Mundulein chauffeur , William Gibbons was his name , he retired in 1959 , so he had to move out . There was a horse stable on the grounds which gave my Uncle Donald Gibbons his start as one of Illinois greatest and longest Illinois born racehorses trainer. My fathers family lived a rock throw away from the GOLDCOAST on GOETHE ST, his last name was DeLuca , his mother came to the UNITED STATES in the 1910s Mary GILABARTO DELUCA had five sons and two daughters , all 5 of her sons fought bravely in WWII , and all came home , My father was the only one wounded , nearly died, 6 days before Germany surrendered. My father NICHOLAS was 18 years and eight months old when he was wounded, imagine that at 18 , they put a rifle in your hand and sent you off to war , along with all 4 of your brothers , they all served proudly. Many Italians and Irish found love and married in those two neighborhoods, best part of CHICAGO , the city that brought together people that were born so different but came together the AMERICAN WAY !!!!

[@schmancy2978]

Beautifully said. Thank you for sharing your family’s history with us!

[@MrLookitspam]

I love Chicago however my husband is a Detroit boy down to his toes so here I am in Michigan!

[@leahcimthgirw3163]

I live in rockford and weve got a Frank Lloyd Wright house out here too luckily

[@LJB103]

Elinor Medill and her sister Josephine inherited the Chicago Tribune from their father Joseph. She owned the paper; her husband was a well-paid employee. I would like to see what the basement under the front hall of the Nickerson mansion (Dreihaus Museum) looks like. Seeing the mansion while it was still an art gallery, I was told that there is quite a number of supports needed to hold up the weight of it: the 1st floor's floor, walls and staircase are all marble (plus what you show on the 2nd floor). The granite ("Milford pink") for the Glessner House comes from my hometown. Sometimes referred to as Braggville granite, but Braggville is a part of Milford. Excellent choice of mansions. Too bad you didn't pan over and show the next door August Dewes (Francis' brother) house during the 6th house portion.

[@schmancy2978]

Excellent tidbits of information. All so informative! Thank you for watching and sharing!

[@doorwaysofchicago]

Love this video and thank you for giving my photography credit for the Hermann Weinhardt Home in Wicker Park- appreciate it!

[@schmancy2978]

Thank you too!

[@jennibennecke669]

I have to ask.... Any good haunting stories from your experience?

[@collector8781]

Great video-Thanks. I still haven't been to Robie and I am a fan of FLW...

[@schmancy2978]

Thanks for watching!

[@colecarpenter3022]

Excellent Video

[@schmancy2978]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the visit.

[@CrimsonRaven51]

Back in 1974 I used to work at the Playboy Mansion in Chicago. The inside included a swimming pool, game room, underground bar and one lane bowling alley. Good memories. Too bad no photos of the inside.

[@schmancy2978]

Fascinating! Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@tedrowland8672]

20 MOST INCREDIBLE SHACKS IN NEW YORK

[@nickdirscherl653]

Good list.

[@schmancy2978]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!

[@gogokrista]

I adore the Hermann Weinhardt House though I didn't know what it was called until I watched this. My favorite club to see a concert was around the corner (the Double Door), and I used to park on Pierce on a fairly regular basis when I went there. I'd always take a minute to soak in the house's glory before heading over to the show.

[@jamesrichardson3322]

Come visit the greatest city in the world 🌎 Chicago, and come enjoy the Zoo, museums and restaurants and etc. I walked by the John Raap House in Wicker Park and few other Victoria homes many times.

[@schmancy2978]

Thanks for the tips!

[@jamesrichardson3322]

@@schmancy2978 There is lot more see and do day and night 🌃 in Chicago. Go see the Chicago White Sox, Cubs, Bulls , Blackhawk games. Blues clubs and Jazz clubs, Clubs. . If want see the house you showed, take tour 🚌 bus. Don't go on the Southside by yourself, the South side is unsafe .

[@williamkazak469]

Great video. It is very nice to be rich.

[@schmancy2978]

It certainly is. Thanks for watching!

[@lischellejones]

I’ve seen the one in Hyde park many times as a kid only on the outside passing by, it always made me catch my breath. Beautiful. ✨

[@karentaylor9446]

No MarshallField house? He also had one on Prairie. Last I checked T was condos. Beautiful place.

[@schmancy2978]

Good one! Thank you!

[@charlesblackman1236]

I like the Wrigley Mansion myself

[@shaylanewlife]

I miss living in my city. ❤❤ I'm thinking about moving back a year or 2.

[@sandragruhle6288]

One does not “lay low,” but “lies low.” Interesting! On various trips/ week-ends in Chicago, I have seen many of these homes and wondered about their history. Thanks.

[@bethbartlett5692]

*"Chicago is, My Kinda Town!"* My home city! My pick, #6 Dewes House ✓ @ 6:07

[@joycemiller-bean1814]

I really enjoyed your tour;it was informative, engaging and the background on the mansions was well researched. I also appreciated the way you put the name of the architect for each house on the top of each image. Well done! I was born and reared in Chicago and I have visited four of the mansions that you showed including the Clarke House, which my Dad and I watched being moved in 1977, the year before I got married. Interesting note. Years later, my then teenaged daughter and I toured the Clarke House and two of the very nice ladies who were longtime docents told us that it was haunted and they both had seen a woman in older era clothes in the house.

[@cocoaorange1]

It is possible.

[@schmancy2978]

Sounds about right for a home of that age. Deceased inhabitants always like to linger in their homes. Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@renevallee4217]

Loved your Chicago Mansions---I think youmissed the one owned by the McVoy family at 3030 Lakeshore Drive. That one is also spectacular...

[@schmancy2978]

Thanks for the info!

[@renevallee4217]

@@schmancy2978 That house at 3030 Lakeshore Drive owned by the McVoys--also had an interesting history--Old Lady McVoy once Mr. McVoy died--married an Italian Count Jeunome (?)--Park Bernet did the auction there in thelate 1930's(?)--One of the daughters Celeste--Married Walter Kohler of Kohler Wisconsin...etc...Beautiful property...

[@KOOLBadger]

My Family Mansion is Pleasant Home, Oak Park, Illinois. 7 miles from the city. 40 million dollars now..

[@schmancy2978]

Ka-ching, ka-ching!!! 👍

[@KOOLBadger]

@@schmancy2978 The Historical Society owns it now. I have no cash..🤣

[@kurtpeterson315]

@@KOOLBadger Your parents got suckered into donating it?

[@KOOLBadger]

@@kurtpeterson315 no, big property tax.. so.. We gave it up.. My great uncles..

[@krishnaghosh2114]

Beautifulresidences

[@exdus235]

There was a time when the Nickerson mansion housed an audio vIsual company called Pinn Productions. I used to work at Pinn. Quite a great building to have experienced. 👌

[@schmancy2978]

Thanks for sharing!

[@irissantiago9652]

The Logan square boulevard has lots of old well kept mansions too that weren’t mentioned

[@reginalda99]

I grew up in the Kewood/Hyde Park area. I never knew the the name of the McGill House (11:05) as kids, we just called it the castle.

[@davidliao8031]

Amazing!!! Thank you for this posting as i sell dreams in Chicagoland Suburbs.

[@schmancy2978]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@newshound64]

Number 4, the Glessner House, once stood among mansions on its fashionable street. Today, the Glessner House stands alone. So many, many of the grand houses such as those that you are describing in this video, have been lost.

[@schmancy2978]

Well said!

[@laurielaurie8280]

I love the Gingerbread mansion the best.

[@EarlyLegends]

Forgot to mention the swift mansion on 4500 S Michigan Ave 60653

[@schmancy2978]

Good one! 👍

[@Shelly-mz9yf]

WOW hands down #12 is the most beautiful painted lady thus far that I've ever seen. I'm always amazed at the architecture found in this country i almost wanna cry seeing the awesome gingerbread details 🥰

[@schmancy2978]

Well said! Thank you for watching!

[@juanlugo7642]

It would be AMAZING 2 live in the old PLAYBOY or Wrigley mansion.....☻

[@shirley9209]

Hansel and Gretel, house l like.

[@chrisclouds4182]

You could make a whole video on the houses in Kenwood. Another neighborhood which most folks are sleeping on is the Jackson Park Highlands, some incredible houses there too!

[@schmancy2978]

Thanks. Will add it to our list for the future.

[@davidkennedy6022]

What is the soccer federation though ? Cause every time I pass the Kimble I get segs lounge vibes

[@fredcotter9672]

They are all great but my favorite is the Playboy mansion.

[@JuanSebastianTorresFigueroa]

Schmancy Urban Memories ;)

[@bettythompson4972]

I knew and worked for Richard Driehaus.

[@jeremystammich3744]

The Wrigley mansion has been completely restored. I pass ot often

[@claudermiller]

#13 the William Kimball House was used as the archbishop's residence in primal fear with Richard Geere and Ed Norton if I'm not mistaken.

[@schmancy2978]

Thank you for sharing!

[@erolcims6664]

You needed to get up to Buena Park IMO.

[@miltonrivero1017]

I was born and raised in Chicago il what a very beautiful and attractive city it is ! my favorite is dewes house i would like to have my wedding there and hold a private event . my second favorite is The Countiss Mansion i look forward to visiting both places on my return from London England .

[@schmancy2978]

Thanks for sharing!

[@a.8774]

What about my Mansion? I own the original Swift Mansion Hyde Park built 1869. There are several Swift Mansions but I own the Original built for Gustavus Franklin Swift who founded a meat-packing empire in the Midwest during the late 19th century, over which he presided until his death. He is credited with the development of the first practical ice-cooled railroad car which allowed his company to ship dressed meats to all parts of the country and even abroad, which ushered in the "era of cheap beef." Swift pioneered the use of animal by-products for the manufacture of soap, glue, fertilizer, various types of sundries, even medical products. You can find Swift meats in grocery stores today.

[@schmancy2978]

That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheeOne4.44]

Wow I live in Hyde Park.. I'd like to walk by your Mansion. I'll Google "The Original Swift Mansion". I'm also a Writer & Creator, so maybe one day we can Film something there? It's refreshing to see this from another Black Woman🌺

[@a.8774]

@@TheeOne4.44 I haven't done any filming or print work at the Mansion since the pandemic. Are you registered with the Chicago Film Office or Illinois Film Office? What type of filming do you do?

[@pinker812]

Evanston mansions please.

[@SweetChicagoGator]

I resided 8y in Wicker Park and saw the Hoyne St & Wrigley mansions. I worked for Hugh Hefner from 1979. An intellectual, but a hedonist who wasted his talents living in his pajamas ! 🙄 His dissertation on sexuality & Society is an awesome piece of work !

[@sandragruhle6288]

He hit all the tourist digs. Guilty as charged, and glad of it.😇😞😎Golly, noe that you mention it, I was at the Playboy Mansion decades ago! I find it interesting that one of the most elegant was built by an Archbishop. While the mention of the Chicago Fire is expected, we can assume some of the entry level workers in the lumber industry were indigenous people, and if the radical right has its way, it may fade into oblivion, but the Peshtigo Fire in Wisconsin on the same day cost many more fatalities, between 1,500 and 2,500 (more likely the latter), and destroyed the entire town and over 1.25 million acres, yet it is seldom mentioned outside Wisconsin. Many threw themselves into the river to escape the flames.

[@mimirodolfo3689]

Sadly, the surgical museum is now defunct, as the property was sold within the last 2-3 years. I had the privilege of visiting the museum on two occasions many years ago. It was fascinating to tour it, if not a bit eerie, with the looming figures in the paintings and the statues in the hall of surgeons.

[@schmancy2978]

It’s still open as per their website. Thanks for watching!

[@mimirodolfo3689]

Wow! Perhaps they were closed indefinitely due to the coronavirus, and the new owner has allowed them to remain after all! So relieved! 👍🏻

[@michellerinard982]

They never closed down, your information is incorrect. The next door building sold, not the International Museum of Surgical Science. Same owners since 1935.

[@krystleirvin6733]

🙂

[@captainernest4307]

Main building on the I I T campus

[@deandrep4380]

Hugh Hefner Hometown of Chicago Moved in LA Mansion

[@francymurphy2887]

I’m a fool for Frank Loyd Wright

[@dogsinspace27]

So many beautiful homes in Chicago (a lot not mentioned in this video) were bulldozed ☹

[@energyasylum997]

How come R Kelly’s mansion isn’t on here??

[@julietrask7497]

The last house was subdivided into apartments. The outside of the house remains the same.

[@3810-dj4qz]

Is that a ghost at 4:27 in the background on the left? LOL What is that???

[@schmancy2978]

Good eye! One could never know with these old homes?

[@MrLookitspam]

Robbie house is my idea of a mansion.

[@devoradamaris]

🕊🌎🕊🕊🫂

[@willyjoerockhead]

It's no longer a mansion after they are split up for condos.

[@terrabaker2232]

Come on out to the Northwest suburbs Barrington is old money wealth

[@krissolson7043]

Chicago is actually the 4th largest city. Houston is 3rd.

[@rooseveltsimpkinsjr.6954]

HOW COME THERE WASN'T ANY INFORMATION ON THE ADDRESS OF 2700 NORTH. LAKEVIEW. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ADDRESS OF 2700 NORTH. LAKEVIEW WAS OWNED BY SOME JEWISH IMMIGRANT(S) THAT PERISHED IN THE TITANIC.🤔

[@schmancy2978]

Good ones! Thanks for sharing!

[@tripyramidpictures9224]

What is further ado?

[@schmancy2978]

Further delay

[@EduardoGarcia-vu5ts]

You do know the south side has REAL mansions right? just south of the south loop

[@debbieflaherty1975]

You didn’t show the Froman home. You know….ABE FROMAN…. the Sausage King of Chicago.

[@schmancy2978]

lol! Couldn’t figure out the location. We think John Hughes took the address to his grave.

[@westyspringfield]

Nice video. However, if you visit Chicago, Dreihaus is pronounced Dree-house, not Dry-house. Well worth visiting the Dreihaus Museum.

[@schmancy2978]

Good to know! Thanks!

[@truthillinois6397]

The Archbishop’s Residence is no longer being used by the Cardinal or any priests. Cardinal Cupich does not reside there like previous Cardinals. The residence is used by secretaries and office staff and the inside is maintained by nuns. Cupich wants to sell the mansion which had a value of $14 million in 2019.

[@stevenwendellnelson5228]

Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Consistently Pray for forgiveness, guidance in a good (positive) direction, and for help against evil. Pray to be saved from hell (whatever that may be). Pray for your friends and your family too, it only takes a minute or so/less at a time to pray. Do it and your life will slowly get better, or maybe quickly. It probably just depends on you and the kind of person you are/have been. Don't wait until its too late and you have to suffer the consequences of built up bad karma from immoral acts/unrepented sins. Maybe together we can help make the world a better place by changing ourselves for the better, and changing things around us for the better. And addressing/thanking the CREATOR, LORD GOD at the beginning and end of your prayers would be a good idea 😊 Or just be my friend if you don't want to say the prayer 😄 I'm trying to help you get right with the LORD 🙏 Amen. 🙏 I have worded a short prayer for you to say if you are not sure what words to use, it may not be the best but here it is 😊 '' CREATOR, LORD GOD, Please forgive me and my friends and my family for our immoral acts, please help guide us in a positive direction and please help us against evil. Please save us from Hell and have mercy on our souls. Thank you CREATOR, LORD GOD. Amen. '' Please say this at least once a day for at least a month, do it longer if you want to and can 😊🙏 You should prostrate yourself if you don't want to do spoken prayer, or do both 🙏☺ Please worship the LORD GOD and not any idol. Say ' Om Namah Shivaya ' out loud or in your head 108 times, or try to do it 1008 times 😊 try to do it everyday if you want

[@bitterbeauty711]

He made a fortune selling quack medications but was also a well respected doctor. Only in Chicago!

[@timpounds42069]

ive put up christmas lights in chicago this video gives me ptsd.

[@DeadAbeVigoda]

Clarke Ford house is maybe the 2nd oldest house in Chicago. The oldest is the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House which was built in 1833.

[@nes999]

Its kinda crazy to think that the Noble-Seymour-crippen is still almost 10 yrs newer than the Dowling House.

[@DeadAbeVigoda]

@@nes999 I was there when Dowling was first opened to the public in the 70s. Kind of a spooky place.

[@mr.p7616]

Don’t forget the crime and Crooked politicians. And absurd taxes

[@janewasson4845]

Who was it who bought up land around the lake, ( l think before the fire) planned to build himself, and later, only allow buyers of his own social class? Palmer doesn't seem right.

[@zikster99]

0:32 Chicago is not the third largest city anymore! Miami is after NYC, LA...

[@johndonnell4381]

FyI. It's pronounced DREE haus

[@traceytrotter9934]

More interior photos please! And original buildings, not these updated ones.