“Empire” mansion still looking for buyer after 6 years and 40% price cut

A 17,000-square-foot Barrington Hills mansion frequently seen on the Fox TV series “Empire” has yet to find a buyer despite a 40% price chop from its original asking.

The home at 45 Lakeview Lane originally listed for $15.9 million in June 2013. Now it’s listed at $9.5 million, according to Crain’s.

The 8.5-acre estate regularly has been featured as the mansion of actor Terrance Howard’s Lucious Lyon character since 2014, but owners Sam and Geralyn Cecola have been hesitant to market those ties, @properties listing agent Michael LaFido told Crain’s.

But now the Cecolas are touting the “Empire” connection in hopes of finally landing a buyer. Sam Cecola owns the Admiral Theater strip club on Chicago’s North Side.

The home has five bedrooms, 11 total bathrooms, a large outdoor pool, garage parking for six cars and lakes on either side. The Cecolas built the house in 2008.

Fox announced last month the upcoming sixth season of “Empire” will be its last.

The Chicago area’s sputtering market for expensive older houses is taking a heavy toll on the Barrington area. The number of homes sold in Barrington Hills, North Barrington, South Barrington and Barrington declined by about 14 percent between the first eight months of 2017 and the same period last year, Crain’s reported in September.

In March, a 21,000-square-foot mansion set on 22 acres in Barrington Hills sold for $4.5 million, the most expensive sale in the suburb since 2012. [Crain’s] — John O’Brien