Architect Adrian Smith undertakes restoration of abandoned Lake Forest estate

The architect famous for designing the world’s tallest buildings, the Burj Khalifa and the Jeddah Tower (if completed) in the Middle East, has taken on a challenging restoration project closer to home.

Ardian Smith’s current endeavor involves reviving a deteriorating 4-acre 1930s Lake Forest estate, Chicago Crain’s reported.

Acquired for $2.75 million in 2017, the mansion, known as Innisfail II, had been abandoned for 15 years, succumbing to neglect and the ravages of time.

Smith and his wife, Nancy, initially aimed to revive the estate and breathe new life into the property. However, the extent of the dilapidation was a surprise, with the greenhouse exhibiting broken glass and overgrown weeds, and the main house concealing more than 75 broken pipes within its walls. 

Despite the challenges, the Smith family, alongside up to 50 workers, embarked on an extensive restoration, including modernizing the lighting and mechanical systems and clearing the overgrown landscape and repairing the greenhouse.

While the Smiths don’t plan to make the estate their primary residence, they have integrated their workspaces within the mansion. 

Adrian’s office serves as a base for his architectural firm, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, while Nancy utilizes a painting studio. 

Additionally, the estate hosts various activities, including painting classes led by a resident teacher and events organized by nonprofits. The family is considering transforming the property into a community arts center.

Preserving the estate’s original design elements, such as the clay tile roofs, crown moldings, and wood paneling, has been a priority. Though most of the aesthetic reflects the 1930s era, some modern adaptations, such as closed-circuit TVs and an electric hand dryer, have been retained. 

Adrian has also designed a kitchen that can be installed if necessary, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining the estate’s historical integrity.

— Ted Glanzer