Historic Gilded Age mansion that once housed the Scottish Rite hits the market on Chicago’s Gold Coast for $18.5 million

One of Chicago’s grand Gilded Age mansions, packed with extraordinary history, has hit the market for $18.5 million after serving as a stronghold of the Scottish Rite for more than 100 years.

Built in 1888, the striking estate has since been renovated for modern living and lavish entertaining, but it still retains many of the lavish features that wouldn’t look out of place on the set of the hit HBO Max series about that glittering era.

The historic estate was one of the first to define Chicago’s chic Gold Coast neighborhood after the Great Chicago Fire. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, the neighborhood is the equivalent of New York City’s Upper East Side and is filled with some of the city’s chicest townhouses, townhomes, and high-rise apartments.

The stately Thomas House stands its ground among the other large homes in the area. It was designed in 1888 by Cobb & Frost, the famous architects behind the Newberry Library and the University of Chicago.

Built of solid red rock, the estate features a lavish six-bedroom, seven-bathroom, three-story mansion, and an additional one-bedroom, one-bathroom carriage house above a three-car garage. Combined, the two buildings represent a total of 13,400 square feet of living space.

The manor is nationally registered as a historic monument and has a fascinating history. Originally built for a lawyer of the name John H. ThompsonFor more than a century it was owned by the Scottish Rite, a fraternal organization within the context of Freemasonry.

In 2009, James “Jimmy” Dremonasfounder of the Pete’s Fresh Market grocery chain, bought the house from the Scottish Rite for $3.1 million, with the aim of restoring it for his wife and children. It had not been used as a family home for over 100 years, so a lot of work needed to be done.

It is estimated that Demonas spent around $7 million on the restoration, aimed at retaining its historic charm and as many original features as possible. The restoration took years, and by the time it was completed, the children were grown and gone, and the estate seemed too spacious for two people.

However, it has proven to be a difficult task to find a buyer who has sufficient ambitions – and enough money to take over the management of the house.

Dremonas first put the mansion on the market in 2018 for $21.9 million, and it has been on the market ever since. At one time, the carriage house alone was available to rent for $4,000 a month. The current asking price of $18.5 million works out to approximately $1,380 per square foot.

It is widely recognized that Dremonas has done a spectacular job in the renovation, carefully combining 19th century grandeur with modern luxury. Beautifully restored original features include a mosaic floor, custom millwork, hand-carved marble fireplaces from Italy and custom stained glass.

Beautiful wooden features can be found throughout the house, harking back to the original features, including bespoke beams, doors and cladding made from solid Honduras mahogany. The staircase, also handmade from Honduras mahogany, is inspired by the original balusters of the country house.

Unobtrusive modern features include an elevator serving all three levels, a state-of-the-art HVAC system, an integrated audio system, and full smart home capabilities.

The home is entered through a grand foyer, clad in mahogany from Honduras, and replete with handcrafted columns, custom stained glass windows and doors, marble floors imported from Turkey, and one of several hand-carved marble fireplaces.

The foyer leads to a huge great room with a Swarovski crystal chandelier, a hand-carved book-matched onyx fireplace from Pakistan, more mahogany woodwork with built-in cabinets, silk wall coverings and marble floors.

The ground floor also contains a spacious kitchen overlooking a walled and covered courtyard with fountains, a dining area and a fireplace. The kitchen is extremely spacious and features two dining areas, high-end appliances, a large dining and prep island, all surrounded by custom cabinetry.

The second level is punctuated by an impressive library with more ornate woodwork and a spectacular crystal chandelier.

Additionally, the primary suite is located on the second floor. It is highlighted by a wet bar and luxurious bath, and a three-season screened-in porch. On the second floor there is also an en-suite office or second bedroom.

Three additional bedrooms and a relaxing sitting room are located on the top floor.

But it’s the lower level that really dazzles. Designed for relaxation and entertainment, it features two luxurious lounge areas, a paneled gentleman’s pub with an ornate bar on one side and an extensive wall-mounted wine display on the other.

There is also a lavish media room with a hand-carved Italian Botticino marble fireplace and marble floors with bronze inlay.

Then there’s the spa, which puts the people at most high-end health clubs to shame. Highlights include an extensive sauna and jacuzzi, a “steam suite”, spa changing rooms, a massage room and a “zen” room. A Murano glass mural with an integrated waterfall and glass-blown ceilings add unique artistic elements to the space.

The carriage house is just as well appointed, with more custom wood paneling, vaulted ceilings, wood floors and an open kitchen with a large dining island and marble countertops.

Gold Coast residents have been driving past the Thompson House for generations and wondering about it. Today, it has a significant following on social media.

“One of the first posts I saw is that the owner has done an impeccable job on the restoration and furnishing,” one fan wrote on Facebook. “The combination of making it fit for the modern age and honoring the past is beautiful.”

“Definitely worth every cent!” another added, while a third commented: “The wood!!!! Beautiful.”