STEPPING INTO A FAIRYTALE

From the moment Chris Epstein and Jordan McGee set eyes on the sprawling 1938 Shagbark manor in Mettawa, they knew it was “the one.” Seven years later, architect Walter Frazier’s storied masterpiece has been meticulously transformed and is ready to begin its next chapter.

WHEN CHRIS EPSTEIN AND JORDAN MCGEE stumbled upon an 11-acre country estate in Mettawa called Shagbark, it was love at first sight. A real estate meet-cute, if you will, for a power couple on the go.

“From the moment we arrived, it felt like the place we had been searching for,” says Epstein, explaining that they had been in constant motion, dividing their time between a high-rise on Wacker Drive, a major development in Libertyville, and frequent travel across the country. “The North Shore had already drawn us in with its character and community, but this house had major presence.”

The storybook estate was gracious, timeless, and quietly confident. It also had a prestigious pedigree.

Acclaimed architect Walter Frazier was hired by the Getz family to design the 1938 home and gardens, which once spanned 60 acres. A 17-room Georgian manor with French École influences, it was one of the North Shore’s grand dames. More than just a house; it was a family seat, one that stayed in the Getz lineage for more than six decades.

“What captivated me was the opportunity to evolve a masterpiece,” says Epstein, who has spent more than 30 years restoring and elevating similar properties. “Shagbark is the kind of estate that rarely comes along—a true architectural statement rooted in America’s English heritage with a subtle French influence. It had incredible bones, but more importantly, it had a story waiting to be continued.”

After closing on the property in September 2019, the pair got to work doing just that.

While Epstein has described arriving at Shagbark’s long, tree-lined driveway and gate as “literally being transported into a magnificent fairytale,” the property’s aging infrastructure was layered behind superficial updates. Their mission was clear. Rather than merely updating the historic home, they needed to rebuild it while respecting its original DNA.

“Like many estates of its era, the original layout reflected a different way of living—staff quarters, a secluded kitchen, fragmented spaces,” says McGee. “We’ve re-mastered the floor plan for modern life.”

At the heart of the home, the former library is now a showpiece kitchen featuring custom Clive Christian cabinetry paired with a bespoke La Cornue Grand Palais 180. The former kitchen was transformed into an additional first floor primary suite complete with sitting room, dressing rooms, a secret garden, and a luxury bath.

Ancillary buildings were similarly reimagined with practicality in mind. A former kennel was repurposed as a fitness center with a spa bath. “Maintaining the original charm and character was crucial for us,” McGee continues. “The greenhouse, originally built by Lord & Burnham in 1960, was restored and the attached potting shed was re-imagined into a cigar lounge. Custom humidors, hair-on-hide stools, a vintage British tufted Chesterfield sofa, and a 65-inch television with surround sound and high speed internet were brought together to the create the ultimate man cave!”

Outside, the multimillion-dollar transformation continued with expansive landscape designs by John Mariani, including the addition of 200 mature trees, Virginia bluestone knee walls, and seven acres of native prairies buffering 3.5 acres of irrigated, manicured grounds. A pool and extensive patios are also connected by outdoor garden rooms, anchored by the restored greenhouse.

The list of upgrades and enhancements is extensive, including the addition of a 600-gallon saltwater aquarium and a gift-wrapping room. Eleven bathrooms were renovated and original windows were restored or replicated with exacting precision. Other historic details, including paneling, millwork, brick ceilings, and reclaimed timbers, were meticulously added.

“The Ludowici clay roof was restored and shouldn’t need major attention for another 75 to 100 years,” adds Epstein. “Even the unseen details were elevated. All new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. A whole-house reverse osmosis system delivering near laboratory-grade water purity and 28 zones of indoor and outdoor high fidelity deliver a whole-of-property audio experience that is Next Level.”

Going back to that fairytale entrance, the driveway was also reimagined with equestrian fencing and a gated entry that feels original to the estate.

“Today, it’s an 87-year-old masterpiece that is as efficient and easy to manage as a newly constructed property, but with a foundational rebuild that will keep for the next three generations of owners,” says McGee, noting that what defines Shagbark is how it lives. “You feel the magnitude of history, but none of the burden. There’s a quiet sense of continuity. You’re aware that this home is really, really special—it’s been lived in, well cared for, and cherished for nearly a century, and that you’re simply the next steward in that story.”

As Epstein and McGee prepare to move on to their next chapter and pass the estate on to its next owner, they reflect on their time living at Shagbark and what makes it such a unique property.

“What’s most striking is the sense of escape. The privacy, the approach, the land—it creates a feeling of being worlds away, even though we’re minutes from everything. It’s peaceful without ever feeling isolated,” says Epstein. “Ultimately, living here feels like a blessing. It’s not just about owning a historic home—it’s about continuing the legacy of a property that honors the uniquely great American success story.”

The Shagbark estate at 25185 Shagbark Road in Mettawa is expected to hit the market this month. For more information, contact Kim Shortsle and Carleigh Mia Goldsberry of Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty in Lake Forest at 847-987-5702 or email at [email protected].