Buyers looking to own a bit of history now have the novel opportunity to live in a home on the Lake Forest summer estate that served as inspiration for the famous book, “The Great Gatsby.” On what is the largest undeveloped parcel of land in Lake Forest, Ill., Winnetka-based North Shore Builders has announced the start of sales for Westleigh Farm, a community of 34 luxury single-family homes nestled among 47 acres of lush gardens, woodlands, ponds, a meadow, a community lodge and scenic walking path. Four homes have been sold to date.

Located at Ridge and Kennedy roads, Westleigh Farm was originally known as the King Country Estate. Built in 1905 as the summer home of the King family, it was visited frequently by a teenage F. Scott Fitzgerald who was romantically involved with Ginevra King until she ended the relationship. Their breakup inspired the character Daisy Buchanan in Fitzgerald’s acclaimed book, “The Great Gatsby.”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for buyers to live in one of the most coveted and preserved areas in the North Shore – to enjoy the same scenic and tranquil qualities that drew the original owners here more than a century ago and captivated the imagination and heart of one of our country’s greatest writers,” said Bill Ryan, founder and CEO of North Shore Builders.

As part of the estate’s reconfigured land plan, North Shore Builders has demarcated two distinct neighborhoods within the development. The northern portion of the development is The Meadow, which will feature 26 ranch homes surrounding a manicured central lawn that is adorned with multiple species of cherry blossom trees. The Meadow also includes a large pond, a community lodge and stable. The Woods is located at the southern edge of Westleigh Farm and will feature eight custom home sites in a densely timbered area, including the original King mansion, which is for sale.

“Residents of Westleigh Farm will be able to imagine back when this was a regal estate and guests played equestrian sports like hunting and polo in the central lawn area,” said Ryan. “In some ways, we are turning back time to transform this property to its glory days – ensuring that each home will have picturesque and sweeping views of the land’s lush, natural beauty and charm.”

Homes will offer buyers a maintenance-light lifestyle with ranch designs and ¼-acre homesites that include landscaping and snow removal. Priced from $1,099,000, the ranch plans offer 3,523 to 4,500 square feet with three to five bedrooms, 2½ to 3½ baths, separate dining and great rooms, butler’s pantries, covered decks, attached two-to-three car garages and partially finished lower levels. Options call for fully finished lower levels, additional bedrooms and side-load garages.

According to Ryan, Westleigh Farm fills a need in the area for luxury detached single-family homes with first-floor master bedrooms offering such a high level of sophisticated interiors and maintenance-light exteriors. “We know there are buyers out there who want to remain in the area and are ready to transition to a home they can more easily enjoy and manage, but until this community, their options have been basically non-existent,” said Ryan. “This is even more true for those who want a lock-and-leave lifestyle because they travel frequently or have a winter home elsewhere.”

A number of luxury finishes and features are included in the homes, such as 9-foot first-floor ceilings; hardwood flooring throughout the main level, except in bedrooms and baths; a 42-inch fireplace; granite countertops and custom Amish-made maple cabinets in kitchens and baths; a Viking appliance package; and Kohler bathroom fixtures and tubs. Options range from covered decks to full sun rooms. Select home sites also allow for look-out and walk-out lower levels.

And for buyers with mobility issues, homes include wider hallways and doors; master baths with zero-step tile base shower with seat; and sensor lighting in closets, laundry rooms and pantries. There is also the option to add an elevator and a lowered foundation, which allows for a no-step entrance to the home.

As each home offers four distinct architectural elevation styles, exteriors of the homes were designed to blend seamlessly with the scenic setting as well as surrounding housing stock, noted Ryan. “We worked closely with the city of Lake Forest to ensure the homes integrate with the existing architecture of Lake Forest,” Ryan said.

Both the estate’s original mansion and stable were designed by noted architect Howard Van Doren Shaw. There was also a staff quarters lodge on the property, designed by David Adler. North Shore Builders will repurpose and replicate both the stable and lodge for future Westleigh Farm residents. The lodge will be used as a community house, including an outdoor dining and gathering space, which will feature a gravel-and-grass “English drive” and rolling lawn leading to the pond. The stable will be used as a community entryway feature and maintenance facility.

Sales for Westleigh Farm are being managed by ON Collaborative, the new full-service development sales and marketing division of Coldwell Banker. For more information on Westleigh Farm, call (224) 616-5440 or visit www.nsbwestleigh.com. The sales and design center for Westleigh Farm will open at the end of March at 911 Greenbay Road in Winnetka. Interested buyers can call now to set up a tour of the design center. A model home is expected to open on-site in summer 2018.

About North Shore Builders

North Shore Builders has a history of building on Chicago’s North Shore since 2010, focusing primarily on custom homes in Winnetka, Wilmette and Glencoe. North Shore Builders’ foremost objective is to build top-quality, energy-efficient homes that meet today’s energy standards to ensure homebuyers years of low cost, peace-of-mind ownership. For more information, visit www.nsbwestleigh.com.