Stone Manor
Stone Manor is the largest estate ever built on Geneva Lake and probably the most talked about. This colossal lakefront property is often mistaken as the Wrigley Mansion by tourists talking on the streets of Lake Geneva. Otto Young, started building this historic home 1899, and originally called the mansion Younglands. Otto came from an affluent family in Germany, however when he came to the USA in the mid 1800’s, he was virtually broke. He started his American business life selling costume jewelry from a pushcart on the sidewalks of New York City. Over the years, his business skills blossomed and he stockpiled an enormous fortune.
After the Chicago Fire of 1871, Mr. Young moved to Chicago and began investing heavily in real estate in the burned out city. Many thought that Chicago would never rebuild after the devastation of the fire, but Otto Young saw the opportunity. Much of the downtown Chicago Real Estate he bought is known today as the “Loop”. When he died in 1906, his fortune was estimated to be over $25 million. If you were to use a basic inflation calculator to make a current day valuation…his fortune would be close to a billion dollars.
The original construction plans for the home were much more humble and a $15,0000 budget was set. Like many dream home builders, Otto continued to make additions to the plans and by the time the home was completed and all of the ornate details were in place…the cost was close to $2 million. In total, there are seven levels in this historic estate. Complete with 2 sub-basements, 4 main levels, and a sprawling roof terrace. A 250-foot wide veranda completes this architecture wonder that stretches an amazing 174 feet in the front.
The exterior walls feature Bedford limestone, while the interior walls are covered in Tennessee marble. Hand laid parquet tile floors complete this majestic masterpiece. When completed in 1901, all of the doorknobs, plumbing and electrical fixtures on the main level were 14kt gold plated, with matching solid sterling silver on the second. Ceilings in the mansion are hand-carved out of mortar and lavishly decorated by imported European artists with breath-taking oil paintings.
On the main floor was a beautiful ballroom, complete with crystal chandelier, huge mirrors, and ornate pink marble fireplace. The hand carved dining room table could seat 100 guests. Also on the main floor was a parlor, library, music room, game room, butler’s panty, and a vast kitchen.
The second and third levels were basically bedrooms and bedroom suites. The fourth floor was designed for recreation and even contained a gymnasium and a miniature golf course. Originally the roof was a garden, but there have been some changes throughout the years, including a rooftop swimming pool. Even the two level basement was elaborate including a three-lane bowling alley, jewelry vault, huge laundry and drying rooms and a monster coal storage room with a double boiler system. The lowest level was used for ice storage. In the winter they would harvest large blocks of ice from the lake and store them for summer use as a primitive air-conditioning system.
Otto Young only enjoyed the home for 5 years before his death, but the mansion remained in the family until 1939 when Young’s granddaughter presented the home and about 8 acres of surrounding land to the Episcopal Church to be used as a private school for girls. Unfortunately, the school failed financially after a few years and financial problems have followed ever since.
In the early 1960’s the mansion was taken over by Walworth County for back taxes. A tax auction was held and it was bought by a developer for just $75,000 in back taxes. Since then, several million dollars have been spent in the restoration of the building. In the 1970’s the main level was transformed into an elegant French restaurant known as Stone Manor Inn. The restaurant experienced financial problems and was forced to close. Next came the Christmas Tree Museum. Most recently it was purchased by another Chicagoan and converted into 6 luxury condominiums.