“Once I thought that Lake Forest was the most glamorous place in the world. Maybe it was…”
~ F. Scott Fitzgerald
The land plan for Westleigh Farms embraces agricultural heritage, cultural inspiration and sustainable practices on a 50 acre parcel located in the geographic center of Lake Forest, a north shore suburb of Chicago. The plan carefully situates 34 moderately scaled and sustainably designed homes to overlook a 15 acre centrally located ornamental orchard. Incorporated into the plan is the historic main house designed in1904 by Howard Van Doren Shaw. Built as a summer retreat for banker Charles King and his family – including his daughter Ginerva, early love interest of F.Scott Fitzgerald – this scene is said to have been his inspiration for The Great Gatsby.
The David Adler designed servants lodge building is adaptively reused to become a community center with a terraced garden overlooking the existing pond and future wetlands expanding accross the site. In addition to the central lawn and orchard, a walking trail connecting to Lake Forest Open Lands Preserve provides extended access to abundant natural features; native woods, ponds and wetlands. Sustainable design elements include the use of reclaimed brick street pavers, narrowed roadways, moderate home scale, the re-use of existing buildings, and the natural bio-filtration of stormwater management.
