Philanthropist Ann Lurie is doing a solid for real estate junkies by listing her 18,500 square-foot Gold Coast mansion for sale. The 1891 limestone spectacle sits on a nearly-half-acre lot and hosts 12 beds and 12 baths. The property taxes on a beast like this, on some of the city's priciest land, are a staggering $134,000 a year — almost as scary as the $18,750,000 asking price. The Tribune's Bob Goldsborough reports that Lurie purchased the home 20 years ago from developer Phil Farley. Development is also how the Lurie fortune was formed (the late Robert Lurie was Sam Zell's partner), and it's largely being spent on charities and gifts to hospitals. As over the top as Lurie's home might be it never rises to the occasion, preferring elegant original woodwork, stained glass (including a stained glass kitchen skylight), warm common areas, and passive bedrooms where that most humble of furnishings — the Adirondack Chair — makes an appearance. The solarium is another pleasant-looking space, as are the large gardens. The only instance where restraint goes out the window is with the property's 10-car capacity.
·Listing: 1547 N Dearborn Pkwy [Koenig & Strey]
·Ann Lurie lists Gold Coast mansion for $18.75M [Trib]
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