Last week owners Jennifer Pritzker, Dawn Overend, and Tom and Sue Zipprich joined Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl for a ceremonial ribbon cutting for the town's newest bed and breakfast. Dubbed The Stone Terrace, the structure was originally built as a Queen Anne Victorian mansion in 1883 before being remodeled in the Tudor revival style by famed local architects Mayo and Mayo in 1910. Pritzker and company bought the decaying property in 2012 with the intentions of transforming it into a luxury bed and breakfast. Located at 1622 Forest Place in Evanston's historic district, the conversion included a full restoration as well as the addition of a new coach house. Extra effort was made to maximize the reuse of original elements of the 19th century structure including the windows, ceiling molding, floors, and fireplace mantles. The Stone Terrace includes five guest bedrooms, spa, gym, sunroom, billiard room, library, and two perennial gardens. Co-owners and long-time Evanstonians Tom and Sue Zipprich will serve as innkeepers.
The Stone Terrace is billionaire Jennifer Pritzker's second bed and breakfast venture to open in the heart of historic Evanston. In 2014 Pritzker and co-owners Jim and Carrie King opened Stone Porch by the Lake, another 19th century Tudor restoration, located at nearby 300 Church Street. Bed and breakfast-style establishments are relatively new to the city of Evanston and were prohibited by city code until recently. The Stone Terrace project faced some neighborhood opposition when first proposed as residents feared increased traffic and the precedent it may set for future commercial projects to infringe on historically residential areas. The Evanston Zoning Board of Appeals actually voted 4-2 against the project in 2013 before it was ultimately approved by the Evanston City Council and work could begin. According to the Stone Terrace's website the bed and breakfast will begin accepting reservations on March 14 with guest rooms becoming available starting April 4.
·The Stone Terrace [website]
·Check Out Jennifer Pritzker's Latest Bed & Breakfast Project [Curbed Chicago]
·Evanston archives [Curbed Chicago]