A Lake Forest, Illinois estate that had a role in Robert Redford’s Oscar-winning film “Ordinary People,” went on sale Monday for $7.49 million.
Redford, whose death at the age of 89 was announced Tuesday, won the Academy Award for Best Director for the 1980 drama starring Mary Tyler Moore and Donald Sutherland. The estate’s sale was first reported by Crain’s Chicago Business, a day prior to news of Redford’s death.
“Ordinary People” was Redford’s feature directorial debut. It told the story of the upper-middle-class Jarrett family living in Lake Forest. The family waspishly endeavors to carry on following the death of their eldest son and the attempted suicide of the younger.
The for-sale mansion, located in the wealthy Chicago suburb on Lake Michigan’s North Shore, was a fitting set piece for Redford’s film. The large red brick Georgian was built in 1907, back when Chicago’s elite rushed to construct estates along the shores of Lake Michigan.
The historic Lake Forest property now belongs to the heirs of the late trucking executive Jack Crowe and his wife Peggy Crowe, Crain’s reported.
The five-bedroom home spans 7,700 square feet and features a limestone entryway, richly furnished sun porches, professionally landscaped gardens and a living room with imported wood paneling. The latter served as the backdrop for a disturbing scene of family tension — one of the scenes that likely contributed to the film’s 1981 Best Picture win.
The scene sees Mary Tyler Moore’s Beth Jarrett shy away from taking a Christmas photo with her youngest son, played by Timothy Hutton. The tension breaks in a dramatic outburst from Hutton.
The home’s sale marks its first return to market in three decades, according to Crain’s.
Listing photos of the property reveal classically waspy interiors with a colorful flair, including a vivid green billiards room, a blue and white sun room, and a butter yellow formal dining room. The frilly decor is masterfully matched, from the bed skirting to the lampshades.
In addition to the country mansion, the estate’s 2.5 acres includes guest houses with additional bedrooms, kitchen and garages, as well as a pool and a tennis court.
Listing agent Marina Carney of Compass called the estate “a legacy house,” and told the outlet that “everything is in meticulous condition.”
Carney and her colleague Andrew Mrowiec declined to comment further on the sale.