INCREDIBLY RARE OPPORTUNITY TO OWN YOUR OWN PRIVATE BOTANIC GARDEN! - Welcome to the most spectacular estate in the Midwest. This expansive awe-inspiring 10-acre gated and fenced compound boasts a primary residence, detached two-story 3-car garage with a 4th bay for a private golf cart, a separate gated service entrance driveway, guest house, party room building, professional greenhouse, barn with 3 garage bays, gazebo, hoop house, a children's tree house, train depot, and more! One of the Crown Jewels of this compound is the prototypical full-sized Rico train station containing a one-of-a-kind PRIVATE FULLY-OPERATIONAL O-SCALE MODEL TRAIN MUSEUM, which houses an intricate model replica of Chicago designed and built by the owner! Explore the estate's lush landscape and discover the owner's passion and creative talent for gardening that includes 11 breathtaking themed gardens that took 60 years to cultivate, from the stunning Japanese garden to the magnificent MODEL TRAIN GARDEN RAILWAY that is 2.5X larger than Epcot's outdoor model train layout! This spectacular landscape - which includes EXTREMELY RARE mature TREES (including one specimen tree that is considered functionally extinct!), a PRIVATE LAKE, and a PRIVATE POOL - offers a serene sanctuary of endless natural beauty. The gardens have garnered NUMEROUS AWARDS over the years. This fabulous estate includes waterfalls, decorative ponds, and fountains throughout, and the property is ZONED FOR HORSES! The primary residence, with a lower-level walk-out / separate entrance, together with a guest house, includes a total of 5 fireplaces, and are both situated to take in the captivating gardens and lake VIEWS FROM EVERY WINDOW! The primary residence also has a professional CHEF'S KITCHEN and an original 1950s soda fountain next to the arcade room, which opens onto another patio - perfect for entertaining! Whether strolling through the meticulously designed gardens or marveling at the amazing views of model trains, this estate is nothing short of extraordinary. This property is being offered for the first time in over half a century! You will not find another estate with these unique offerings!
Active
$2,500,000
480 Miller Rd, North Barrington, IL 60010
7beds
10,039sqft
Est.:
Single Family Residence
Built in ----
10 Acres Lot
$-- Zestimate®
$249/sqft
$-- HOA
What's special
Private poolPrivate lakeLush landscapePrivate botanic gardenProfessional greenhouseTrain depotArcade room
- 9 days
- on Zillow |
- 2,135 |
- 187 |
Zillow last checked: 7 hours ago
Listing updated: April 23, 2025 at 02:26am
Listing courtesy of:
Eugene Fu 312-804-3738,
@properties Christie's International Real Estate
Source: MRED as distributed by MLS GRID,MLS#: 12340576

Travel times
Tour with a buyer’s agent
Tour with a buyer’s agent
Facts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 7
- Bathrooms: 9
- Full bathrooms: 9
Rooms
- Room types: Bedroom 5, Bedroom 6, Bedroom 7, Game Room, Sitting Room, Office, Exercise Room, Heated Sun Room, Foyer, Walk In Closet
Primary bedroom
- Features: Bathroom (Full, Tub & Separate Shwr)
- Level: Main
- Area: 304 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 19X16
Bedroom 2
- Level: Main
- Area: 208 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 13X16
Bedroom 3
- Level: Second
- Area: 266 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 19X14
Bedroom 4
- Level: Second
- Area: 180 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 12X15
Bedroom 5
- Level: Second
- Area: 144 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 8X18
Bedroom 6
- Level: Main
Other
- Level: Main
Dining room
- Level: Main
- Area: 525 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 25X21
Exercise room
- Level: Lower
- Area: 150 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 15X10
Family room
- Level: Lower
- Area: 945 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 27X35
Foyer
- Level: Main
- Area: 42 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 7X6
Game room
- Level: Lower
- Area: 280 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 20X14
Other
- Level: Main
- Area: 160 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 8X20
Kitchen
- Features: Kitchen (Eating Area-Breakfast Bar, Island)
- Level: Main
- Area: 480 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 30X16
Laundry
- Level: Main
- Area: 104 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 13X8
Living room
- Level: Main
- Area: 972 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 27X36
Office
- Level: Main
- Area: 160 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 20X8
Sitting room
- Level: Main
- Area: 270 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 18X15
Walk in closet
- Level: Second
- Area: 779 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 19X41
Heating
- Natural Gas, Forced Air
Cooling
- Central Air, Wall Unit(s)
Appliances
- Included: Double Oven, Range, Microwave, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, High End Refrigerator, Bar Fridge, Freezer, Washer, Dryer, Stainless Steel Appliance(s), Wine Refrigerator, Range Hood
- Laundry: Upper Level, In Unit
Features
- Wet Bar, 1st Floor Full Bath, Walk-In Closet(s)
- Basement: Walk-Out Access
- Attic: Finished,Pull Down Stair
- Number of fireplaces: 5
- Fireplace features: Wood Burning, Gas Log, Living Room, Master Bedroom, Basement, Other, Den/Library
Interior area
- Total structure area: 8,974
- Total interior livable area: 10,039 sqft
Video & virtual tour
Property
Parking
- Total spaces: 12
- Parking features: Asphalt, Garage Door Opener, On Site, Garage Owned, Detached, Driveway, Secured, Owned, Garage
- Garage spaces: 6
- Has uncovered spaces: Yes
Accessibility
- Accessibility features: No Disability Access
Features
- Levels: Tri-Level
- Stories: 3
- Patio & porch: Deck, Patio, Porch
- Exterior features: Balcony, Outdoor Grill, Fire Pit
- Has view: Yes
- View description: Water, Back of Property, Front of Property, Side(s) of Property
- Water view: Water,Back of Property,Front of Property,Side(s) of Property
- Waterfront features: Lake Front, Pond, Waterfront
Lot
- Size: 10 Acres
- Features: Water Rights, Mature Trees, Garden, Views, Water Garden
Details
- Additional structures: Barn(s), Gazebo, Greenhouse, Guest House, Pool House, Shed(s), Garage(s), See Remarks, Storage
- Additional parcels included: 13124000080000
- Parcel number: 13124000030000
- Special conditions: List Broker Must Accompany
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Architectural style: Traditional,Ranch
- Property subtype: Single Family Residence
Materials
- Frame
- Foundation: Block, Concrete Perimeter
- Roof: Asphalt
Condition
- New construction: No
Utilities & green energy
- Electric: Circuit Breakers
- Sewer: Septic-Mechanical, Septic Tank
- Water: Well
Community & HOA
HOA
- Services included: None
Location
- Region: North Barrington
Financial & listing details
- Price per square foot: $249/sqft
- Tax assessed value: $151,977
- Annual tax amount: $30,405
- Date on market: 4/17/2025
- Ownership: Fee Simple
- Has irrigation water rights: Yes
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