5 Most Expensive Homes Sold In Illinois In 2017

CHICAGO, IL — It's fun to dream of living in the lap of luxury, but a lucky few have the chance to make those dreams come true. From the most expensive home sale in Chicago-area history to a Gold Coast mansion to lakefront luxury, Crain's Chicago Business recently profiled the 50 most expensive home sales in Chicagoland in 2017.

Here's a look at the top 5, according to Crain's.

1. It should come as no surprise that Illinois' richest man, Citadel founder Ken Griffin, has the designation of making the most expensive home purchase ever in Chicagoland. Griffin is behind the entity that purchased the four top floors of the residential tower at 9 W. Walton St. for $58.5 million last November.

2. Coming in at No. 2 is the Lurie mansion 1547 N. Dearborn Parkway, an 1891 stunner purchased Dec. 14, 2017 by the Latin School of Chicago. The Gold Coast home of famed philanthropist Ann Lurie was on and off the market for years and has 12 bedrooms, 12 baths, nine fireplaces, stained glass windows and an elevator, according to Curbed Chicago.

3. Another Gold Coast mansion, this one at 52 E. Bellevue Place, sold in November to Jiravat Yoovidhya—son of the late Thai billionaire and Red Bull creator Chaleo Yoovidhya for $7.5 million. The mansion is loaded with luxurious amenities, such as a media room with a 120-inch, dropped-down screen and projector; five outdoor decks, including a top deck outfitted with a fire pit and two grilling stations; a sitting area with three wet bars; a sauna; a gym; a custom wine cellar; and smart home automation throughout.

4. Tied for third place with a $7.5 million price tag is this lakefront mansion on Linden Avenue in Wilmette. The home previously sold in 2008 for $9 million and is billed as "the quintessential lake escape set privately down an enchanting lane off Sheridan Road," according to Realtor.com.

5. Finally, this Grant Place home in Lincoln Park sold last January for $7.2 million. The former sculptor's studio was purchased by a Chicago couple in 2010 but put on the market when they divorced in 2015, according to Crain's. The home sold for 22 percent of its original asking price.

Find the list of all 50 most-expensive homes sold in 2017 at Crain's.

Photos via Realtor.com with the exception of Dearborn Parkway (via Google Street View).