Walk down the quiet, tree-lined streets of Lincoln Park and you’ll see plenty of stunning architecture. But there is one spot that makes people stop and stare—not just because it’s big, but because it feels like it belongs in the French countryside rather than a five-minute drive from the Loop. Honestly, 1932 N Burling St Chicago IL is more of a compound than a house. It’s a massive, limestone-clad testament to what happens when you have a virtually unlimited budget and a very specific vision of luxury.
It’s huge.
Seriously, it’s about 25,000 square feet. For a little perspective, the average American home is around 2,300 square feet. You could fit ten normal houses inside this one and still have room for a massive ballroom. And that’s basically what owners Richard and Michaela Parrillo did when they started this project years ago. They didn't just buy a lot; they bought several. They stitched together a footprint that spans roughly eight standard city lots. In a neighborhood where space is the ultimate currency, owning that much land is the ultimate power move.
People talk about the price tag constantly. It’s been on and off the market for years, often carrying a price tag north of $45 million, making it one of the most expensive—if not the most expensive—residential listings in Chicago history. But why? Is it just the size? Not really. It’s the sheer density of the detail. We’re talking about imported marble, hand-carved wood, and a garden that looks like it was plucked from Versailles.
The Architecture of 1932 N Burling St Chicago IL
When you look at the facade, you’re looking at French Neoclassical design. It’s heavy. It’s permanent. It was designed by Thomas Beeby, a titan of the "Chicago Seven" architects who also gave us the Harold Washington Library. This isn't some "McMansion" thrown together with cheap materials and trendy finishes. It’s built to last for centuries.
The Parrillos reportedly spent $65 million just to build the place.
Think about that for a second. Even in the world of high-end real estate, spending $65 million on construction in the mid-2000s is staggering. Every single piece of stone was chosen with intent. Inside, you’ve got six bedrooms and eleven bathrooms. There are fountains. There’s a reflection pool. The grounds are manicured to a level of perfection that’s almost intimidating. If you’ve ever walked by, you’ve probably noticed the massive wrought-iron gates. They aren't just for security; they’re part of the aesthetic, creating a literal barrier between the hustle of Chicago and this private European estate.
🔗 Read more: God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise: The True Story Behind the Phrase Most People Get Wrong
Why is it so hard to sell?
Here is the thing: when you build a house that is this specific, your "buyer pool" shrinks to the size of a thimble.
Most people with $50 million to spend in Chicago aren't looking for a limestone palace in Lincoln Park. They’re looking for a penthouse in the Gold Coast or a sprawling estate out in Lake Forest with lake access. 1932 N Burling St Chicago IL occupies a strange middle ground. It’s a suburban-sized mansion in the heart of the city. You’ve got all the maintenance of a massive estate but you’re still technically on a city block.
It’s also about the "Parrillo Factor." Richard Parrillo, the founder of United Automobile Insurance Co., built this as a dream home. It’s filled with his personal taste. In the ultra-luxury market, buyers often want a blank canvas. They want to put their own stamp on a place. When a house is this finished—this "done"—it takes a very specific person to say, "Yes, I want exactly this."
Then there’s the property tax.
You can’t talk about Chicago real estate without talking about taxes. The annual bill for this property is enough to buy a very nice house in most other parts of the country. For a lot of wealthy individuals, that’s a hard pill to swallow, even if they have the cash. It’s a recurring overhead that never goes away.
Inside the Most Famous House in Lincoln Park
What’s actually inside? While photos are somewhat rare compared to your average Zillow listing, we know a lot about the interior thanks to various high-end architectural features and public records.
💡 You might also like: Kiko Japanese Restaurant Plantation: Why This Local Spot Still Wins the Sushi Game
The floors are often a mix of rare hardwoods and custom-cut stone. The fireplaces? Not just one or two. There are multiple, many of them antique imports from Europe. There's a library that looks like something out of a 19th-century London gentleman’s club, with floor-to-ceiling shelving and rich, dark wood.
- The Garden: It’s arguably the best part. It features a series of terraces, a formal "parterre" garden, and those famous fountains.
- The Wine Cellar: It’s massive. Because of course it is.
- The Garage: Hidden away, but big enough for a serious collection.
People always ask if it’s "worth it." Value is a weird concept at this level. Is a Picasso "worth" $100 million? To the person who wants it, yeah. To the person who thinks it's just paint on canvas, no. 1932 N Burling St Chicago IL is the same way. It’s a piece of livable art. The problem is finding the right collector.
The Impact on the Neighborhood
Burling Street is already one of the priciest stretches of dirt in the Midwest. But this house changed the gravity of the street. It turned Burling into a destination for "real estate tourism." It’s common to see people riding their bikes past just to catch a glimpse of the limestone through the trees.
It also set a ceiling for the neighborhood. When this house hit the market for $50 million, every other homeowner on the block suddenly felt like their place was a bargain at $5 million. It shifted the psychology of Lincoln Park real estate. It proved that there was no upper limit to what someone might spend to live in 27-inch thick walls of solid stone right next to the park.
What Happens Next for the Burling Mansion?
The house has seen price cuts. It’s been delisted. It’s been "pocket listed" (where it’s for sale but not officially on the public market). Honestly, the most likely outcome is that it eventually sells to a global buyer—someone who isn't necessarily tied to Chicago's corporate scene but wants a trophy asset in a world-class city.
Or, perhaps, it becomes a multi-generational legacy home.
📖 Related: Green Emerald Day Massage: Why Your Body Actually Needs This Specific Therapy
The Parrillos have lived there for years. They’ve enjoyed the fruits of their labor. If it never sells for the asking price, it doesn't necessarily mean it’s a "failure." It just means the market for $50 million French chateaus in the Midwest is incredibly thin.
If you’re interested in the Chicago luxury market, keep an eye on this one. It’s the bellwether. When 1932 N Burling St Chicago IL finally finds a new owner, it will be the biggest real estate news in the city for a decade. It will define the "new normal" for Chicago’s ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) segment.
Practical Steps for Real Estate Enthusiasts:
If you want to understand the scale of this property, don't just look at the photos. Take a walk. Start at the corner of Armitage and Burling and walk north. You’ll see the transition from classic Chicago brownstones to the modern, massive estates that have come to define this pocket of Lincoln Park.
- Check Public Records: Use the Cook County Assessor’s website to look at the historical tax data and property transfers. It’s a masterclass in how land assembly works.
- Look at the Neighbors: Pay attention to the houses directly across the street. Many of them are owned by household names in the Chicago business world.
- Study the Architect: Look up Thomas Beeby’s other works. You’ll start to see the "Beeby DNA" in the Burling mansion—that heavy, classical, almost institutional level of quality.
This house isn't just a home. It’s a landmark. Whether you love the style or think it’s "too much," you have to respect the sheer ambition required to build something like 1932 N Burling St Chicago IL. It’s a one-of-one. In a world of cookie-cutter luxury, that’s worth something.