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Loyola at Cuneo Mansion and Gardens

Step back in time at this elegant Italianate mansion and gardens, showcasing stunning art, architecture, and a glimpse into a luxurious past.

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Experience the grandeur of a bygone era at the Cuneo Mansion and Gardens, a stunning Italianate-style villa in Vernon Hills, Illinois. This 100-acre estate, once home to prominent figures like Samuel Insull and John Cuneo Sr., showcases exquisite art, architecture, and landscaping. Today, owned by Loyola University Chicago, it hosts events and offers a glimpse into a luxurious past.

A brief summary to Loyola at Cuneo Mansion and Gardens

Local tips

  • Check the Loyola University Chicago website for updates on when tours will resume.
  • Consider attending a public event or wedding reception to experience the mansion's ambiance.
  • Explore the gardens to appreciate Jens Jensen's landscape design.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From Milwaukee Avenue (Route 21), turn onto Cuneo Drive to enter the estate. Parking is available on-site. Complimentary parking is usually included for events. Be aware that parking may be limited during peak event times.

  • Public Transport

    The Metra North Central Service (NCS) line stops at Vernon Hills. From the station, it's approximately a 10-minute taxi or ride-share to the mansion. Taxi/rideshare fare is approximately $10-$15. Pace bus routes also serve the area, with stops at Hawthorn Mall. From the mall, it is still recommended to take a taxi or rideshare to the mansion, costing approximately $8-$12.

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Discover more about Loyola at Cuneo Mansion and Gardens

Nestled in Vernon Hills, approximately 40 miles north of Chicago, Loyola at Cuneo Mansion and Gardens offers a captivating journey into early 20th-century elegance. The mansion, completed in 1916, was originally built for Samuel Insull, a founder of General Electric, and designed by architect Benjamin Marshall in the Italianate style. The surrounding gardens were designed by renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen. In 1937, John Cuneo Sr., known for Hawthorn Mellody Farms Dairy and the Cuneo Press, purchased the estate, filling it with an impressive collection of fine art and antiques. The Cuneo family added their personal touch, including murals by Chicago Ecclesiological Muralist John Mallin and a private chapel consecrated in 1941. The chapel features stained glass windows, with portraits of the Cuneo children. Since 2009, the mansion has been under the stewardship of Loyola University Chicago, which received the estate as a generous gift from the Cuneo Foundation. Loyola has since renovated the mansion and added a meeting and event pavilion. Although tours are currently unavailable due to staffing shortages, the mansion is open for corporate events, wedding receptions and special events. The estate has also served as a filming location. Visitors can explore the formal gardens, admire the architecture, and envision life during the Gilded Age.

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