T
he recent acquisition of a century-old Hinsdale mansion by Incobrasa Industries, a downstate soybean procession company specializing in biodiesel, vegetable oil, and other soybean-derived products, has raised eyebrows in the local community. The mansion, which was once threatened by demolition, was purchased for $6 million or $835 per square foot by Incobrasa Industries, owned by the Ribeiro family. The company's president and CEO, Aluizio Ribeiro, has been actively involved in local charity events and has been recognized for his contributions to the community.

    The mansion was previously owned by Jameson Sotheby's International Realty's Mimi Collins, a local real estate agent and preservationist who purchased the property for $1.8 million after an agreement with the village board to help preserve the century-old property. After a complete restoration, Collins listed the property for $7 million earlier this year, falling short of Incobrasa's purchase price.

    Built in 1924 by renowned architect Alfred F. Pashley, the Hinsdale home boasts a French Eclectic aesthetic with six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and modern amenities. The residence features a stucco exterior, steel casement windows, a slate roof, and handcrafted iron details, spanning over half an acre on a corner lot.

    Incobrasa Industries' roots can be traced back to Brazil, where founder Renato Ribeiro began acquiring agricultural land. As of early 2024, Incobrasa owned over 12,500 acres, according to a study by the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers.

    The purchase of the Hinsdale mansion by Incobrasa Industries has disrupted a trend of scrape-and-replace moves by other Hinsdale buyers seeking land to build their own new homes in the wealthy western suburb. No real estate agent has been identified as representing Incobrasa in the mansion's purchase.