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Lake Forest estate that was once the country home of Edith Rockefeller McCormick has changed hands in an off-market sale for $5 million, just before it was set to be listed publicly for $6 million. The 10,600-square-foot Georgian-style mansion on Circle Lane sold for $471 per square foot and features seven bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, and three half-baths. The sellers, trusts established by Darlene Bobb and Robert J. Bobb, had planned to list the home early next year for $1 million more than they ultimately received.

    The property's history dates back to 1918 when it was part of the "Villa Turicum" estate, designed for Edith and her husband Harold McCormick. The original teahouse built for Edith remains on the property. The Bobbs purchased the home in 2020 from Michael and Eva Losacco for $3.7 million, a 45% reduction from its original asking price of $6.7 million.

    Robert J. Bobb is a former federal prosecutor who co-founded Cardinal Growth, which was seized by the government after failing to repay $21.4 million in taxpayer dollars. He later agreed to pay $1.5 million to the U.S. Small Business Administration and cooperate with regulators.

    The sale comes as low inventory levels on the North Shore lakefront have driven up demand for properties priced correctly, resulting in quick sales or off-market deals. The Circle Lane home is the third in Lake Forest this year to sell for $5 million or more, matching last year's number of such sales in the suburb.