$2 Million Cigar Lodge in the Backyard? You Must Be Blowing Smoke

[Devo]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-2-million-cigar-lodge-in-the-backyard-you-must-be-blowing-smoke-11612459852?mod=hp_listc_pos1

 $2 Million Cigar Lodge in the Backyard? You Must Be Blowing Smoke

In Glencoe, Ill., Andrew Berlin built a 900-square-foot outbuilding where he could enjoy his favorite cigars.

By Alina Dizik

Feb. 4, 2021 12:30 pm ET

Andrew Berlin can’t recall the exact moment when his idea for a simple screened-in porch became a less modest endeavor. But two years and $2 million later, he is enjoying his own elaborate retreat on his property.

The Glencoe, Ill., resident spent years looking for a way to enjoy his favorite Cohiba Behike cigars in the midst of winter. His main home—a 10,100-square-foot 1928 English Cotswold cottage—didn’t have the necessary ventilation. Neither did his guesthouse, which is also on the 4.9-acre property overlooking Lake Michigan on Chicago’s North Shore. He briefly considered a separate greenhouse in the middle of the lawn, but worried it would block the views.

Mr. Berlin was most intrigued by the idea of building a small lodge at the edge of the property that could sit almost directly above the lake and take advantage of unused waterfront space.

“It’s a grand example of scope creep,” he says of the much-expanded plan. Mr. Berlin, 60, is the retired chairman of a namesake global packaging company and a part owner of the Chicago Cubs.

Chicago-based interior designer Bruce Fox took on the project. He focused on creating a masculine entertaining lodge, blending sought-after antiques with modern elements, and hiding a top-of-the-line ventilation system in the 18.5-foot sloped ceiling.

[La_Tigre]

Dammit, we knew we should’ve kept our shed’s architectural plans better hidden....

[Chibearsv]

I grew up not too far from there and most of the houses on the lakefront are spectacular.  If he lives on 4.9 acres of lakefront in Glencoe, he's not sweating $2 million.  Good for him.  That looks awesome.

[KCCubano]

He has ownership in Cubs and owns the South Bend Cubs. Thats chump change for him.

[Walter19]

Impressive!

[Fosgate]

$2 milliion for a "Masculine" cigar retreat building is probably far cheaper than telling his wife he'll smoke wherever he damn well pleases and have to go through a divorce. 

[inter4alia]

Not too far a drive from my place.  Illinois just ended cash bail so maybe I'll stop by and introduce myself. 

[Tstew75]

Holy *$^%^#@

[asudevil08]

i'd love to see the humidor - full of new world cigars I'm sure 

[Woody Hayes]

"The rich are different from you and I"...F. Scott Fitzgerald.  Too bad we couldn't see the inside.  I bet it's spectacular. 

[Habana Mike]

56 minutes ago, Woody Hayes said:

"The rich are different from you and I"...F. Scott Fitzgerald.  Too bad we couldn't see the inside.  I bet it's spectacular. 

Indoor pics here. Unfortunately no humidor shots.

Planning to build a smoking lodge (lounge) myself, though not at quite that scale!

[Bijan]

4 minutes ago, Habana Mike said:

Indoor pics here. Unfortunately no humidor shots.

Planning to build a smoking lodge (lounge) myself, though not at quite that scale!

Thanks!

I hit a paywall going through the link. But googling the title brought up the article.

[Bijan]

Main photo from the article...

 

47 minutes ago, Habana Mike said:

Hmmm.... I googled "Andrew Berlin" cigar and it was the first result. Went right in.

Yes I think it works through google, but if you post that link somewhere then you hit the paywall

[Habana Mike]

Just now, Bijan said:

Thanks!

I hit a paywall going through the link. But googling the title brought up the article.

Hmmm.... I googled "Andrew Berlin" cigar and it was the first result. Went right in.

[Habana Mike]

1 hour ago, asudevil08 said:

i'd love to see the humidor - full of new world cigars I'm sure 

From the article: The Glencoe, Ill., resident spent years looking for a way to enjoy his favorite Cohiba Behike cigars in the midst of winter. 

Must have a few Habanos in there!

[asudevil08]

4 minutes ago, Habana Mike said:

From the article: The Glencoe, Ill., resident spent years looking for a way to enjoy his favorite Cohiba Behike cigars in the midst of winter. 

Must have a few Habanos in there!

Haha I'm sure he does...

[Fuzz]

Puts my indoor/outdoor smoking area to shame! I need to up my game! ?

[LLC]

Very nice. If your have lots of money that seems like a great way to spend some of it.


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[BrightonCorgi]

Great taste.  I love it.   Bright and natural to sit the day in there.  Just marvelous.

[MC4]

https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/a-2-million-cigar-lodge-in-the-backyard-you-must-be-blowing-smoke-146146

doesn't have paywall.

$2 million and doesn't even have a bathroom??!!

[cigaraholic]

At least he’s not smoking Gurkha’s ?

[LLC]

https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/a-2-million-cigar-lodge-in-the-backyard-you-must-be-blowing-smoke-146146
doesn't have paywall.
$2 million and doesn't even have a bathroom??!!

I guess he’ll have to make due with the 15 foot heated walkway to get to 1 of the 7 1/2 bathrooms in the main house


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[Habana Mike]

1 hour ago, LLC said:

I guess he’ll have to make due with the 15 foot heated walkway to get to 1 of the 7 1/2 bathrooms in the main house


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Or just piss off the deck!

[mprach024]

5 hours ago, MC4 said:

https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/a-2-million-cigar-lodge-in-the-backyard-you-must-be-blowing-smoke-146146

doesn't have paywall.

$2 million and doesn't even have a bathroom??!!

Or a TV?

[Chibearsv]

10 hours ago, MC4 said:

$2 million and doesn't even have a bathroom??!!

His wife helped design it, she probably figured he'd never come back to the house otherwise

 

5 hours ago, mprach024 said:

Or a TV?

A television lifts out of a well-stocked bookshelf, keeping the focus away from electronics.