Sidney Stables Geneva Lakefront

Some properties are beautiful because of the house. Others are beautiful because of the land.

Sidney Stables is both.

Set on 5.9 wooded acres on Geneva Lake’s south shore, the estate has the kind of presence that is getting harder and harder to find: mature trees, wildflower fields, trails, privacy, a gated entry, 25 feet of lake frontage, a private pier, and a canopied slip. It feels tucked away, but still deeply connected to the lake.

The home was designed by Chicago architect Jerry Hamen, who also led the renovation and expansion of neighboring Aloha Lodge. From the beginning, Sidney Stables was created with the character of a stable, a nod to the property’s past. The estate was once part of the original 10-acre Glen Arden property, made famous by Sidney Smith, creator of Andy Gump, who hosted Gatsby-like gatherings on Geneva Lake.

Glen Arden’s horses once grazed on this part of the property, and pieces of that history still turn up today. Over the years, the family has found old horseshoes on the grounds, a wonderful reminder of what this property once was.

There are details throughout the home that make it feel personal. The slate roof gives the house an iconic, timeless look from the outside. Inside, the brick used for the kitchen and family room fireplace came from old buildings in Chicago. Each brick was carefully cleaned and given new life in the home. It is one of those details you may not notice immediately, but once you know the story, it makes the house feel even more special.

Crafted by Hummel Construction, the residence spans more than 9,000 square feet with five bedrooms, five full baths, two powder rooms, three fireplaces, a walkout lower level, and a four-car garage.

The family built the home with large groups in mind, and you can feel that in the way the spaces open up. The 45-foot screened porch is one of the defining features of the property. It opens beautifully for parties, summer dinners, lake weekends, and long evenings with family and friends. It’s easy to imagine the porch filled with people in July, enjoying an early-morning coffee, or watching the many songbirds that visit the property.

That is part of what makes Sidney Stables so remarkable throughout the seasons. In summer, it is a lake house with a private pier and room to host. In fall, the wooded acreage becomes the backdrop. In winter, the slate roof, fireplaces, and stable-like architecture give the home a storybook quality. In spring, the wildflowers and trails come back to life.

Sidney Stables has the kind of continuity that feels rare on Geneva Lake. It is not just a large home on acreage. It is a property with history, privacy, architecture, and a real sense of place.

The property is not in conservancy, which is rare for a parcel of this size so close to the lake. While any future changes would be subject to local laws, zoning, shoreland rules, and approvals, there is a meaningful amount of space here to make this special property your own.

For the right buyer, Sidney Stables is a chance to own a distinctive Geneva Lake estate with room to gather, wander, and a story that reaches back to the lake’s golden era.

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