Chance leads man to become suburban builder
A land developer and general contractor who helped to shape the footprint of the Northwest suburbs has died.
Robert Barrett passed away on Oct. 15. The former 30-year resident of Prospect Heights, most recently of Lakewood, Ill., was 76.
The Shires of Prospect Heights, a 40-acre development with 67 lots located on Wolf Road just north of Camp MacDonald Road, was the first subdivision Mr. Barrett developed, working with his son, Robert, beginning in 1987.
Named after his company, the executive style homes were built on land originally set aside for another high school.
Their success led them to build more homes in Prospect Heights before they branched out to develop parcels in Kildeer, Deer Park, Wheeling, Cary, McHenry, Buffalo Grove and Mount Prospect, as well as convert the Chatham apartment complexes in Buffalo Grove into condominiums.
"My dad always said to build every home like it's your own," his son, Robert of Lakewood, said. "His homes were very high quality, but what made him successful was the service he provided after the home was finished. He never walked away from a problem."
Ironically, Mr. Barrett never set out to become a builder, family members say. He was running a successful pump business for construction companies, while also serving on the board of Continental Bank in Buffalo Grove, when he seized an opportunity, his wife Mary Ann says.
When the bank took back a development after the initial builder ran into financial trouble, Mr. Barrett convinced the other board members to take over the project.
"He did all of this without a building background," says his wife of 51 years.
Mr. Barrett called his initial company Shamrock Builders, but eventually renamed it the Shires of Prospect Heights. His son, Robert, still runs the business under the name The Shires.
Besides his wife and son, Mr. Barrett is survived by his daughter Linda of Cary, and sons William (Lynda) and Martin (Lisa), both of Cary; Michael of Buffalo Grove; and Tony of Lakewood; as well as 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Services were held previously.