$5 million for Cuneo improvements

A new era for the Cuneo Museum and Gardens will start with a $5 million upgrade that includes a permanent banquet facility.

Other work recently outlined for the Vernon Hills village board includes replacing the windows, heating and electrical systems and roof, renovating the original skylight and removing an indoor pool.

The work outlined by Loyola University Chicago represents the first stage of what eventually will include a master plan for the 97-acre property along Milwaukee Avenue.

"We're not a 10- or 20-year developer, we're a 50- to 100-year developer," architect Nevin Hedlund, told village trustees during an outline of the initial work.

The massive, 31,000-square-foot Venetian-style home was built for utilities magnate Samuel Insull in 1914. John Cuneo, a prominent philanthropist whose fortune was made in printing, bought the home and grounds in 1937.

His son, John Cuneo Jr. opened the family home as a public museum in 1991 and the grounds have become the annual location of Vernon Hills' holiday light show.

In early December, the Cuneo Foundation announced the museum and its extensive collections of tapestries, paintings, rugs, sculptures and other items were being donated to Loyola as part of a gift estimated at $50 million.

Loyola is expected to assume control of the property on or around March 1, and is required to continue to operate the museum for 20 years.

Weddings, tours and other activities will be continued and expanded. Initial work will provide handicapped accessibility with a new elevator and restroom facilities, and transform the 1963 pool house into a commercial kitchen.

A tent used for activities will be replaced with a permanent 5,500-square-foot structure designed as a seamless addition on the north and west sides of the main home.

Construction is expected to begin in early fall and last six months.

"When they're done, it's going to look spectacular," Mayor Roger Byrne said.

An environmentally controlled room within the home also is being designed to stabilize and restore several pieces of art in the Cuneo collection.

Repair work on the interior systems, windows and other work will begin as soon as the necessary plans are filed and permits issued.

As several amendments to the zoning ordinance will be required, the village's planning and zoning commission will review the banquet addition and make a recommendation to the village board.

"We want to stay in business during this renovation and restoration process," Hedlund said.