Loyola to transfer ownership of Cuneo Mansion & Gardens to Vernon Hills

After 15 years, Loyola University Chicago will be ending its association with the Cuneo Mansion & Gardens in Vernon Hills.

Loyola is discontinuing operations of the grounds and mansion and will transfer the remaining historic 44-acre property to the village under rights outlined in a 2015 preservation agreement between the parties.

The transfer is expected to be finalized in the next 60 days with official acquisition expected in January, according to the village.

“At this time, the village does not have any plans for the use of the property, village President Thom Koch Jr., said in a statement. “Further evaluation will take place following the formal transfer to determine the best path forward in a manner that reflects both the community’s interest and the property’s legacy.”

Loyola officials did not respond Tuesday for comment but acknowledge on the website operations will cease.

The 31,000-square-foot, Venetian-style mansion and idyllic grounds were gifted to Loyola by the Cuneo Foundation in 2010. The gift, including the 97-acre estate, art work, collections and other assets, was valued at $50 million.

After two years in process, village trustees in 2017 approved rezoning and other measures that allowed Loyola to sell the northern 53 acres of the site to Pulte Homes for a 128-home subdivision.

A 21-page preservation agreement between the village and Loyola was crafted to allow for the sale. At the time, Loyola had invested more than $8 million in maintaining and repairing the mansion and gardens and developed new facilities.

“They’re looking to move on from the property,” said Village Manager Kevin Timony. “We're taking this property on because we have the option in the preservation agreement.”

What then was known as the Cuneo Museum and Gardens was featured in the reception scenes in the 1997 movie “My Best Friend’s Wedding” starring Julia Roberts.

Loyola build a permanent structure attached to the mansion as a banquet facility and kitchen and it became a popular destination for wedding packages costing $9,000 for a six-hour reception during peak season.

But the disposition of property came to the forefront recently. Brides-to-be checking on the accommodations received a thank you message but learned that no events would be hosted after Dec. 15.

Loyola said it has spaces available to offer as alternatives at its Lake Shore and Water Tower campuses.

How the village will address any wedding under contract or in the planning process is to be determined.

“Obviously, it’s a very sensitive issue,” Timony said.

The ornate country-estate was completed in 1917 for business magnate Samuel Insull, an assistant to Thomas Edison and founder of Commonwealth Edison, among other interests.

John Cuneo, Sr., whose fortune was made in printing and real estate, bought the property in 1937 after Insull's vast holdings went into receivership. In 1991, John Cuneo, Jr., opened the estate and gardens to the public as a way to share his father’s collections.

For 21 years ending in 2014, the grounds were home to the village’s extensive and popular drive-through holiday light show.

Public tours ended in 2014 before reopening for a limited run in 2016.

The future of the property under village ownership is to be determined but will include community feedback, Timony said. “We definitely want to take it slow,” he said.