The Patterson Estate

Turn-of-the-century oil baron Tom Loffland and his bride, Cecile, constructed their elegant mansion in 1925 under the direction of renowned architects Lawrence Blue and Fred Knoblock whose combined artistry and sense of scale were the perfect fit for the project. The estate consists of a three-story home, a guest apartment with three parking bays, a tennis court and countless historically significant details large and small, such as its leaded glass dome. The property was purchased in 1968 by Bob and Cadijah Patterson who, along with their four children, made it their home for decades. The Patterson Estate occupies seven lush acres on the southeast corner of E. 31st ST and South Peoria Ave. The grounds are redolent with large, native trees obscuring the house from the street, but for its steep, natural slate roof.

As was typical of the grandest homes of its age, the grounds of the Patterson Estate remain largely untouched with elements of whimsy dotting the expansive acreage in the tradition of Frederick Law Olmstead, whose naturalized green spaces transformed the world’s great cities. One approaches the home via a long, curved circular drive, passing the large guest apartment with its multiple parking bays, beyond the tennis court and pavilion, finally arriving in a pretty clearing within which sits the main house. Its exterior stonework, a rustic stacked limestone, covers the walls of the first-floor level, almost like wainscotting, with the upper levels articulated in a traditional, half beam-and-plaster Tudor motif. On the right, an irregularly-laid stone wall encircles an outdoor living space; it’s balanced on the left by an elevated stone terrace, ideal for cocktails, leading to the home’s dining room.

The entrance foyer is dominated by the glorious staircase, three-story atrium and large, original leaded-glass skylight. The north wing of the first floor houses the living room with its walnut-paneled chimney breast and limestone fireplace surround. All woodwork is walnut, including the long window seat at the dining room bay window. Beyond the dining room is a large slate terrace surrounded by a stone and iron railing.

As you ascend the stairs, two lovely balconettes, each with a French door, frame the second-floor landing. Here you’ll find four bedrooms and a former sleeping porch, including the gold-and-white paneled primary suite with its dazzling scale, gilded sconces and beautifully carved fireplace. There are five full baths in the main house. Beautiful original doorknobs, fixtures and tilework are found throughout, along with arched doorways and window seats.

The first-floor atrium is topped with a jewel-like conservatory-style leaded glass roof. The perimeter of the bay window has a raised stone planter and fishpond. The basement (left) is large, with a bar, fireplace and space for a pool table and arcade games.