Historic mansion gets green light

The Evanston Historic Preservation Commission approved Celadon Partners' plan to transform the nearly 100-year-old Harley Clarke Mansion into a public event space with a restaurant, coffee shop, and other amenities.

“This project has been an evolution, and it's been because we've listened to the community.”

From hotel plans to public space

Celadon's original proposal two years ago included a boutique hotel, but market conditions led the developer to pivot toward an event space that will be open to the public when not booked for private events.

Thirty million dollar investment

The redevelopment project costs thirty million dollars, with Celadon seeking twelve million in federal and state historic tax credits to help fund the transformation.

Public uses when space is free

When the event space isn't booked for private events, it will host fitness classes, co-working spaces, and other community programming to keep the mansion accessible to the public.

Restaurant, coffee, and ice cream

The mansion will feature a full-service restaurant, coffee shop, and ice cream parlor operated by an Evanston business, creating multiple dining options for visitors.

Billiards room becomes speakeasy

The mansion's original billiards room will be converted into a jazz club-style speakeasy, preserving the room's historic character while giving it new purpose.

Harley Clarke Beer Company launches

Celadon will launch Harley Clarke Beer Company with more than a dozen beers brewed by a North Side partner brewery, including some recipes discovered in the mansion's walls during renovation work.

Beers brewed in oak and gin barrels

Some Harley Clarke beers will be aged in French oak or gin barrels, creating distinctive flavors unavailable elsewhere, while others are based on recipes found during the mansion's restoration.

“you just can't get anywhere else”

Mansion built in nineteen twenty-six

The Harley Clarke Mansion was built in nineteen twenty-six for utility magnate Harley Clarke, with grounds designed by renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen and completed in nineteen twenty-eight. Evanston landmarked the property in nineteen eighty-two.

Three point five million for gardens

Celadon is giving the nonprofit Jens Jensen Gardens in Evanston three point five million dollars to restore the property's gardens to reflect Jensen's original design, with the nonprofit serving as a lifetime partner.

Coach house becomes nonprofit hub

The property's coach house will be restored into a hub for Jens Jensen Gardens nonprofit, including offices, equipment storage, and a public learning center for community education.

Volunteer discount program planned

Celadon is considering a program where public volunteers with Jens Jensen Gardens or other nonprofits can receive food and drink discounts at the mansion, creating incentives for community engagement.

Fairy tale tiles inspire ice cream

Clarke's daughter's bathroom features original tiling depicting fairy tales and children's stories, which will inspire the ice cream parlor's flavors and preserve this hidden architectural treasure.

Construction starts March twenty twenty-seven

Celadon hopes to begin construction in March twenty twenty-seven and open operations in the first quarter of twenty twenty-eight, pending approvals from the Evanston Land Use Commission and City Council.

Pop-ups test community interest

Celadon has hosted pop-up events including coffee stands, ice cream and beer gardens, and watch parties for Northwestern and Chicago Bears games, with strong attendance affirming community enthusiasm for the project.

“There's so many different people that are just using the space like a public park”