From Neglect to Neighborhood Gem: The Revival of the Oscar Mayer Mansion
Once a fading relic of the Gilded Age, the Oscar Mayer Mansion has been brilliantly revived by J&S Home Renovations, breathing new life into a historic property with deep roots in America’s food industry.
Originally constructed in 1901 by the architectural firm Hallberg & Sturm, the mansion was home to Oscar Mayer’s son, linking it to the legacy of the iconic meat brand that helped shape 20th-century American cuisine.
Decades of decline had taken their toll. The mansion sat vacant for nearly ten years, its ornate features masked by decay and a dated two-story addition.
In 2015, J&S Home Renovations stepped in, purchasing the 7,400-square-foot Evanston estate for $1.1 million. With a clear vision for restoration rather than reinvention, the team invested approximately $1.5 million into returning the residence to its original splendor.
The transformation was meticulous. Craftsmen removed unsympathetic modifications, restored intricate moldings, original brick fireplaces, and vintage light fixtures. Stained glass windows and historic radiators were preserved, while modern updates were seamlessly integrated into bathrooms, the kitchen, and essential mechanical systems—all in compliance with Illinois preservation standards.
Architecture firm Eifler & Associates, who collaborated on the project, highlighted the home’s architectural significance and noted its former owner, Oscar Putnam. While the mansion became popularly known as the Oscar Mayer House during its occupancy by the Mayer family from 1927 to 1965, its legacy is layered, storied, and rooted in the changing character of American domestic architecture.
Following the restoration, the mansion was listed for $2.95 million in 2016. Though it remained on the market for two years, it finally sold for $1.73 million in July 2018. Despite the slower sale, the project earned a preservation award from the City of Evanston—testament to the care and craftsmanship that went into its revival.
What was once a neglected structure has now become a shining example of historic preservation done right. The Oscar Mayer Mansion stands as both a tribute to Evanston’s architectural heritage and a reminder that even the most timeworn homes can be brought back to life with the right vision and respect for the past.