1258 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago

A landmark by Holabird and Roche, this exceptional residence has an ornate facade replicating the famed 15th-century Venetian Palazzo Contarini Fasan, believed to be the inspiration for the heroine Desdemona in Shakespeare's Othello. One of just four Gold Coast single-family homes on North Lake Shore Drive, this 1895 home was gutted to the studs in 2012 and redesigned by architect Steve Rugo. Now, it stands as an elegant 5-story residence with a fabulous rooftop deck with uninterrupted lake views, a lobby-level apartment (ideal for a resident home manager, staff, and income), and a full basement. With three large Gothic arched windows and a front balcony overlooking the lake, the main entertaining level is comprised of a grand living room, a spacious dining room with a catering kitchen, and a powder room. The next level is a high-end, efficient kitchen open to a large family room and an en suite bedroom. The primary bedroom suite is on the next level; it includes a beautiful marble bath, custom closets, another east-facing balcony, and a cozy den/office. The piece de resistance is the rooftop deck with panoramic lake, Navy Pier, and skyline views. The adjacent sunroom includes a partial kitchen, ideal for rooftop dining. Other features include an elevator that goes to the top of the original home (the top two levels are an addition), walnut floors, designer lighting, two laundry centers, zoned heat and a/c, and a fenced patio on Stone Street. Garage parking is available at 1325 N. State (enter on Banks) for $345/month and at 1212 N. Lake Shore Drive for $450/month.