Estate featured in “Empire” lists in Illinois for $9.5M

A castle-like estate that was named “the most beautiful home for sale in the state” by Architectural Digest in 2017 has gone back on the market in Barrington Hills, Illinois, for $9.5 million.

If this 17,597-square-foot mansion looks familiar, it’s because it was featured in the Fox drama series “Empire,” the listing on Realtor.com says.

Sitting on 8.32 acres, the six-bedroom, 9.5-plus-bathroom residence has a wide array of high-end features spread across the property, including:

• Theater

• Billiards room

• Game room

• Elevator

• Guest house

• Huge windows

• Coffered ceilings

• Full bar

• Catering kitchen

The mansion was a setting in the award-winning “Empire” series that starred Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard as Cookie and Lucious Lyon.

“Although the show is mostly set in New York City, the Lyons’ homestead is at 45 Lake View Lane in Barrington Hills, Illinois,” Robb Report said. “A fitting home for the fictional family, it provides them with an escape from their lucrative record-label headquarters and makes many appearances throughout the show.

“In fact, the dramatic first episode of season four takes place almost entirely at the property, with a notable dinner scene showcasing the massive pool and romantically lit garden landscape.”

The Fox series aired from 2015-2020.

Barrington Hills is about 38 miles northwest of Chicago.