Illinois is home to some of the most exclusive gated communities in the Chicago North Shore and Western Suburbs (like Barrington Hills or Burr Ridge) and the premier golf-centric enclaves (such as Wynstone in North Barrington or The Club at Ravenna, in the southwest suburbs), offering residents a mix of luxury, privacy, and serene, manicured beauty. Known for its world-class cultural institutions, top-tier school districts, and easy access to a major global city and its extensive park and lake system, the state attracts homeowners who want a lifestyle centered on convenience and sophistication.
In this guide, we rank the Top 20 Most Expensive Gated Communities in Illinois, based on exclusivity, location, and overall prestige. From prestigious North Shore estates and Western Suburbs to resort-style retreats along one of the area’s top championship golf courses (like in Wheaton or Naperville) or featuring private lakes and natural preserves, these communities represent the very best in Illinois living and continue to define the state as a premier destination for luxury real estate.
20. Lake Barrington Shores
Lake Barrington Shores is a sprawling, 520-acre community that functions more like a private village. It’s built around a 100-acre lake, Lake Barrington, and a private 18-hole golf course. While not “elite” in the same stratosphere as North Shore estates, it is a premier, gated lifestyle community offering a diverse range of housing, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes, all within a secure, patrolled environment.
The main draw here is the sheer volume of amenities, which creates a resort-like atmosphere. Residents have access to the lake for boating and fishing, multiple swimming pools, tennis and platform tennis courts, a sailing club, and a large clubhouse with a fitness center and social activities. Its exclusivity comes from its comprehensive, private nature and 24/7 security, offering a turnkey, high-amenity lifestyle that is walled off from the surrounding area.
19. Boulder Ridge
Boulder Ridge is a large, private golf community in the far northwest suburbs, known for its 27-hole championship golf course and impressive clubhouse. The community is gated with 24-hour security, offering a mix of custom-built estates, semi-custom homes, and maintenance-free townhomes. This variety makes it more accessible than others on this list, but it remains a prestigious address in McHenry County.
The community’s reputation is built on its family-friendly, resort-style amenities. Beyond golf, residents have access to a large swimming pool complex, tennis courts, and a full-service fitness center and spa. The exclusivity stems from its status as one of the few truly comprehensive, gated country club communities in its part of the suburbs, with home prices that climb well into the seven figures for custom estates on the golf course.
18. Ruffled Feathers
Ruffled Feathers is one of the premier gated communities in the southwest suburbs, built around a prestigious, private golf course of the same name. The course, designed by Pete Dye, is known for its challenging layout and is the centerpiece of the community. The homes are predominantly large, custom-built brick and stone estates from the 1990s and 2000s, lining the fairways on generous lots.
With 24/7 security at the gatehouse, Ruffled Feathers provides a level of privacy and safety highly valued by its residents, who include many local executives, professional athletes, and business owners. While the amenities are primarily focused on the golf club itself (which includes a clubhouse, dining, and pool), the community’s reputation for security and its collection of multi-million dollar custom homes make it a clear standout in its region.
17. Hawthorn Woods Country Club
This gated community in Lake County is centered around a private, Arnold Palmer-designed 18-hole golf course. The development is known for its large, luxurious homes built by high-end national builders and local custom firms, set on spacious lots with views of the course or surrounding conservation areas. The community is secured with a gated entrance, providing a quiet and private environment.
Amenities are extensive and managed by the private club, which residents are typically required to join. This includes the golf course, a large clubhouse with dining, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a swimming pool complex, and tennis courts. Its exclusivity lies in its secure, all-inclusive country club lifestyle and its location in an affluent, semi-rural part of Lake County.
16. Burr Ridge Club
The Burr Ridge Club is an established, gated community in the affluent western suburbs, known for its large, elegant homes and mature, wooded landscape. The community is not built around a golf course, but rather focuses on providing a secure, serene, and private environment. Homes are typically large, traditional custom builds set back on spacious lots, giving the neighborhood a stately feel.
Amenities include a 24/7 guarded gate, a community clubhouse, a swimming pool, and tennis courts. The exclusivity of the Burr Ridge Club comes from its location, its established reputation, and its emphasis on privacy. It attracts residents who want the security of a gated community without the golf-centric focus, preferring a quieter, park-like setting for their multi-million dollar homes.
15. Falling Water
Falling Water is a unique, gated community in Burr Ridge known for its distinctive architecture and water features. As the name suggests, the community is designed around a series of man-made ponds, streams, and waterfalls, creating a tranquil and visually stunning environment. The homes are large, modern-leaning custom builds, many of which are designed to maximize water views.
This enclave is secured by a gatehouse and offers residents a high degree of privacy. It is one of the most architecturally notable subdivisions in the western suburbs, and its exclusivity is derived from its unique aesthetic, secure perimeter, and the multi-million dollar price tag of its custom-designed homes. It appeals to a buyer seeking privacy and a home that is a “statement” piece.
14. The Midwest Club
The Midwest Club is one of the most prominent gated communities in the western suburbs, located in affluent Oak Brook. This 24/7 guard-gated enclave is known for its collection of significant, custom-built estates from the 1980s and 1990s, set on large, manicured lots. The community has a grand, established feel, with wide streets and mature trees.
Amenities are centered around a private community clubhouse, which includes dining facilities, a swimming pool, and tennis courts. The Midwest Club’s reputation is built on its prime location, high level of security, and the sheer scale of its properties. It remains a coveted address for high-level executives and business owners who value privacy and proximity to Chicago.
13. Hunter Trails
Hunter Trails is an exclusive, gated community in Oak Brook that offers a more rustic and secluded feel than its neighbor, the Midwest Club. The community is set within a heavily wooded area, with homes on large, multi-acre lots that provide significant privacy. The architecture is diverse, ranging from sprawling mid-century ranches to modern new-build mansions, all hidden behind a 24-hour guarded gate.
This community is for those who prize land and nature above all else. There is no central clubhouse or pool; the main amenity is the land itself, including private trails and a serene, forested setting. Its exclusivity comes from its A+ location, its 24/7 security, and its rare offering of large, wooded estate lots, making it one of the most desirable and expensive enclaves in the western suburbs.
12. Ivanhoe Club
Ivanhoe Club is a premier, 24/7 guard-gated community built around a private, 27-hole championship golf course. Located in a secluded area of Lake County, the community features large custom estates, many with direct golf course frontage. The club itself is the center of life here, consistently ranked as one of the top private golf clubs in the state.
Membership in the club provides access to the renowned golf course, a large clubhouse with multiple dining options, a pool, tennis courts, and a state-of-the-art practice facility. The exclusivity of Ivanhoe is tied directly to the prestige of its golf club. It is a secure, private, and golf-focused community where home prices consistently reach multi-million dollar figures.
11. Royal Melbourne
Royal Melbourne is a distinguished, gated community in Long Grove known for its beautiful, rolling terrain and private 18-hole golf course. The homes are large, upscale custom builds on spacious lots, many of which back up to the manicured fairways or preserved natural wetlands. The community is secured by a 24-hour guardhouse, ensuring privacy and tranquility.
The private golf club is the main amenity, featuring a grand clubhouse, dining, tennis courts, and a swimming pool. Royal Melbourne’s reputation is built on its elegant aesthetic, its highly-regarded golf course, and its prime location near the charming historic village of Long Grove. It is considered one of the most desirable gated golf communities in the northern suburbs.
10. Belden Avenue (Private Section)
This is the first of several “private streets” on the list, representing a form of urban exclusivity. This specific block of Belden Avenue (between Lincoln Park West and Clark) is a private, gated street lined with some of Lincoln Park’s most impressive single-family homes and historic rowhouses. It is a cobblestone-paved, gas-lit oasis of calm just steps from the bustle of the city.
There are no shared amenities like a pool or club; the amenity is the street itself. It offers residents a level of privacy, security, and tranquility that is virtually nonexistent in such a prime city location. Exclusivity is absolute: only residents and their guests can drive on the street, and the homes here command massive price tags, trading infrequently and often privately.
9. Hawthorne Place
Hawthorne Place is one of Chicago’s most beautiful and exclusive private streets. Located in the East Lakeview neighborhood, this tree-lined, gated street is a designated historic district, featuring a stunning collection of Victorian and Prairie-style homes designed by famed architects like George Maher and Howard Van Doren Shaw. The street is gated at both ends, making it a true private enclave.
Like other private streets, the exclusivity comes from its privacy, security, and architectural pedigree. Residents have a private park-like street just steps from Lake Michigan and the lively neighborhoods of Lakeview. Homes on Hawthorne Place are rarely available, and when they do sell, they command a significant premium for their unique combination of history, architecture, and seclusion.
8. Lincoln Park 2550
Representing the “vertical community” category, 2550 N. Lakeview is one of Chicago’s most luxurious and exclusive condo towers. The building offers unparalleled views of Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan, with a level of service and privacy that rivals a five-star hotel. The residences are large, with high-end finishes and private elevator access for many units.
The amenities are staggering: a 1.25-acre private park, indoor lap pool and spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga studio, club lounge, movie theater, and even a private dog park. A 24/7 door staff, valet, and on-site concierge team provide ultimate security and service. Its exclusivity comes from its prime location, fortress-like security, and hotel-style living.
7. The St. Regis Chicago
The St. Regis Chicago, formerly known as the Vista Tower, is a 101-story architectural marvel designed by Jeanne Gang. The building is a hybrid of a 5-star hotel (on the lower floors) and ultra-luxury private residences (on the upper floors). Residents of the condos have their own private lobby, elevators, and amenities, separate from the hotel.
Resident-exclusive amenities include a 47th-floor sky lounge, private pool, spa, fitness center, theater, and outdoor terrace with stunning city and lake views. Residents can also access all hotel services, including in-room dining and housekeeping. Exclusivity is defined by its world-class architecture, association with the St. Regis brand, and the protected, panoramic views from its multi-million and eight-figure residences.
6. One Bennett Park
One Bennett Park is an ultra-luxury tower that set a new standard for amenities and privacy in Chicago. Designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, the building offers a mix of apartments and for-sale condominiums, with condo residents having a private lobby and elevator bank. It is known for its classic, art-deco-inspired design and its location adjacent to a new 2-acre park designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh.
The amenity suite is arguably the best in the city, shared with the high-end apartments. It includes a limestone-clad indoor pool, an expansive fitness and wellness center, a salon and spa, and a sprawling outdoor terrace. The condos themselves are palatial, with sweeping views and timeless finishes. Exclusivity is derived from its architecture, top-of-the-market pricing, and unparalleled level of service and amenity.
5. Westminster Place
This private, gated street in the heart of East Lake Forest is the suburban equivalent of Chicago’s private enclaves. Westminster Place is a single, secluded street lined with a small number of magnificent estates, each on several acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. The street is gated and private, offering a level to security and seclusion that is rare even for Lake Forest.
The homes are architecturally significant, representing some of the finest work by architects like David Adler and Howard Van Doren Shaw. The “amenity” here is the prestige of the address, the absolute privacy, and the ability to own a grand, historic estate on a private road. This is old-money exclusivity, and homes here are rarely offered for public sale, often trading privately for eight figures.
4. Astor Street (Private Enclave)
While much of Astor Street is public, a specific, gated section (known as Astor Street District) represents the absolute pinnacle of historic, urban wealth. This enclave is home to some of Chicago’s most iconic and expensive rowhomes and mansions, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The street is gated, patrolled, and meticulously maintained.
Living here is a privilege reserved for the city’s old-money families and new titans of industry. There are no common amenities; the entire neighborhood is the amenity. Its exclusivity is unmatched, based on its history, architectural significance, A+ location in the Gold Coast, and the extreme scarcity of its homes. Owning a home here is less a real estate transaction and more an acquisition of a historical landmark.
3. Conway Farms
Conway Farms is arguably the most prestigious gated golf community on the North Shore. It’s built around the elite Conway Farms Golf Club, which was designed to be a “walking course” in the British tradition and has hosted major PGA events like the BMW Championship. The community features a limited number of stunning custom estates and high-end villas, all behind a 24-hour guarded gate.
Life here revolves around the club, which is notoriously private and difficult to join. The homes are architecturally controlled, maintaining a cohesive, elegant aesthetic. The exclusivity of Conway Farms is off the charts, combining the prestige of a top-tier private golf club, a 24/7 guarded gate, a Lake Forest address, and a collection of multi-million dollar homes.
2. Wynstone
Wynstone is the quintessential “elite” gated community in Illinois. It is a 750-acre private, guard-gated enclave set in the rolling, equestrian-minded hills of North Barrington. The community is built around a world-class private golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, which is the centerpiece of the development. The homes are all large, custom-built estates on one- to five-acre lots, ensuring maximum privacy.
The 24/7 security is legendary, with a high-profile guarded gate and roving patrols. The country club offers a massive clubhouse, tennis, a pool, and fine dining. Wynstone’s exclusivity comes from its total privacy, its famous golf course, the scale of its properties, and its reputation as a preferred enclave for high-profile athletes, CEOs, and entrepreneurs who want to be completely insulated from the public eye.
1. No. 9 Walton
For sheer, concentrated exclusivity and price-per-square-foot, no community in Illinois has surpassed No. 9 Walton. This 38-story ultra-luxury tower in the Gold Coast is famous for its roster of billionaire, celebrity, and finance-titan residents. The building provides a level of privacy and bespoke service that is unparalleled, effectively functioning as a private club in the sky.
The amenities include a “house account” for all services, a private restaurant for residents only, a 24/7 valet that will detail and gas your car, a house car service, and an extensive spa and fitness center. Residences are completely custom, with buyers often combining units to create massive, full-floor homes. Exclusivity is enforced by its nine-figure price tags, its celebrity-heavy reputation, and a level of personal service that makes it the most exclusive “gated” community in the state.
Illinois’ exclusive, gated communities highlight the state’s reputation as a hub for luxury living, particularly in the prestigious North Shore estates and upscale Western Suburbs near Chicago. Each neighborhood offers its own distinct advantages, whether it be private, Jack Nicklaus-designed championship golf and estate-sized lots (like at Wynstone in North Barrington), private lake access and resort-style amenities (such as in Lake Barrington or the Carillon communities), secluded nature preserves and equestrian trails, or a strong sense of private, estate-style living. Collectively, they form a landscape where privacy, security, and sophistication are a way of life.
For those considering a move to Illinois, these communities represent not only desirable places to live but also lasting investments in one of the region’s most sought-after markets. Whether nestled among the exclusive estates near Hinsdale and Barrington Hills or situated in an exclusive club community built around a world-class golf course or private lake, these neighborhoods showcase the very best of what Illinois has to offer.