Glencoe Golf Club’s New Prairie Style Clubhouse

The next chapter of Glencoe Golf Club is officially underway. The North Shore favorite has launched construction of a new, state-of-the-art clubhouse and restaurant that will transform the golfer and community experience for decades to come. Designed by FGM Architects, the project combines modern amenities with timeless Prairie Style architecture—an homage to the region’s architectural legacy.

A Prairie Style Landmark in the Making

The new clubhouse draws inspiration from the Prairie School of architecture, a style famously championed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It’s a fitting tribute, as the North Shore—including Glencoe—is home to several iconic Wright-designed residences.

Key elements of the design include:

• Horizontal lines: Long, low rooflines and bands of windows mirror the flat Midwestern landscape.
• Natural materials: Stone accents and wood-toned finishes bring warmth and harmony with the environment.
• Organic integration: The building blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings.
• Open, flowing interiors: Expansive windows and airy floorplans create a sense of spaciousness while connecting the indoors with the outdoors.
• Craftsmanship: A central fireplace, detailed stonework, and careful interior design highlight the building’s quality construction.

The result will be a clubhouse that feels both modern and deeply rooted in Glencoe’s architectural heritage.

A Hub for Golf, Dining, and Community

When completed, the new clubhouse will be more than a golfer’s 19th hole—it will serve as a year-round hub for recreation, dining, and events. Highlights include:

• Full-service, family-friendly restaurant and bar with indoor dining, a sunset-view terrace, and Glencoe’s first dedicated sports bar with multiple TVs.
• Private event spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows, perfect for weddings, parties, or business gatherings.
• Two multisport simulators offering practice for golf, baseball, and more.
• Upscale Golf Shop with expanded services.
• Community-focused amenities, from a regulation croquet court and short-game practice area to pollinator gardens, a community garden, event lawn, and winter recreation areas.

The facility will also target LEED Silver certification, featuring geothermal HVAC, all-electric equipment, and bird-safe glass to reflect Glencoe Golf Club’s commitment to sustainability.

Glencoe Golf Club

Once-in-a-Century Transformation

The project replaces the current clubhouse—more than 100 years old—with a completely reimagined facility designed to serve the 45,000+ golfers and thousands of community visitors who enjoy the property each year. Demolition of the existing clubhouse was scheduled for spring 2025, with the new clubhouse expected to open in summer 2026.

Alongside the building itself, the 126-acre site will be enhanced with new gardens, environmental programs, and recreation areas, reinforcing the club’s status as both a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary and Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary.

Construction Timeline and Updates
Demolition: May 8, 2025

The transition began in dramatic fashion on May 8, 2025, when Doetsch Contractors, the project’s low bidder, razed both the original mansion and the century-old clubhouse—completing the work in just one day. By May 14, the site was fully cleared, paving the way for new beginnings.

Demolition debris was carefully managed with an emphasis on sustainability. Materials were separated on-site and either recycled, repurposed, or sent to specialized facilities for processing. Concrete was crushed into CA-6 gravel for roadbed use, while salvageable bricks were palletized for future projects.

Glencoe Golf Club

Groundbreaking Ceremony: May 19, 2025

Just days later, Glencoe Golf Club hosted its Groundbreaking Ceremony. The event brought together community members, local leaders, and partners—including the Forest Preserves of Cook County and Friends of the Glencoe Golf Club—to celebrate the launch of this transformative project.

Foundation Excavation: June 19, 2025

By June, crews had begun excavating the foundation, marking the symbolic and literal start of the new clubhouse. This phase wasn’t just about concrete—it was about laying the groundwork for future memories, traditions, and community connections.

Basement Excavation: July 11, 2025

By mid-July, the basement excavation was nearly complete. The site featured center depressions for concrete piers that will support steel columns, along with perimeter excavations for the foundation walls and footings. The basement is planned to house the electric cart fleet and key mechanical systems.

Foundation Work: July 22–31, 2025

Late July brought visible progress. Crews poured all the footings and began setting wall forms for the foundation. Soon after, the main foundations were completed, the golf cart ramp foundation walls were poured, and extensive rebar tying reinforced the structure for long-term durability.

Powered by Community Support

This ambitious project reflects the commitment of the entire Glencoe community. In April 2023, residents voted in favor of the project through a referendum, ensuring public support for the investment.

Key contributors include:

• Ad Hoc Design Review Committee (AHDRC): Seven residents who participated in the design process through public meetings.
• Friends of the Glencoe Golf Club (FOGGC): A 501(c)(3) nonprofit leading a private fundraising effort to enhance the new clubhouse and 126-acre site beyond public funding.

The project also continues the long-standing partnership between the Village of Glencoe and the Forest Preserves of Cook County, who have co-managed the site since 1922 to preserve open space, provide recreation, and promote biodiversity.

Looking Ahead

The new clubhouse marks a once-in-a-lifetime transformation for Glencoe Golf Club—blending golf tradition, architectural heritage, and community spirit into a modern facility for all. As construction milestones continue through 2025 and 2026, anticipation builds for the grand opening of a clubhouse that will redefine public golf and community life in the North Shore.