Abele Sells Empty Shorewood Plot Where Mansion Was Torn Down

SHOREWOOD, WI — Former County Executive Chris Able has sold his empty Shorewood lot that was once home to an Eschweiler mansion. The plot was purchased in 2019, and the mansion was torn down as Abele appeared to be making way for a new mansion at the site.

Online real estate records show the now-empty property at 3534 Lake Drive was sold for $2 million to 3534 Acquissition LLC, a Milwaukee-based company with William D. Gardner as the agent, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had first reported. The empty lakefront property was listed for sale in October at $2.6 million, which is how much Abele originally paid for the property when it still had a house.

Abele had plans to construct a 17,000 square foot mansion in place of the Eschweiler mansion. It would have included a terraced lakeside facade with an infinity pool and a second-story lawn area. Northworks Architects from Chicago designed the mansion.

When it was posted for sale in the fall, the listing included a brief message:

"Opportunities like this do not come along very often. Over 2 1/2 acres, this unique Lake Drive lot presents an opportunity for one lucky buyer to build their dream home," said the property's listing when Able listed it for sale in 2021.

Prior to the plot's sale this week, construction had come to a standstill and permits had lapsed, and as of late, all that remains of what once was the 1927-built Charles and Laura Albright House is a brick fence and gate.