The hammer drops on October 27, 2026, when Rick Levin & Associates and Michael LaFido of Luxe Group LPT Realty take this Polo, Illinois, estate to auction. The opening bid sits at $975,000. That’s a massive cut from the previously stated valuation of over $2.25 million. The property is no ordinary farmhouse. It’s a 17-bedroom, 10,000-square-foot mansion that started life as a 1930 orphanage. The building’s institutional past now frames a sprawling country residence, a shift in purpose that spans nearly a century.
The estate sprawls across 10 acres, with another 10 acres available for purchase. The listing describes a brick exterior and a full, unfinished basement. Inside, original millwork survives alongside a hay barn, a mini barn with a paddock, and a grain and bar area. The auctioneer notes the structure is partially rehabilitated. This leaves the interiors as a blank canvas for the next owner. You’re buying a project, not a turnkey home. The architectural bones are there, but the finishing touches are up to you.
There’s a discrepancy in the bedroom count that needs attention. The auction listing claims 17 bedrooms, but a separate real estate listing cites only 12. Prospective bidders should clarify this with the listing representatives before committing. The property’s history is also thin on operational details. The listings confirm it was an orphanage but offer no specifics on its conversion or daily operations. What remains is the physical structure and its rural setting.
The auction is set for late October, and the low entry price makes this a speculative buy for those ready to undertake renovation. The estate’s size and outbuildings distinguish it from standard country homes. If you’re looking for a legacy property with a gritty past, this is it. The market is waiting to see if the $975,000 tag attracts the right buyer.