One of the oldest settlements in Chicago's constellation of North Shore suburbs, Lake Forest is revered for the manner in which its carefully planned streets and roads have enabled residents to stay connected to the greater city yet isolated from much of the congestion and overpopulation of the region. Due to its careful design, this community of 20,000 has therefore managed to maintain a semi-rural character within the midst of an increasingly metropolitan and economically influential urban center. As such, Lake Forest is prized for offering the seclusion and peace of mind that is desired by Chicago's top business leaders yet, all too often, found in short supply. The merits of its close proximity to Chicago and light population density are not even Lake Forest's primary assets, however, as this safe and affluent town is known for its architectural masterpieces and commitment to environmental preservation. Frank Lloyd Wright, Howard Van Doren Shaw, Henry Ives Cobb, and David Adler all contributed a multitude of iconic homes to the neighborhood throughout the preceding century, while the Keck brothers, whose work has recently seen a resurgence of interest, used Lake Forest as a backdrop to develop their unique form of American Minimalism. Likewise, Lake Forest, which runs along the shores of Lake Michigan has also gained a number of plaudits for the way its public spaces have incorporated virgin prairies and native forests. Indeed, the National Arbor Day Foundation has named it 'Tree City USA', while famed landscape architects, including Jens Jensen and Frederick Law Olmsted, have carefully crafted many of the area's estates. When taken together, Lake Forest's historically significant housing stock, comforting fauna, and convenient location make it one of the finest places to live in the American Midwest.