# House Painters and Decorative Finishes in Highland Park, Illinois > Highland Park’s preservation program identifies more than 130 local landmarks and three local historic districts. Its architectural surveys document houses from 1920s revival styles through postwar Ranch, split level, Modern, and later Neo Traditional forms. Finish planning should follow the specific building’s designation, architectural character, surfaces, and current conditions. - Canonical URL: https://eaglespaintdecor.com/service-areas/highland-park-il - Last reviewed: 2026-09-17 - Publisher: Eagles Painting & Decorative ## Local architecture and housing context Highland Park is a Lake Michigan North Shore city about 25 miles north of Chicago’s Loop. Its preservation program documents more than 130 local landmarks and three local historic districts. The City’s Sunset Terrace survey shows the range of residential character: Colonial Revival and Tudor Revival houses from the 1920s and 1930s, followed by Ranch, split level, Contemporary, Modern, and International Style homes. Later examples include Neo Eclectic and Neo Traditional forms. The City has completed eight architectural surveys, with individual reports available for surveyed properties. - The 2024 ACS profile reports 12,488 housing units. - The City identifies more than 130 local historic landmarks. - The City has completed eight architectural surveys. ## Service coverage for Highland Park and nearby suburbs Eagles serves Highland Park and nearby suburbs including Lake Forest, Deerfield, Glencoe, Northbrook, Northfield. Interior painting, exterior painting, cabinet refinishing, wallpaper, and decorative finishes are planned around the individual property, surface condition, and project schedule. **Nearby communities:** [Lake Forest](https://eaglespaintdecor.com/service-areas/lake-forest-il), [Deerfield](https://eaglespaintdecor.com/service-areas/deerfield-il), [Glencoe](https://eaglespaintdecor.com/service-areas/glencoe-il), [Northbrook](https://eaglespaintdecor.com/service-areas/northbrook-il), [Northfield](https://eaglespaintdecor.com/service-areas/northfield-il). Project availability is confirmed from the actual property address, requested service, site conditions, and schedule. ## Project planning in Highland Park Highland Park’s survey records and preservation rules offer useful address level context. Before scheduling exterior work, confirm historic status, document surfaces and proposed finishes, then account for the current forecast and product requirements. 1. Verify whether the property is a landmark or a contributing regulated structure in a local historic district before finalizing exterior work. 2. Use the City’s survey map and request the individual architectural summary when available. Survey status is not an approval determination. 3. Plan access around the actual building form, including low Ranch rooflines or multiple level split level conditions where present. ## Access and route context Highland Park sits north of the Loop with two practical driving approaches. Final access should follow the property address and live road conditions. ### Edens Expressway and U.S. Route 41 From central Chicago, use the Kennedy and Edens corridor on Interstate 90/Interstate 94 and Interstate 94, then continue via U.S. Route 41 toward Highland Park. This is the principal expressway approach for west side and central city access. ### Lake Shore Drive and Sheridan Road From central Chicago, follow Lake Shore Drive north and continue on Sheridan Road through the North Shore into Highland Park. This is a direct arterial alternative for lakefront side access. **Distance context:** Google Maps currently places the drive from Chicago’s Loop to Highland Park at about 27 miles. The exact mileage varies with the destination address and selected route. ## Weather and site conditions The National Weather Service publishes a Highland Park point forecast with temperature, precipitation, thunderstorm, and wind detail. Use that live forecast to sequence exterior painting and any weather exposed plaster work. Keep wallcovering deliveries protected from moisture. Plan cabinet refinishing around stable indoor conditions and the selected finish system’s requirements. - A homeowner with a surveyed Colonial Revival or Tudor Revival residence is preparing an exterior refresh. The first step is an address level landmark and historic district check, followed by a finish plan that respects documented exterior character. - A family in a Contemporary Ranch or split level home wants a quieter interior update. A room by room plan can pair cabinet refinishing with wallcovering or paint while accounting for the home’s low horizontal form or separated living levels. ## Services considered for Highland Park ### [Exterior Painting](https://eaglespaintdecor.com/services/exterior-painting) Exterior material, color, and texture are part of architectural appearance for regulated historic properties. ### [Interior Painting](https://eaglespaintdecor.com/services/interior-painting) Interior color can be planned around a home’s era, daylight, trim, and retained details rather than a uniform formula. ### [Wallpaper Installation](https://eaglespaintdecor.com/services/wallpaper-installation) Wallpaper is a room specific option that can be coordinated with historic revival architectural context without presuming original finishes. ### [Cabinet Refinishing](https://eaglespaintdecor.com/services/cabinet-refinishing) A contained kitchen update can be evaluated separately from exterior appearance that may be historically significant. ## Local questions ### Does exterior painting on a Highland Park historic property require City review? Check the address and scope with the City first. A Certificate of Appropriateness is required for regulated activity involving a landmark or contributing regulated structure in a historic district. The ordinance does not let a contractor determine from a general description whether a particular repaint is regulated. ### How can I check whether a Highland Park home has historic survey information? The City’s Architectural Surveys page links to a survey area map and says that individual architectural summary reports are available for surveyed properties. The Planning Division can help locate the applicable report. ### What housing styles should guide a finish plan in Highland Park? Use the house itself as the guide. The City’s Sunset Terrace survey documents Colonial and Tudor Revival homes from the 1920s and 1930s, then Ranch, split level, Contemporary, Modern, and later Neo Traditional forms. ### When is exterior work best scheduled in Highland Park? Choose dates using the current forecast and the selected product’s application requirements. NOAA climate normals provide useful long term temperature and precipitation context, but they do not predict conditions on a specific workday. ## Evidence status Eagles attributes a project photograph or client review to Highland Park only after confirming the project, city, and appropriate publication permission. Service availability and project fit are confirmed during the inquiry. ## Sources 1. [Historic Preservation Commission | City of Highland Park, IL](https://www.cityhpil.com/government/advisory_groups_boards_commissions/historic_preservation_commission/index.php) 2. [Architectural Resources Survey for the Sunset Terrace Subdivision, Highland Park, Illinois](https://cms6.revize.com/revize/highlandparkil/government/boards_and_commissions/historic_preservation_commission/docs/20210729_Architectural%20Resources%20Survey%20for%20the%20Sunset%20Terrace%20Subdivision%20(FINAL%20REPORT)_Reduced%20Size.pdf) 3. [Chapter 24 Historic Preservation | Highland Park Code of Ordinances](https://library.municode.com/il/highland_park/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TITIIIAD_CH24HIPR) 4. [U.S. Census Bureau Geocoder, 1707 St Johns Ave., Highland Park](https://geocoding.geo.census.gov/geocoder/locations/onelineaddress?address=1707%20St%20Johns%20Ave%2C%20Highland%20Park%2C%20IL%2060035&benchmark=Public_AR_Current&format=json) 5. [City of Highland Park, Contact Us](https://www.cityhpil.com/government/contact_us.php) 6. [Google Maps Directions, Chicago Loop to Highland Park](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Chicago+Loop,+Chicago,+IL/Highland+Park,+IL/) 7. [Illinois Department of Transportation, Highway Maps](https://idot.illinois.gov/travel-and-maps/highway-maps.html) 8. [National Weather Service, Highland Park Forecast](https://forecast.weather.gov/zipcity.php?inputstring=Highland_Park,+IL)