After graduating from Princeton University in 1904, he studied in Europe at Technische Universität München and École des Beaux-Arts.

After completing his schooling in 1911, he moved to Chicago, Illinois to study under prominent country house architect Howard Van Doren Shaw.

After six months, Adler opened his own architectural firm in partnership with Henry Dangler in Orchestra Hall.

Over the next thirty years, Adler made over 1300 sketches, documents, and drawings related to the property's design.

Elkins decided to donated the property to the Village of Libertyville on the condition that it be used as a cultural and recreational center.

A non-profit organization called the David Adler Memorial Park Association formed in 1951 to rehabilitate the property.

The property was again renovated in 1971 by the Libertyville Junior Women's Club and in 1980 by the newly formed David Adler Cultural Center.

Former Adler client William McCormick Blair helped to raise $250,000 for renovations and then provided an endowment for the property in his will.

[1] The David Adler Estate is in Libertyville, Illinois, roughly 35 miles (56 km) north of Chicago.

The western facade faces Milwaukee Avenue (Illinois Route 21), a major north–south thoroughfare in the northern suburbs.