Making our way from Unity Temple we come to a Chicago Avenue neighborhood that is dominated by architectural wonders. Scattered throughout a handful of Queen Anne and Italianate homes are several of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie masterpieces. Before you get to them though, you’ll notice a sprawling Shingle style house (Shingle style is basically a classification of the Queen Anne style) that appears to have been built at different times. The large brown house is known as the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio and was the location of his early 20th century Oak Park company.

1889 – Home and studio of Frank Lloyd Wright

Although the building is clearly not a Prairie-style building, the influence is obvious, especially in the Chicago Avenue façade, where the library and studio are located. Wright designed and had the house built in 1889, through a loan from his then-employer, the architect Louis Sullivan. In the days to come, we’ll see how this borrowing has led to an interesting scholarly contradiction about Wright and Sullivan’s relationship.

The studio portion of the building, facing Chicago Avenue

Wright made major additions and renovations in 1895 and in 1898, which was when the studio and its connecting corridor were added. The 1898 area, in my opinion, was one of the most amazing parts of the interior; an interior that does not necessarily reflect the historical roots of the exterior styling.

Art glass designed by Wright

Beginning in 1909, Wright’s studio was no longer located in the house, and the studio became the residence of his first wife and youngest children. Later, it was converted into an apartment building until the National Trust for Historic Preservation acquired the property in 1974 and began intensive restoration. Today the house and studio are restored to their 1909 appearance and operated as a museum by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust. If you have the time and means I highly recommend taking the tour, current rates are available on the Preservation Trust website.

Restoration of original reliefs at the Chicago Avenue studio entrance

The Frank Lloyd Wright home and studio were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. In 1976, the US Department of the Interior declared the home and studio a National Historic Landmark. Detailed information can be found at the various links provided below.

online resources

*Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust

*Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio: National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form (PDF); Combined Document: NRHP Name Form pg. 1-17 and Oak Park Landmarks Nomination Form p. 17-33 (PDF); Summarized information of the National Historical Monument

* Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio (photos) National Historic Landmarks Photo Set (PDF); Free use image gallery (some interior shots); Historic American Buildings Survey Narrative Information (with links to photographs), IHPA Property Information Report (1981 photos at bottom of page)