Frank Lloyd Wright was one of the most influential architects in American history, and the mark he left on the Chicago area is still salient. This Saturday, May 16, the 41st annual Wright Plus house walk will give design aficionados a rare look inside some of Wright's masterpieces, as well as other Prairie-style homes designed by his contemporaries.
The tour will consist of seven homes in Riverside and Oak Park, and includes transportation in between. The house walk runs from 9am to 5pm. It costs $95 for Frank Lloyd Wright Trust members and $110 for non-members.
Here's what you can expect to see on the suburban architecture tour:
Avery Coonley House, Riverside: The Coonley residence is currently for sale at a hefty $2.1 million. It's the first time that the home is being featured in the house walk. Unless you have a sizable chunk of cash lying around, this could be one of your only chances to check out its interior.
Coonley Stables, Riverside: Now referred to as the "Coach House," the former stables were rescued from demolition in 1953 and turned into a residence. It has the feel of a Wright home with post-war twist.
Hemmingway House, Oak Park: Ernest Hemingway once referred to Oak Park as a place of "wide lawns and narrow minds." You'll have the chance to tour the home that inspired such a sentiment on the tour. The home was designed by Henry Fiddelke and completed in 1906.
Oscar B. Balch House, Oak Park: The Balch House is a great example of Wright's aesthetic principles. Built in 1911, it's the newest of his homes offered on the tour.
Mary Walker Herron House, Oak Park: Dating back to 1888, this home was expanded and modernized by Prairie School architecture firm Tallmadge & Watson in 1924. Fun fact: Thomas Tallmadge coined the term "Chicago School" while describing local architectural trends.
Thorncroft, Riverside: Thorncroft is probably the most classic example of Prairie School architecture offered on the tour. It was designed by William Drummond, whose rejected design for the Tribune Building was way, way cooler than the current structure.
Paul Blatchford House, Oak Park: Dating back to 1887, it's the oldest house on the tour. This place seems to give the Oak Park stigma of "wide lawns and narrow minds" a bit more validity.
Images courtesy of Frank Lloyd Wright Trust.