This Chicago Home Launched Frank Lloyd Wright’s Career – And It’s Up For Sale

Frank Lloyd Wright may be known for landmark projects like the New York Guggenheim, but his career began with this Chicago home – his first ever commission as an independent architect. This incredible property has just hit the market, and we’ve got all the details.

Inside The Winslow House, Frank Lloyd Wright’s First Independent Commission

At just 26 years old, Frank Lloyd Wright was commissioned by manufacturer William Winslow to design this handsome home in River Forest, Illinois. After parting ways with his mentor to strike out on his own, it was this property – now known simply as the Winslow House – that really kicked off Wright’s career, serving as his first official project as an independent architect.

Bearing the hallmarks of what would eventually become Wright’s signature Prairie style, the home boasts a limestone and brick exterior with wide eaves and large windows. Inside, there’s 5,000 square feet of space to explore, including five bedrooms and four bathrooms. 

While the property is brimming with architectural history, it’s been carefully modernised to provide a spectacular 21st century home. You’ll spot an impressive formal dining room, a breathtaking conservatory with semi-circular seating, and a sprawling first-floor family room, plus an additional living/office space at the top of the house.

The main staircase – which features some rather spectacular woodwork – leads up to the five bedrooms, all arranged across the first and second floors. The palatial principal suite encompasses a walk-in wardrobe and a huge bathroom with walk-in showers, custom tiles and a double vanity unit.

Head out to the rear garden and you can really see the house in all its glory: the cleverly interlocking geometric shapes showcase Wright’s eager experimentation in this pivotal stage of his career. If you’re hunting for even more space, however, the garden is complete with a separate coach house providing two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a fully-fitted kitchen.

Want to claim this architectural masterpiece as your own? It’s on the market for $1.985 million – and it’s sure to get snapped up in no time.

The Winslow House is available through Christie’s International Real Estate. For more information, visit atproperties.com