OAK PARK, Ill. — One of the earliest homes designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright has returned to the market — and it’s drawing interest from across the globe.
The Elizabeth and Rollin Furbeck House, completed in 1897, has been listed for $1.98 million nearly three decades after its last sale. Located in the Estate Section of Oak Park, just blocks from Wright’s own home and studio, the 5,000-square-foot residence offers a rare blend of architectural history and modern livability.
A Transitional Work From a Visionary Mind
According to Realtor.com, the home is regarded as an “experimental and transitional” work in Wright’s career — a period in which he was shifting away from his mentor Louis Sullivan’s ornamentation toward his signature Prairie School style.
Highlights of the five-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home include:
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A fireplace inglenook similar to Wright’s own home
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Flowing, open floor plan
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Original woodwork, leaded and art glass windows, and built-in bookshelves
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A covered front porch swing, Mission-style furnishings, and antique light fixtures
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A large heated in-ground pool and expansive 13,000-square-foot lot
Historic Roots, Modern Amenities
Initially designed as a wedding gift from Rollin Furbeck’s father, the home has had 12 different owners. The current sellers have owned the home since 1998, carefully restoring it while maintaining its architectural integrity.
“They’re really good stewards of the home,” said listing agent Louise Nix. “For them, the perfect buyer would be someone who would carry on this tradition.”
Modern additions include:
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A renovated kitchen with high-end appliances
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Updated primary suite and bath
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A five-car garage, ideal for collectors or large households
A Comfortable Wright Home With Family Appeal
Unlike many of Wright’s more austere residences, the Furbeck House is described as warm and welcoming.
“This is one of the first Wright homes I’ve walked in where I felt, ‘This is so comfortable,’” Nix told Realtor.com. “It doesn’t feel like a museum. It feels like a home.”
With Oak Park’s top-tier schools, proximity to downtown Chicago (just 8 miles from Michigan Avenue), and historic charm, the home may appeal to young families transitioning from city life.
Are you a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture or Oak Park’s historic homes?
Tell us which Wright home you’d live in if given the chance — comment now at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com!
