This Chicago Suburb Holds More Frank Lloyd Wright Buildings Than Anywhere Else in America

Why Oak Park Is Frank Lloyd Wright Heaven

Just 10 miles west of downtown Chicago sits Oak Park, a suburb that Frank Lloyd Wright called home for two decades. This is where the legendary architect developed his Prairie School style and designed 29 homes and other structures that still stand today.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio

At 951 Chicago Avenue in Oak Park is the house where Wright lived with his six children and first wife Catherine from 1889-1909.

You can see where he made holes in the walls to expand rooms as his family grew. The studio addition (1898) has the striking drafting room with the famous chain-suspended balcony where Wright’s team designed over 125 buildings.

Look for the Japanese-inspired mural in the playroom that Wright’s son John helped paint. The dining room still has the original high-backed chairs Wright made specifically for this space.

Unity Temple

Unity Temple was designed by Wright in 1905. The recent restoration uncovered Wright’s original green, gold, and white color scheme that had been covered up for years.

Unlike Wright’s other buildings, you can actually go inside this one without a guide. Locals still use it as an active church, so you can attend a service in a Wright masterpiece as well.

The Arthur Heurtley House

This house at 318 Forest Avenue has horizontal proportions made with Roman brickwork. The mortar is only visible on horizontal joints. The dramatic arched entryway, set beneath a second-floor balcony, is a design feature Wright never used again.

You can peek through the front gate to see the original planter urns and garden wall that create a private courtyard, something Wright would later develop further in his California houses.

The Nathan G. Moore House

Located at 333 Forest Avenue, this house shows Wright’s “compromise” architecture. It was built to satisfy a wealthy client who wanted a traditional English style with his emerging geometric style.

After a 1923 fire, Wright rebuilt it with Tudor elements but included his geometric patterns in the balconies and windows. Look for the distinctive chevron patterns in the half-timbering that Wright added in the reconstruction.

Wright Plus Housewalk

Held every May, the Wright Plus Architectural Housewalk is an exclusive event that offers rare access to Wright-designed homes that are privately owned and generally closed to the public.

Volunteer homeowners and historians staff each location to share stories about living in a Wright house.

In 2025, the event will feature a special tour of the Laura Gale House, an important property that demonstrates Wright’s early use of cantilevered balconies, which directly influenced his famous design for Fallingwater.

Oak Park River Forest Museum

This small museum at 129 Lake Street holds the largest collection of Wright blueprints and original furniture from Oak Park homes.

The museum’s archive includes rare photos of Wright’s Oak Park studio in use with his draftsmen at work, plus letters between Wright and his local clients.

Harrison Street Arts District

This neighborhood just south of the Wright district is home to many galleries and workshops that pay homage to Wright’s design principles. Several local artisans continue to create Wright-inspired furniture, stained-glass windows, and other decorative pieces.

Bespoke Glass Studio, located in the district, offers weekend workshops where you can create your own art glass pieces based on Wright’s iconic geometric patterns and his signature earthy color palette.

Frank Lloyd Wright DIY Walking Tour

The “Wright Around Oak Park” self-guided tour map (available at the Home and Studio gift shop) shows all 25 Wright-designed buildings in the village, and you can explore at your leisure.

Make a beeline for Forest Avenue, which has the largest group of Wright houses anywhere in the world. Seven on a single street.

Petersen’s Ice Cream Shop

Nestled in 1100 Chicago Avenue is a beloved local institution that served as Frank Lloyd Wright’s favorite ice cream during his Oak Park years.

Peterson’s still uses early 1900s recipes and offers a “Wright’s Delight” sundae, supposedly based on the architect’s preferred mix of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, and pecans. It’s the perfect stop for a break during a walking tour of Wright sites.

It’s just two blocks away from the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio.