Robie House

-Frank Llloyd Wright's Prairie School style house on South Side

The Frederick C. Robie House is one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous works. It was built 1908-10 as the residence for the Robie Family, and is situated in the Hyde Park district, next to the university campus on the South Side. It is a US National Historic Landmark and is considered the greatest example of Prairie School style, where the architect designed also the interior and furnitures. Robie commissioned the legendary architect Wright to design his home at an age of only 28. Wright designed it in his home at Oak Park, a west Chicago suburb where you also can find several of his works. The residence was built mostly in red brick, and has many special features like Wright's signifcant windows. It also looks very modern for being built in the early 1900s. Unfortunately Robie had to sell the house after only living there for 14 months, due to financial problems, the death of his father and the divorce with his wife. The second tenant, David Lee Taylor, died only a year after he moved in to the house. After that the Wilber family lived there for 14 years, later the university took over the house. In 1971 Robie House was saved from demolition by declaring it a landmark, and when the university moved out in 1997, the house was restored to its original appearance. Today it is a display house, open for visitors.

We visited Robie House on a guided tour a very hot day, combined with walking around at the University campus. It was easy to reach by bus from downtown. The address is 5757 S. Woodlan Ave, at 58th St.

Robie House 01 - one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous works, built 1908-10. Robie House 02 Robie House 03 - open to visitors, situated in Hyde Park in the South Robie House 04 - built 1910, the greatest example of Praire House style. Robie House 05 - built 1910, the greatest example of Praire House style. Robie House 06 - S Woodlawn Ave Robie House 07 Robie House 08 - view towards cathedral Robie House 09 Robie House 10 Robie House 11 Robie House 12 Robie House 13 - entrance Robie House 14 Robie House 15 Robie House 16 - visitors room Robie House 17 Robie House 18 Robie House 19 Robie House 20 - living room Robie House 21 Robie House 22 Robie House 23 Robie House 24 Robie House 25 - fireplace, living room Robie House 26 Robie House 27 Robie House 28 Robie House 29 Robie House 30 Robie House 31 Robie House 32 - roof Robie House 33 Robie House 34 Robie House 35 Robie House 36 Robie House 37 Robie House 38 - bathroom Robie House 39 Robie House 40 - typical windows Robie House 41 Robie House 42 Robie House 43 - living room Robie House 44 Robie House 45 Robie House 46 - bathroom Robie House 47 - kitchen Robie House 48 Robie House 49 Robie House 50 Robie House 51 Robie House 52 - stairway Robie House 53 Robie House 54 Robie House 55 - wall Robie House 56 - souvenir shop