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Balch House (1911)

balch house exterior
"Oscar B. Balch House" by Teemu008 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Oscar Balch House is a historic Prairie School residence located in Oak Park, Illinois. Designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the house was built in 1911 for Oscar Balch, a prominent businessman.

The Balch House is notable for its innovative design and use of Prairie School elements. The home features a strong horizontal emphasis, deep eaves, and a central fireplace.

The interior of the house is characterized by its open floor plan and abundant natural light. The living room is a spacious and welcoming space, featuring a large fireplace and built-in bookcases. The dining room and kitchen are also well-appointed, with modern amenities and a seamless flow.

Despite its age, the Balch House remains remarkably well-preserved. The home has been carefully maintained and restored over the years, ensuring that Wright’s original vision is still evident. Today, the Balch House is a designated National Historic Landmark (1973) and a popular destination for architecture enthusiasts and history buffs.

Location

The Balch House is located at 611 N. Kenilworth Ave in Oak Park, IL and is just across the street from Ernest Hemingway’s boyhood home.

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About Me

Yvonne Carpenter-Ross

FLW Enthusiast & Webmaster

Architecture and home design have always fascinated me. As a young girl I enjoyed drawing floor plans, rearranging my parent’s furniture and playing with Lincoln Logs and Legos.  My passion has always been the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. Since I have been old enough to drive a car, I have visited Frank Lloyd Wright homes in the Chicagoland area and attended the Wright Plus house walks. Now, as co-owners of Northern Sky Designs, my husband & I are able to combine our website design skills and FLW travels to bring you this website! Enjoy!

Yvonne Carpenter-Ross