The Warren McArthur House, designed in 1892, is a landmark of Frank Lloyd Wright’s early career in Chicago’s Kenwood neighborhood. Built during the same prolific year as the “Bootleg” houses in Oak Park, this residence was a clandestine commission for Warren McArthur, a successful businessman and close friend of Wright, completed while Wright was still the head draftsman for Adler & Sullivan.
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A Masterpiece in Transition
The McArthur House is a brilliant example of Wright’s ability to manipulate traditional forms into something entirely new. While it is often categorized as Dutch Colonial Revival due to its gambrel roof, the house is far from traditional. Wright utilized a high basement of Roman brick and a simplified, geometric facade that moved away from the cluttered Victorian styles of the 1890s.
Key features of the design include:
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The “Floating” Gambrel Roof: A design element that Wright would continue to refine in his early independent works.
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Arched Entryways: These reflect the heavy influence of his mentor, Louis Sullivan, yet are executed with a clean, modern restraint.
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Art Glass: The home features beautiful, custom-designed leaded glass windows, a hallmark of Wright’s desire for total artistic control over his environments.
Warren McArthur eventually moved his family to Arizona, where his sons would later commission Wright to design the famous Arizona Biltmore Hotel, proving that the seeds of patronage planted in Chicago would bloom decades later in the desert.
Plan Your Visit
Location 📍
The Warren McArthur House is situated in the historic Kenwood district, a neighborhood rich with architectural history, including several other early Wright designs.
Curb-Side Viewing Only 🛑
Please note that the Warren McArthur House is a privately owned residence and is not open to the public for tours. We ask that visitors respect the privacy of the residents and view the architecture from the sidewalk.
Tour 🎫
While the interior is private, the Kenwood neighborhood is a popular destination for self-guided architectural walks. For those looking for an official guided experience, the Chicago Architecture Center frequently includes the Kenwood area in its neighborhood walking tours. The house is also occasionally a highlight of regional architectural events focusing on Wright’s early period.
Make it a Trip 🧳
The McArthur House is located just steps away from the George Blossom House, but these two sites represent only a small fraction of Wright’s output during his “prolific rebellion” of 1892. To truly understand this turning point in his career, we recommend viewing these Kenwood homes alongside the “Bootleg Triplets” in Oak Park and the Charnley-Persky House on the Gold Coast. Together, this collection of 1892 sites reveals an architect rapidly outgrowing the shadows of his mentors.
For the ultimate architectural walk, start here in Kenwood and head just one mile south into Hyde Park to tour the legendary Robie House. Seeing the McArthur House (1892) alongside the Robie House (1910) provides a stunning visual timeline of Wright’s journey from a rebellious apprentice to a global icon.
To explore this historic stretch of Chicago’s South Side, check out our curated collection of hotels near the University of Chicago and Hyde Park on our Expedia storefront.
Additional Resources & Inspired Products
Find unique products, books, and gifts inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright at our Amazon storefront: Wright at Home!
- Hometown Architect: The Complete Buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright in Oak Park And River Forest, Illinois
- The Bootleg Homes of Frank Lloyd Wright: His Clandestine Work Revealed by Bob Hartnett