The Robert W. Roloson Houses, a distinctive group of four adjacent row houses, located in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood, stand as a significant early example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s evolving architectural language. Designed in 1894 for stockbroker Robert W. Roloson, these urban dwellings are notable for their departure from typical turn-of-the-century residential architecture, even as they hint at the Prairie Style to come.
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Sullivanesque Features
Unlike many of Wright’s later, freestanding Prairie homes, the Roloson Houses are constrained by their row house format. Their exterior facades, with steeply pitched gables and rectangular bands of windows, display some influences of the English Tudor Revival style. This accounts for why they might not immediately appear “too Prairie-like” to a casual observer, as they predate Wright’s fully matured Prairie aesthetic. However, elements such as the strong horizontal emphasis in the window banding and the clear use of geometric shapes begin to foreshadow his signature style. The geometry of the facades, with their “rigid sequence of Sullivanesque spandrels and thickly mullioned windows,” echoes the structured, almost abstract geometric explorations seen in parts of Wright’s own Home & Studio in Oak Park from a similar period, reflecting his ongoing experimentation with form and massing.
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Innovative Approach to Space
The interior, though adapted to a row house footprint, reflects Wright’s innovative approach to space, moving away from compartmentalized rooms towards more open, flowing layouts. The houses also feature art glass windows, a signature element of Wright’s work. The Roloson Houses are a crucial piece in understanding Wright’s development, demonstrating his ability to apply his burgeoning principles to diverse building types and urban settings. They remain privately owned residences but are recognized architectural landmarks in Chicago, offering a glimpse into the early genius of one of America’s most influential architects.
Location
The Roloson Houses are located at 3213-3219 South Calumet Avenue in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.
Tours
Please be aware that this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home is a privately owned residence and is not open to the public for tours. We kindly ask that you respect the owners’ privacy and refrain from trespassing on the property.
For Sale
Interested in seeing more of this Frank Lloyd Wright property? One of the row houses is currently for sale! Check out this Zillow listing link where you can explore additional photos, interior views, and sale history.
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