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| Frank Lloyd Wright-designed William H. Winslow House, River Forest, IL |
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| Pamela Tilton |
CHICAGO, IL (Dec.
11, 2013) – Premier real estate brokerage firm Jameson Sotheby's International
Realty (JSIR) has announced that the firm is representing the Walker family in
the sale of the historic William H. Winslow House in River Forest, Ill.
The Winslow House, which represents architect Frank Lloyd
Wright’s first independent commission, will be listed for $2.4 million on
December 16.
"The Winslow
House exemplifies a truly exceptional living experience, and is so special
because it is the type of landmark home that rarely comes on the market,” said Chris
Feurer, chief executive officer at JSIR.
“We’re honored to be entrusted with the sale of this
important piece of architectural history, which is as cherished today as it has
been for generations.”
Built in 1893, most
of the home’s features are original, including the quarter-sawn white oak
floors and hand-carved front door, columns and archways.
Some of the home’s features were fabricated by its original
owner, William H. Winslow, including bronze sconces and other ironwork
details that still adorn the home’s interiors and exterior.
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| Chris Feurer |
The Winslow Brothers Company, makers of ornamental
ironworks, fabricated the façade of the Carson Pirie Scott building and much of
the copper-plated, cast-iron ornamental designs in the former Chicago Stock
Exchange.
Winslow met Wright while the young architect was working for
the architectural firm Adler and Sullivan.
“While other Frank Lloyd Wright homes have endured decades
of remodeling, the Winslow House is one of the best-preserved Wright homes,”
said Pamela Tilton, the JSIR broker representing the Walker family. “The
seller has owned the home for more than 55 years, and there have only been five
owners in its entire 120-year history.”
A grand reception hall with a private inglenook, featuring
built-in seating and a fireplace, greets visitors upon entry into the home.
Tilton said some of the stand-out features include a living
room with a polygonal bay window with built-in seating, and a dining room with
a stunning solarium with built-in seating and art-glass windows.
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| Frank Lloyd Wright |
“Tangible evidence of Wright’s emerging design philosophy is
visible throughout the house,” said Tilton. “It’s hard to imagine that at the
young age of 26, Wright created such architecturally significant buildings and
interior designs.”
The 5,036-square-foot home also includes very generously
sized rooms, such as a library, four bedrooms, a family room with a fireplace
and 3½ baths, in addition to a servant’s quarters on the third floor.
The Winslow home
exhibits early features of Wright's Prairie style, including wide eaves, a
hipped roof and Roman brick. A large stable, also reflective of early Prairie
style design, sits behind the home.
The stable had originally been built for carriages and
horses, but was subsequently modified to accommodate cars. It also has living
space that includes one bedroom and 1½ baths.
Among the few
renovations made over the last century, are the enclosure of the back porch, a
remodeled kitchen and the addition of a powder room on the first floor.
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| Colleen Vihtelic |
“The enclosed porch is an ideal spot for entertaining or
just relaxing with family,” said Tilton.
“But the floor plan throughout the home
has lots of private nooks, which are perfect for curling up with a book, or
catching up with friends.
" The Winslow House embodies the quaint time period of
a century ago, along with a contemporary lifestyle. It is truly ideal for both
entertaining and daily living.”
Very few tours of
the Winslow House have been granted over the past 55 years, although the Walker
family routinely welcomed architects from all over the world arriving
unannounced at their doorstep.
“My family has cared for this home for more than 55 years,
and it holds a special place for us and for all who admire Wright’s work,” said
Peter Walker, of the Walker family. “My brothers and I grew up in this
home and we hope that the next family will be good stewards and enjoy the home
as much as we did for decades to come.”
A note signed by
Wright is in the Walker family library, simply stating to Bill Walker,
Peter’s father, "Take good care of it."
Walker added, “My mother kept
the home in pristine condition up until her death earlier this year, and
preserving its history and character has been a great source of pride for our
family.”
After Wright’s death
in 1959, the American Institute of Architects Board passed a resolution stating
that seventeen of his most significant works “be forever preserved.” The
Winslow House was toward the top of that list, and was later added to the
National Register of Historic Places in 1970.
Feurer added,
“Jameson Sotheby’s mantra has long been to ‘Expect the Exceptional.’
And
representing the owners of a home this rare, and this rich in international
history and elegance, is both humbling and rewarding.”
For a complete
copy of the company’s news release, please contact:
Julie Liedtke,
312-267-4521
Kim Manning,
312-267-4527
For more information on the Winslow House, contact Pamela
Tilton at 312.446.7714 / ptilton@jamesonsir.com
or Colleen Vihtelic at 773.255.5837 / cvihtelic@jamesonsir.com.
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