In Oak Park, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robert P. Parker House fetches $685K

After two years on the market, an Oak Park home designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright recently sold. Known as the Robert P. Parker House, the 1892 structure arrived early in Wright’s illustrious career and displays more Victorian influences—like an angular turret—compared to the designer’s later work.

Although the exterior may not immediately scream “Wright,” the four-bedroom, two and a half-bathroom residence has no shortage of historic details such as a wood-trimmed foyer with understated stenciling traced along the upper walls.

The property retains many of its original leaded glass windows, and the sturdy wooden doors and flooring show the kind of character one would expect to find in a 128-year-old house. Although the kitchen is newer, the space makes use of custom cabinetry that complements the home’s historic millwork.

“It is one of the more livable Frank Lloyd Wright homes that I have personally seen,” says Baird & Warner agent Saretta Joyner, who represented the seller in the transaction. “There is a balance between the original architecture and the modern amenities that buyers appreciate—like kitchens and bathrooms.

“The previous owners spent a lot of time, money, and effort restoring much of the home to its original design by looking at Wright’s plans. They restored the cedar roof and exterior panels back to its original red color, which was discovered by chipping away at layers of paint,” Joyner tells Curbed Chicago.

Wright designed the Robert P. Parker House while he was still working for Chicago firm Adler & Sullivan, which prohibited its architects from taking on side projects. The creation of the Parker House, along with several other “bootleg” homes, ultimately lead to Wright’s dismissal from the firm.

The architect later went on to develop his own Prairie School of design, epitomized by groundbreaking structures like the Robie House. Wright’s famous later style, however, did incorporate some elements from older projects like Parker House—most notably the home’s overhanging eaves.

The Chicago Avenue property hopped on and off the market since listing in 2017 with an initial asking price of $840,000. It sold on October 15 for $685,000. The Parker House last changed hands in 2014 for $750,000, public records show.