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Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian-Style Carr House Lists for $1.5 Million

Set just outside of Chicago, the four-bedroom dwelling comes with a heated in-ground pool and three woodland acres

By Geoffrey Montes
Mid-century modern living room with wooden ceilings, fireplace, armchairs, and plants.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Carr House in Glenview, Illinois. Photo: Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty

In its 70-year history, just two families have presided over the Carr House, a secluded woodland retreat that was masterminded by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1950. Crafted in his signature Usonian style, the 3,000-square-foot residence is set on a three-acre parcel some 25 miles from downtown Chicago and just a 15-minute drive from the city’s O’Hare International Airport.

Wright’s masterful sleight of hand is evident throughout the four-bedroom dwelling, which features radiant-heat flooring, Honduran mahogany ceilings, and masonry walls with striking geometric cut outs. This unique motif repeats throughout the home in unexpected places, like the bath.

Mid-century modern house with large windows, surrounded by trees, outdoor seating area, and a small pool in the backyard.
The heated in-ground pool was added in 1958. Photo: Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty

There are also numerous built-in furnishings original to the architect’s design—among them seating and storage units—as well as a series of 30 French doors that open to the outdoors, an important Usonian ideal. Perhaps most striking is the house’s asymmetric peaked roofline, a departure from Wright’s standard flat roof, which cantilevers over the terraces to aid in natural cooling.

Among the non-Wright additions are a heated in-ground pool (added in 1958), garage, primary bedroom suite, and extended dining room in the rear of the residence. The current owners—who took refuge at the estate during the pandemic—have also retained the adjacent three-acre lot, which is available at an additional cost should the buyer be interested.

The Carr House is listed for $1.5 million with Erica Goldman at Sotheby’s International Realty. See more photos below. 

Mid-century living room with wooden ceiling, large bookshelf, armchair, and natural light streaming through windows.
The asymmetric roofline gives the interiors an airy feel. Photo: Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Mid-century modern brick house with large windows, surrounded by trees and a grassy yard.
The house’s asymmetric peaked roofline is a departure from Wright’s standard flat roof and cantilevers over the terraces to aid in natural cooling. Photo: Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Mid-century modern living room with brick fireplace, sloped wooden ceiling, and large windows overlooking a green landscape.
The living area features skylights and French doors. Photo: Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Mid-century modern dining room with wooden ceiling and brick walls, featuring a round table and chairs, windows overlook greenery.
A dining area was a later addition. Photo: Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Vintage bathroom with geometric block windows, green sink, wooden walls, and a mirror reflecting natural light.
The bath features striking geometric cutouts. Photo: Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Spacious bedroom with wooden ceiling, large windows, green bedding, and decorative plants. Mid-century modern design.
One of the bedrooms. Photo: Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Interior view of a house with stone floors, wooden ceiling, and geometric wall design featuring glass accents.
Geometric cutouts figure throughout the home. Photo: Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Modern bathroom with wooden walls, built-in bathtub, shower area, double sink vanity, and natural lighting.
Another bath is clad in Honduran mahogany. Photo: Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Cozy wooden bedroom with a bed, vintage record player, and large windows showing trees outside.
A guest bedroom. Photo: Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Architectural floor plan showing layout including bedrooms, bath, living room, kitchen, utility, and pantry areas.
The floor plan. Photo: Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty