Frederick C. Robie House

In 1908, businessman and inventor Frederick C. Robie decided to build a house for his young family. He was resolute about the type of residence he wanted—a cleanly built structure with great overhanging eaves, broad vistas and plenty of light. Robie further stated that he wanted a building "without curvatures and doodads" and rooms "without interruption."

A string of prospective architects told Robie what he was looking for was a house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, so Robie went straight to the source, and Wright completed Robie House in 1910. The design was revolutionary for its time, and nearly a century later the building remains a masterpiece of functional form and the epitome of the uniquely American Prairie style of architecture.

The quintessential Prairie style structure, this icon of modern architecture features sweeping spaces and bands of art glass. The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust is currently returning this spectacular structure to its 1910 appearance, enabling the public to fully experience Wright’s artistic principles.

The Robie House, located on the campus of the University of Chicago is a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation operated by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust.

Restoration Plans and Progress
Robie House has survived many inappropriate uses over the decades, including stints as both a dormitory and administrative offices. The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust is conducting an $8 million, 10-year historic restoration (to be completed in 2007) to return the building to its original appearance. The restoration is funded in part by a $250,000 federal Save America’s Treasures (SAT) grant and $1 million in private SAT funds. The remaining funds are being raised by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust.

Public Access
Public tours are offered daily at the Robie House at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm Monday through Friday, and are available continuously from 11 am until 3 pm on weekends. The house is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Contact Information
Robie House
Frank Lloyd Wright Home Studio Foundation
5757 S. Woodland
Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: 773-834-1847
Website: www.wrightplus.org/new/robiehouse/robiehouse.html
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Other Points of Interest
Explore these links on the National Trust’s Web site to learn more about how preservation benefits individuals and communities.

America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places
Since 1988, this list has been one of the most effective tools in the fight to save America's irreplaceable architectural, cultural, and natural heritage. Use the new 11 Most Endangered database to learn about threatened sites in Illinois.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org

Historic Hotels
Planning a visit to Chicago? Try one of these hotels from the National Trust For Historic Preservation's book, Historic Hotels of America Directory.

Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel
Website: www.nationaltrust.org/historic_hotels

National Trust Historic Sites
The National Trust’s Historic Sites help tell the story of America, and two of them are in and around Chicago.

It was at the Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home & Studio in Oak Park that the architect and his draftsmen developed the Prairie style, changing the course of American residential architecture.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org

Located less than an hour southwest of Chicago, the Gaylord Building was a vital part of the development of the digging of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, which provided a crucial link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org