For the First Time Ever, This Winsome Illinois Home by Frank Lloyd Wright Is on the Market
The John O. Carr House, built in 1950, has been expanded by its architect resident, who took painstaking care to preserve its original character.
Never before listed publicly, the John O. Carr House by Frank Lloyd Wright is now for sale in Glenview, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Originally completed in 1950, it’s been owned by the family of local architect Edward S. Busche since the 1960s, during which time Busche led several thoughtful expansions to the residence. Today, spaces designed by Wright stand alongside the additions—one largely indistinguishable from the other.
Available for the first time in decades, the 1950 John O. Carr house by Frank Lloyd Wright sits on an idyllic three-acre lot about 25 miles northwest of Chicago. Wright's original design heavily informed architect-resident Edward S. Busche’s structural expansion in the 1980s.
Photo by Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Original sections of the residence blend in with those added by Busche’s now-dissolved firm, Busche & Markson. Here, the original entryway features unique pierced-concrete blocks that Wright designed to allow sunlight to penetrate the front facade and adjacent spaces.
Photo by Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
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During renovations, Busche’s team retained the original floor plan while adding several hundred square feet to the ends of different wings. Among the newer spaces is a sunken seating area opposite the living room, a principal bedroom suite, an expanded dining area, and a family room overlooking the backyard pool.
Throughout the interior, Wright's Usonian features—including exposed brick walls, mahogany board-and-batten ceilings, flagstone floors, and distinct fenestration—were also replicated to seamlessly connect old and new sections. The finished product was featured in an 1982 edition of House Beautiful.
A sunken seating area is located just off of the entrance. Decoratively hanging above the fireplace are mahogany block templates that Busche and his team used to replicate Wright’s original block design throughout the new rooms.
Photo by Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Materials and features along the floors, walls, and ceilings were all painstakingly matched and seamlessly replicated to convincingly integrate old and new halves.
Photo by Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Another view of the sunken area looks back toward the entryway and the original living room.
Photo by Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
A central column of built-in cabinetry and shelving divides the living room, which also features a wall of French doors—just a few of the 30 sets throughout the home.
Photo by Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
The living room also features a large fireplace and built-in seating. A half wall provides separation between kitchen and dining room.
Photo by Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
In total, the home now offers four bedrooms, along with three-and-a-half bathrooms, spread out across 2,973 square feet of interior space. Outside, a spacious, three-acre lot provides ample privacy and borders a nature preserve, as well as an additional three-acre lot that can be purchased separately. Keep scrolling to see more of the home, currently listed for $1,695,000.
A look at the U-shaped kitchen.
Photo by Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Adjacent to the kitchen, the dining area was reportedly enlarged by Busche's firm in the 1980s.
Photo by Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
A poolside family room was also part of the Busche-led expansion. Floor-to-ceiling mitered glass windows wrap around corners of the space.
Photo by Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
At the opposite end of the home, Busche also added a new principal suite and a private terrace.
Photo by Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
The adjacent bathroom continues the material palette of flagstone, mahogany, and brick.
Photo by Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
A closer view of the tub shows a live tree growing in the double-height corner.
Photo by Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
A look at the private terrace off of the principal suite.
Photo by Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Another wing of the home features a carport.
Photo by Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Off of the family room, a large patio surrounds the in-ground heated pool and overlooks a 150-acre nature preserve that borders the property.
Photo by Matara Media for Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
Carr House floor plan
Courtesy of Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty
The Carr House, located at 1544 Portage Run in Glenview, Illinois, is currently listed for $1,695,000 by Erica Goldman and Christopher Stephens of Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty.
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