Own a Frank Lloyd Wright “Bootleg” Gem in Illinois For $1.2M
In the leafy neighborhood of La Grange, Illinois, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s last "bootleg" houses has resurfaced on the market for $1,199,000.
Punctuated with dormers of various sizes and sharply pitched roofs, this eye-catching home is a landmark in the La Grange neighborhood.
Commissioned by attorney W. Irving Clark, the residence is one of several "bootleg" homes Wright secretly designed during his time at Adler & Sullivan, which forbade outside commissions. As a workaround, Wright removed his name from the designs, which were initially attributed to E. Hill Turnock; the house was eventually confirmed as Wright design in the 1970s.
The Palladian window and steeply pitched roof echo the style found in Wright's Oak Park house. Fun fact: The house once belonged to famous Chicago news anchor Joel Daly in the ’70s and ’80s.
The home shares common traits with much of Wright’s early work, including his Oak Park home and studio. Such features include the steeply pitched roof with a Palladian window in the center; the bay windows fitted with the same diamond leaded glass patterns; and the porch shaped in a half-octagon.
Fitted with original flooring and paneling, the light-filled vestibule includes a large curved door with beveled glass and a large swinging door that leads to the foyer.
The living room overlooks the street with a large bay window with original leaded glass panes. The original hardwood floors include an exterior oak border and an inner area of pine (covered by the rug, which comes with the home).
Recently renovated and expanded to nearly 4,000 square feet, the W. Irving Clark house still retains its original Wrightian elements and fixtures—from the four working wood-burning fireplaces to the breathtaking stained glass window in the staircase leading to the second floor.
The family room includes a large bay window with original leaded glass and original hardwood floors.
A wood-burning fireplace with a tile surround and wooden mantel anchors the family room. Note the sliding pocket door (one of many in the home) that leads to the foyer.
The first floor includes a vestibule, foyer and hallway, living room, dining room, family room, den, and a recently expanded chef’s kitchen with a breakfast room leading to a screened porch.
Remodeled in 2012, the expanded chef's kitchen is fitted with quartz countertops, state-of-the-art appliances, and an abundance of cabinet space. The high-end ceramic tile above the Wolf range mimics the Wright tile found in the fireplace surrounds.
The remodeled breakfast room comes with a built-in table with a display cabinet and six chairs. The built-in hutch in the corner is original to the home. The renovation converted the antique kerosene fixture to run on electricity.
The second floor holds three bedrooms and a spacious master suite with a new bathroom and walk-in closet. The third floor has a game room (the former ball room), the fifth bedroom, and a storage room.
The dining room includes a built-in hutch with glass display doors and a lower cabinet, as well as a period light fixture.
A peek inside the ground-floor powder room with a marble-top vanity and period faucet.
The den is accessible from the foyer and the family room and comes with built-in bookcases with glass doors and drawers.
An original stained glass nine-panel window illuminates the stairway to the second floor. All wallpaper was created specifically for this home using architectural renderings for the design, and then hung by a Bradbury-licensed wallpaper artisan.
The second-floor landing is lined with carpet and comes with an original fireplace with tile surround and a wooden mantel.
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The large master bedroom comes with a luxurious master bath, three closets, and two large windows.
The master walk-in closet includes custom cabinets and a washer/dryer with a folding surface.
The master bath features reproduction tile floors with radiant heating, two pedestal sinks, a Kohler commode, and (not pictured here) a large steam shower with a ceramic tile surround and built-in bench.
The beautiful second bedroom in the southwest corner of the home has an original fireplace and windows with leaded glass panels.
The second-floor hallway bath features reproduction tile flooring, a vintage-style large mirror, and a double marble-top vanity.
The smaller third bedroom in the southeast has a wall of windows and a door to the upper deck above the screened porch.
The third-floor landing comes with built-in bookcases and a large additional storage closet.
Formerly the ball room, this expansive third-floor space now serves as a carpeted game room. The pool table and an L-shaped LazyBoy couch are included.
A look inside the fifth bedroom on the third floor.
The sewing room is in the basement. The floors are laminate.
The mud room is fitted with a custom door to the driveway and garage that's designed to match the front and vestibule doors.
Shaped as a half octagon, the screened porch overlooks professionally landscaped lawns with brick paver walkways.
The rear portion of the cedar shake roof is new with the 2012 addition.
The remodel turned the two-story coach house into a garage with space for two large SUVs and plenty of storage.
W. Irving Clark House basement floor plan
W. Irving Clark House first floor plan
W. Irving Clark House second floor plan
W. Irving Clark House third floor plan
211 South La Grange Road, La Grange, Illinois is currently listed by Hanscom & Ellison Group for $1,199,000. See the full listing here.
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