Wright's Influence On Chicago Evident in Architecture Tours

Architectural River Tour - Chicago, IL

Down the Chicago River

Architecture buffs will be mesmerized by the crown jewels of great builders such as Mies van der Rohe, Skidmore Owings & Merrill, and Helmut Jahn.

"Architects may come and architects may go and never change your point of view.... I stop awhile and think of you, So long Frank Lloyd Wright." So sang the famous musical duo, Simon & Garfunkel, about the passing of America's most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.

Arriving in Chicago at the youthful age of 20, Wright began his career as a draftsman at an architecture office, where his mentor Louis H. Sullivan helped him to see architecture in a unique and personal light. In 1893, Wright opened his own office out of his home in Oak Park, and thus began the real career of one of the world's most revolutionary and beloved architects. Chicago is home to a vast treasure trove of some of Wright's best work, and examples of his architecture stand all over the city. Visitors to Chicago will most likely want to locate a few of his buildings on their own, and also take a guided tour highlighting the architecture of Chicago.

Frank Lloyd Wright literally thought "out of the box" when it came to buildings, and especially to homes. The typical home of his day was boxy and rigid; but Frank Lloyd Wright breathed new life into residential architecture. His style, which defies easy categorization, became known as Prairie Style, and was based on flow within buildings, instead of barriers and secluded rooms.

To get an introduction to Chicago's rich architecture, including some of Wright's work, consider taking a guided tour of Chicago before beginning explorations on your own. The Architectural River Tour includes 40 famous landmarks by such architects as Mies van der Rohe, Skidmore Owings & Merrill and Helmut Jahn. The Skyline Boat Tour is a boat tour of the city's landmarks, offering a unique perspective on the skyline from the water, and departing from the famous Navy Pier. Southshore Tour takes visitors on a luxury motorcoach to see architecture and hear about history and culture, while the Land and Lake Tour combines the best city views from both a motorcoach and a yacht. One final Chicago tour is the Northside Chicago Tour, focusing on the John Hancock Tower, the Loop, Richard J. Daley Plaza, Lincoln Park Conservatory and the Magnificent Mile.

Once you have been on a guided tour of the city, it's time to explore on your own! Over 100 Wright-designed buildings can be seen in the Chicago Metro area, including these, some of his best examples:

Waller Apartments: 2840-58 West Walnut St.
Charnley House: 1365 North Astor St.
Kenwood District: Bounded by East 47th, East 51st, South Blackstone and South Drexel
Roloson Houses: 3213-19 South Calumet Ave.
Heller House: 5132 South Woodlawn Ave.
Adams House: 9326 South Pleasant St.
Foster House & Stable: 12147 South Harvard Ave.
Walser House: 42 North Central
Rookery Building: 209 South LaSalle St.
Longwood Drive District: 9800-11000 blocks of South Longwood, 10400-10700 blocks of South Seeley.
Robie House: 5757 South Woodlawn Ave.
Bach House: 7415 North Sheridan Rd.
American System-Built Houses: 10410 and 10541 South Hoyne Ave.
Serving as a home to America's most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, the city of Chicago was the canvas of his artistry, and gained a collection of beautiful buildings designed by him. Today, these beautiful and historically significant pieces of architecture stand for all visitors to see, and making them realize the powerful influence that Frank Lloyd Wright had on the architectural world.