Frank Lloyd Wright Homes In Glencoe See Price Cuts

GLENCOE, IL — A pair of Glencoe houses designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for his lawyer a century ago saw cuts to their asking prices in recent months. Both landmark homes were built as part of the Ravine Bluffs development in northeast Glencoe for attorney Sherman Booth and his wife Elizabeth, a leading advocate of voting rights for women.

The larger of the two houses was built for Booth as a scaled-down version of a planned mansion on the 15-acre site, while the smaller cottage was built for Booth's family to live in while construction was underway on the main house. The cottage was later moved to its current location on Franklin Road upon completion of the man house on Sylvan Road.

Booth was also a founding member of the Glencoe Park District. While working on designing his personal estate with Wright, he also hired renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen, the designer of Chicago's West Parks and gardens throughout the North Shore, to create a never-realized plan for the village, according to an online history of Frank Lloyd Wright in Glencoe.

The Ravine Bluffs project, now included on the National Register of Historic Places, was intended to include more than two dozen customizable Wright homes. However, only five were ever built, all of them based on Wrights 1907 design for "A Fireproof House for $5,000."

The larger of the Booth properties, a three-story, 4,000-square-foot design with a rooftop deck, was one of Wright's final completed Prairie-style designs his last completed work in Glencoe, according to the Glencoe Historical Society. The home was purchased in 1967 by Ted and Sonia Bloch from Northwestern University for $74,000. According to Crain's Chicago Business, the couple had no idea they were buying a Wright-designed house at the time. Mr. Bloch died in 2015, and Mrs. Bloch passed away in May, according to obituaries. The home was listed in July 2016 for $1.9 million. Its asking price dropped to $1.15 million in August.

The smaller home was purchased in 1956 by architect Meyer Rudoff and art teacher Doris Rudoff, Crain's reported. Mr. Rudoff died in 2003 and Mrs. Rudoff died in 2014. The home has honorary landmark protection from the village, but that would not protect it from potential demolition. Nonetheless, the current owners told Crain's they have no interest in selling it to someone who is looking to raze the structure. The home was first listed in October 2017, and its asking price was reduced to $825,000 in September.

Earlier: Frank Lloyd Wright Glencoe Cottage Hits Market

According to the Cook County Assessor's Office, the larger Booth home has an estimated 2018 market value of $1,320,220 with annual property taxes of about $32,000. The smaller home has has an estimated market value of $620,290 and an annual property tax bill of about $15,000.

Related: Frank Lloyd Wright Home In Glencoe Listed 3 Months After Selling

Main Sherman Booth House

• Address: 265 Sylvan Road, Glencoe
• Built: 1915
• Price: $1.15 million
• Square Feet: 3,985
• 5 bedrooms, 4.1 bathrooms
• First listed: $1.9 million in July 2016
• Realtor's listing: Frank Lloyd Wright splendor!! This beautiful home is situated in the lush wooded ravines of East Glencoe, on a hidden and serene 3/4-acre lot. The open living spaces are classic Frank Lloyd Wright pulling in the stunning views and creating a tranquil and timeless feel. It has been meticulously maintained and is perfect for both entertaining and everyday living. 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, (including 2 master suites), and 4 wood-burning fireplaces add comfort to this spacious home. A grand living room (36 x 22) leads into an all-season enclosed garden room overlooking the ravine, bubbling brook and beautiful gardens. Many original Wright details inside and out, including sconces, hardware, art glass and built-in bookshelves and seating. This home has been meticulously maintained by the long-time owners. It's move-in ready - or update to your hearts content. This is a masterpiece, and truly a wonderful legacy home.

This listing originally appeared on realtor.com. For more information and photos, click here.

Booth Family Summer Cottage

• Address: 239 Franklin Road, Glencoe
• Built: 1924
• Price: $825,000
• Square Feet: 1,755
• 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• First listed: $1 million in October 2017
• Realtor's listing: Special home in search of a very special buyer! Love Architecture and Mid Century Modern - Be prepared to fall head over heels in love! Classic hardwood floors and beautiful wood paneling highlight this Frank Lloyd Wright designed home. Walls of windows fill every room with abundant natural light. large Pantry complements the modest Kitchen. Built in 1913 for Sherman Booth, Wright's friend and attorney. Home features large beautiful front yard with professional landscaping and circular driveway. Recognized with Honorary Landmark status by the Village of Glencoe and the Glencoe Historic Preservation Commission, the owner is seeking a specific buyer who will commit to preserving this fabulous historical home. Seeking Wright enthusiasts and architects to bring this home back to its former glory or a Visionary with the knowledge skills and abilities to move the home once again to a new location for long term preservation.

This listing originally appeared on realtor.com. For more information and photos, click here.