Isidore H. Heller House

Stepping back in time to 1897, imagine a bustling Hyde Park neighborhood. Right here, at 5132 South Woodlawn Avenue, the Isidore H. Heller House was rising. This wasn’t just any house. This was an architectural marvel designed by the renowned Frank Lloyd Wright for Isidore H. Heller, a successful merchant. The Isidore H. Heller House showcases Wright’s transition to his signature Prairie School style. Horizontal lines dominate, mirroring the vast prairies of the Midwest. The roof, with its raised monitor section, adds a unique touch. Look closely at the facade. Notice the buff Roman brick, interspersed with gray bricks on the upper floors. This, combined with the gray mortar, further emphasizes the horizontal nature of the design. Wright’s innovative use of glazed, patterned stained glass panels in the windows adds to the home’s distinctive charm. Richard Bock, a frequent collaborator of Wright’s, contributed the striking frieze on the third floor. This allegorical frieze, depicting female maidens inspired by John Keats’s poetry, is a unique element in Wright’s residential designs. Sadly, much of its intricate detail was lost during later restoration work. Inside the Isidore H. Heller House, the layout is as intriguing as the exterior. The floor plan is essentially one room wide, divided by a central stair hall. The first floor boasts sash windows, sand-plaster walls, and rich oak trim. Visualize the cruciform-shaped living room, bathed in gold, yellow, and green hues, warmed by a brick-and-oak fireplace. Nearby, the dining room echoes the same cruciform design and features a similar fireplace. The second floor was originally designed for bedrooms and bathrooms. It includes a master bedroom, complete with a fireplace that remained hidden for many years. An elevator provides access to the third floor, initially intended for servants’ quarters and a playroom but later converted into a separate apartment. The Isidore H. Heller House remained in the Heller family’s possession until 1913. It then passed through various owners, each leaving their mark on the house’s history. In 2004, the house was purchased by Steve Goldstein, who recognized it as an “investment in art and history.” The Isidore H. Heller House stands as a testament to Wright’s genius and a significant landmark in Chicago’s architectural landscape. Its unique design and rich history make it a true gem in Hyde Park.