Glessner House

H. H. Richardson's last surviving work in Chicago was commissioned by John and Frances Glessner. This urban residential masterpiece's radical design perplexed neighbors but was quickly embraced by architects for its innovative floor plan. With principal rooms facing inward toward a light-filled private courtyard, it helped create a new American style of residential architecture. An important collection of original furnishings features pieces representing the Aesthetic, Modern Gothic, and the Arts and Crafts movements of both England and the United States. Glessner House was saved from demolition in 1966 thanks to efforts that resulted in the creation of both Glessner House and the Chicago Architecture Center.