Baker, Frank J., House
Also known as: Sobel,Walter H.,House
Why it's listed
Frank Lloyd Wright designed this two-story house at 507 Lake Avenue in Wilmette for Frank J. Baker in 1909. The plan was originally prepared in 1908 for William N. Guthrie of Sewanee, Tennessee, but that project collapsed, and Wright submitted the existing plans to Baker. The house has stucco walls over metal lath, low-pitched hip roofs, and neither basement nor attic. A T-shaped front living area is separated from a rear service area that serves as a substitute for a basement. The two-story living room has a tent-like pitched ceiling, a glass north wall, seven-foot bookcases, and a rose-colored Roman brick fireplace. Two bedrooms and a bath were added at the rear around 1920, and the side porches have been enclosed. The house belongs to a series of T-plan houses Wright designed in 1908-1909 and is valued as a well-kept example of his Oak Park period.
Significance in brief: The house is one of the large residences from the peak of Wright's activity before his European trip, closing his Oak Park period. Its two-story living room is one of only a handful of such Wright interiors that survive from this period. Good repair and careful stewardship make it a representative building of that period.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 74000759, listed November 8, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 507 Lake Ave., Wilmette |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | November 8, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74000759 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1909 |
| Architect / builder | Frank Lloyd Wright |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in excellent condition, occupied as a private residence; altered by enclosed porches and a rear addition of about 1920. |
| Acreage | 0.7 |
| Coordinates | 42.07842, -87.69458 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 74000759.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5487422
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.