Bersbach, Alfred, House
Why it's listed
Overlooking Lake Michigan in Wilmette, this two-story brick and stucco house was designed by architect John Van Bergen in 1915 for Alfred and Helena Bersbach and finished in 1916. It has a long, low flat roof with deep eaves, bands of casement windows, a limestone base, and tapestry brick in blended tones. Art glass with geometric patterns appears throughout, and the stair hall is the main vertical feature. The principal rooms face the lake, and the lot slopes down to a private beach. Inside, mahogany trim, a central core of fireplaces, and built-in storage reflect Van Bergen's mature Prairie style. Alterations have been minor, mostly early enclosure of the veranda and sleeping porch and later redecorating. Architectural historians describe it as Van Bergen's masterpiece and his design most influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, and it was sometimes mistaken for Wright's work. It was listed for its Prairie School architecture. The garage and guesthouse is counted as noncontributing.
Significance in brief: The nomination marks it as embodying the distinctive characteristics of the Prairie School (Criterion C) and as the masterpiece of architect John Van Bergen. Architectural historians regard it as his most innovative design and the one most influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is also noted for its siting on the lake and for its largely intact interior and art glass.
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 03000941, listed September 17, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1120 Michigan Ave., Wilmette |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | September 17, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000941 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | John Van Bergen (architect) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and Early 20th Century American Movements/Prairie School |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition following restorations by its owners, with only minor alterations since construction. The original heating system is still in use. The garage/guesthouse is noncontributing. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.08242, -87.69422 (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 03000941.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15179191
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.