Glessner, John J., House
Why it's listed
Rock-faced granite ashlar dominates the exterior of this Chicago house at 1800 South Prairie Avenue, built in 1886 to designs by Henry Hobson Richardson. The plan is U-shaped around an interior court, with brick court walls and extensive oak paneling inside. It is described as an excellent example of Richardson Romanesque, and its stonework was carried out exactly as the architect detailed it. The house is valued for its advanced planning around a central court, which broke from nineteenth century thinking and influenced many architects of the Chicago School. Richardson is counted among the great triumvirate of American architects alongside Wright and Sullivan. The Chicago School of Architecture Foundation acquired the building in 1966 and began restoration, though a new roof and other work were still needed. The Foundation also sponsored public lectures and exhibits, started an architecture library, and kept original drawings and artifacts from demolished buildings at the house.
Significance in brief: The nomination holds that the house is an excellent example of Richardson's architectural idiom, in the style called Richardson Romanesque. It is especially notable for its advanced plan developed around a central court. It marked a departure from 19th century thinking and influenced many members of the Chicago School of Architecture.
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 70000233, listed April 17, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1800 S. Prairie Ave., Chicago |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Listed | April 17, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000233 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1886 |
| Architect / builder | Henry Hobson Richardson (architect) |
| Architectural style | Richardson Romanesque |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated January 17, 1976 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as structurally sound and in fair condition, with mechanical systems renewed and a new roof urgently needed. It was owned by the Chicago School of Architecture Foundation, which used it for lectures, exhibits and a architecture library. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Within district | Prairie Avenue District |
| Coordinates | 41.85779, -87.62116 (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 70000233.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q3181814
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.