The 123-year-old Walser House Chicago, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, located in the Austin neighborhood, remains vacant and in poor condition amid a disputed online sale listing. Exterior view of the historic building after removal of overgrowth, December 2024. Photo by John H. Waters, AIA

Chicago’s historic Walser House Chicago has sparked concern after a false online listing claimed the home was for sale at $350,000. Preservationists say the property is not currently on the market and remains in severe disrepair following a December foreclosure.

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE, ARTCENTRON

False Online Listing Sparks Preservation Alert

CHICAGO — A fake online listing has put the Walser House Chicago in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. Zillow posted the house for $350,000, claiming it was “for sale by owner,” but the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy confirmed the listing is not legitimate.

The Conservancy warned that the listing could mislead potential buyers and further threaten the historic property. “This is not a valid sale offering,” the organization said.

Foreclosure Confusion

The historic home came under Fannie Mae foreclosure control after a court-ordered process in December. Media reports, including a Chicago Sun-Times report, suggested the property might go on the market, but no official sale has been authorized.

The Conservancy removed the false listing from its monitoring platforms and is working to prevent its continued circulation online.

Historic Architecture at Risk

Located at 42 North Central Avenue in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, the Walser House Chicago is 123 years old. Wright’s two-story stucco design influenced many of his later, more famous works.

The home has been vacant for roughly 20 years and is currently uninhabitable. Restoration has an estimate of over $2 million, far exceeding the $350,000 asking price in the false listing. A recent appraisal valued the home at $65,000, highlighting the financial complexity of a real sale.

Landmark Protections Limit Changes

The Walser House in Chicago holds landmark status and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Modifications are strictly controlled to preserve the home’s original character.

Barbara Gordon, executive director of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, said, “The designation protects the design intent, materials, and interior features. Any future buyer must fully understand that responsibility.”

Call for Responsible Buyers

The Conservancy urges Fannie Mae to negotiate only with buyers who have the vision and resources to restore the Walser House Chicago and return it to productive use. Preservationists see this as a rare opportunity to save a key piece of Wright’s early work.

For tips on historic home preservation, see resources from the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy.

Walser House Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

• Location: 42 N. Central Ave., Chicago, Illinois
• Year Built: 1903
• Designations and Legal Protections:
• Chicago Landmark
• National Register of Historic Places

Historic Significance:  The Walser House stands as a pivotal early example of Wright’s exploration into affordable domestic architecture. It set a foundation that informed the evolution of several later residential projects.