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Noble-Seymour-Crippen House – Chicago’s Oldest Existing Building

Optima® is always thrilled to illuminate the quiet corners that resonate with historical depth. One such gem, tucked away in the Norwood Park neighborhood, is the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House. More than a mere building, this house is a piece of Chicago’s history, a testament to its rich past and the dreams of its earliest settlers.

The Noble-Seymour-Crippen House, with roots tracing back to 1833, is not only older than the City of Chicago itself but also stands as its oldest existing house. Its age, however, isn’t the only characteristic that makes this house noteworthy. Every brick, beam, window and wall, tells a tale of the city’s journey and the individuals who crafted its narrative.

The residence, initially a modest one-story frame farmhouse, was the brainchild of settler and entrepreneur Mark Noble. However, as Chicago burgeoned, so did the house’s grandeur.

By 1868, Thomas Seymour, its new owner, and a prominent member of Chicago’s Board of Trade, transformed it into a sprawling two-story Victorian haven.

Margaret Crippen’s Bedroom. Photo: Norwood Park Historical Society

Yet, the true distinction of the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House lies in its ties to the city’s pioneers: Mark Noble, Thomas Seymour, and the later contributions of the Crippen family. Each influenced Chicago’s burgeoning tapestry. Their legacies, encapsulated within the house’s walls, serve as a living testament to their contributions.

The house, designated a Chicago Landmark in 1987, is the proud home of the Norwood Park Historical Society, where visitors can go on a historical odyssey through Chicago’s early epochs. Its woodwork, decorative elements, and aura transport you back in time, providing a tangible connection to the city’s origins.

For those who enjoy exploration, the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House isn’t merely a landmark; it serves as a journey, a step back in time during the city’s formative years. As we revel in the grand architectural marvels of today, places like this remind us of our city’s foundation. Next time you find yourself longing for a touch of historical elegance, visit the house, and immerse yourself in another page of Chicago’s vibrant story.

The Arthur B. Heurtley House: A Testament to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Design Evolution

Just a few miles west from Optima Signature®, in the heart of Oak Park, sits a quiet, residential gem that stands as yet another testament to the genius of America’s most iconic architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. This architectural marvel, the Arthur Heurtley House, isn’t just a house, but an embodiment of Wright’s early Prairie School style that continues to endure as a remarkable example of design innovation and integrity.

Constructed in 1902 during a transformative epoch in Wright’s illustrious career, the Heurtley House is an expression of Wright’s creative evolution. The robust brick structure and distinct horizontal orientation lay over the landscape seamlessly, epitomizing Wright’s commitment to designing in sympathy with nature – a signature of his design philosophy.

Arthur B. Heurtley House Floor Plan

Look closer, and the house’s intricate design elements come into sharp focus. The low-pitched hip roof with deep overhangs, the bands of art glass windows, and the central chimney mass all contribute to an emphasis on the home’s horizontality while offering an elegant vertical counterpoint. The material palette – a medley of Roman brick, limestone, and plaster – not only reinforces the building’s robust character but also harmonizes the house with its environment, establishing continuity that is both visually striking and inviting.

Inside, the Heurtley House continues to narrate the story of Wright’s architectural vision. The choice of natural materials, from the art glass windows to wooden trims and panels, exudes a warm, homey charm. The open floor plan, a distinctive characteristic of Wright’s Prairie style, allows a free flow of space and the dining room has a vaulted, wood banded ceiling with a prow shaped bay of art glass and a ribbon of leaded windows facing west, seamlessly inviting a flood of natural light.

Living Room, Arthur B. Heurtley House. Photo: James Caulfield

The interior furnishings, custom-designed by Wright as part of the home’s construction, ensure a consistent aesthetic narrative throughout the house. This meticulously detailed approach, down to the furniture, reveals Wright’s relentless pursuit of architectural harmony and holistic design.

Over a century later, the Arthur Heurtley House continues to shine as a beacon of architectural brilliance and its presence — a tribute to Wright’s vision and the timeless beauty of his Prairie style. As always, we take immense delight in celebrating these iconic modernist structures. They not only enrich our architectural landscape but also provide a rich source of inspiration for our own commitment to design, innovation, and community.

Exploring Wilmette: Plaza del Lago

Plaza Del Lago, nestled on Sheridan Road in the heart of Wilmette, and a short distance from Optima VerdanaⓇ, is a historic marvel that effortlessly blends architectural elegance with commercial success. Conceived in the Roaring Twenties, this Spanish-style district was the first of its kind in the state, and it has persevered through time, maintaining its significance in the community as a hub for engagement. 

Real estate visionary Henry G. Foreman was the mastermind behind Plaza Del Lago. In 1927, Foreman and various North Shore locals embarked on creating Spanish Court, a Mediterranean-inspired commercial hub boasting luxury apartments, upscale retail stores, and an automobile service station. Chicago-based architect Edward Hill Clark drew up the plans, initially intending to build four Spanish architecture-style complexes, a style associated with affluence at the time, along Sheridan Road. 

Construction of the plaza concluded in 1928, and it promptly opened its doors to its first occupants, which included Spanish Court Pharmacy, Teatro del Lago, and Bill’s Realty. The architecture uniquely blended Spanish and Mediterranean influences with early 20th-century American design. The intricate archways, vibrant tiles, and ornate ironwork stand as a testament to the detailed craftsmanship that brought this landmark to life. 

Unfortunately, a fire in the mid-1930s affected many buildings in the area, slowing traffic. However, years later, Evanston lawyer Plato Foufas discovered that a large section of the community, including the Spanish Court, was up for sale. Upon purchasing the land, Foufas began the renovation of the famed shopping plaza in 1967, adding arcade shops, new stores, a street fountain and renaming it Plaza del Lago. 

Plaza del Lago Bell Tower
Credit: Secretname101, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Over the years, Plaza Del Lago has expertly balanced vintage charm with modern utility. The original structure is carefully preserved, with several buildings retaining their initial function. The plaza’s bell tower, a feature from the original construction in 1928, remains one of its main architectural highlights today. The plaza now hosts a variety of annual events, from a summer concert series to art and car shows, along with a mixture of boutiques, gourmet food outlets and wellness studios, upholding Foreman’s vision of a bustling community hub. 

Today, Plaza Del Lago remains a timeless symbol of Wilmette’s history and enduring spirit. It enchants visitors with its architectural grandeur, vibrant retail scene, and picturesque lakeside vistas, standing proudly as a prominent fixture in Wilmette’s narrative.

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