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The Avery Coonley Playhouse, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed property in Riverside, Illinois, is on the market for $750,000 in 2026. This unique 3,503-square-foot residence, originally a schoolhouse, offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of architectural history. While the home features updated bedrooms and baths, a restored auditorium, and museum-quality replica windows, its kitchen presents a renovation opportunity for new owners. Based on our experience assessment, this price reflects the property's historical significance and the specialized upkeep required for a landmark property, a designation for a site recognized for its historical or architectural importance.
Built in 1912, the structure was commissioned by Avery and Queene Coonley as a progressive elementary school, complete with an auditorium and stage. It represents a prime example of Wright’s Prairie School architecture, a style characterized by horizontal lines, flat or hipped roofs with broad overhanging eaves, and integration with the landscape. In 1917, the building was converted into a private residence. The current owners, who purchased the home in 1980 for $260,000, have dedicated decades to its careful restoration and renovation, ensuring its historical integrity remains intact for future custodians.
The most prominent feature is the grand living room, which was the original auditorium and stage. This expansive space includes a fireplace and retains its historic proportions. The home is also renowned for its "kinder-symphony" leaded-glass windows, which are windows made from small pieces of glass joined by lead cames. These windows, inspired by a parade with balloons and confetti, are noted for being the first introduction of circles into Wright’s designs. While many of the original windows were sold by previous owners, the current custodians have commissioned and installed meticulous, museum-quality reproductions that capture the original's artistic intent. The home now has two updated bedrooms with adjacent bathrooms featuring marble countertops.
The primary area awaiting modernization is the kitchen. It retains some of the original cabinetry and elements from its time as a culinary arts teaching space. While it includes modern appliances like a Viking stove and a dishwasher, the space is acknowledged by the listing agent as a project for the next owner. This presents a chance to customize a key living area while respecting the home's architectural legacy. The sellers have focused their recent efforts on making the bedrooms and a new family room (converted from a storage area) move-in ready, strategically leaving the kitchen for the next owner to design.
Evaluating the value of a unique historic property involves more than just price per square foot. The recent sale of the larger, 6,000-square-foot Avery Coonley House on the same grounds for $1,150,000 in early 2026 provides a relevant market comparison. This suggests a market for Wright properties in Riverside. Prospective buyers should consider the long-term value of owning an architecturally significant home, balanced with the ongoing responsibility and potential costs of maintaining a historic structure. The sellers have priced it to attract a buyer who will act as a curator, appreciating its architecture above all.
For potential buyers, the key considerations are a genuine appreciation for Frank Lloyd Wright’s work, a willingness to undertake a defined kitchen renovation, and an understanding of the stewardship required for a landmark property. The Avery Coonley Playhouse is not just a house but a piece of American architectural history, offering a living experience unlike any other.
