Race House

The Race House is a four-story Italianate building with red brick walls, white limestone trim, and decorative painted wood details at 3945 North Tripp Avenue. The structure displays typical features of late-19th-century architecture with ornate details on the facade and window frames.

Built in 1874 for Stephen Race, it remains the last surviving home of Irving Park's founding family. The structure received Chicago Landmark designation in 1988.

The house sits in a neighborhood built along an ancient Native American trade route that crossed Chicago's northwest side. This old pathway still influences how the streets are laid out in the area today.

The building underwent major renovation in 2002 that included converting attic space into a master suite and restoring period-appropriate features. Visitors should know the structure is well-maintained as an important local landmark.

In 1924 the entire house was rotated 90 degrees and moved to its current location to make room for commercial development. This unusual relocation preserved the structure while allowing the neighborhood to grow.