Ravine Bluffs Development

Ravine Bluffs Development is a residential complex with six houses sharing identical floor plans, alongside three concrete sculptures and a bridge spanning over the natural terrain. The entire site is woven into the existing landscape with careful attention to how buildings and grounds relate to each other.

The project was designed in 1915 and built on Wright's Fireproof House concept, an approach meant to test new residential building methods. It was created as rental properties, marking an important moment in how American residential design was evolving.

The buildings show Prairie School principles through horizontal lines, natural materials, and how they sit within the landscape. The structures and sculptures are spread across the site to work with the natural hills rather than against them.

The site is accessible as a residential neighborhood, though the houses themselves are private homes and cannot be entered. Visitors can view the exterior of the buildings, the bridge, and the sculptures from the public pathways around the development.

The Sylvan Road Bridge is one of only two bridges Wright ever built, making it a less-known part of his architectural work. This crossing reveals how he integrated infrastructure directly into his design approach across the entire site.

Location: Glencoe

Architects: Frank Lloyd Wright

Architectural style: Prairie School architecture

GPS coordinates: 42.14444,-87.76333

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:07