Seven Houses on Lake Shore Drive District

The Seven Houses district includes four grand mansions in the 1200-block and three residences in the 1500-block of Lake Shore Drive. The buildings span different construction periods and showcase varied architectural approaches, from Venetian Gothic to Georgian styles.

These mansions were built between 1889 and 1917 by prominent architects including Holabird & Roche, Benjamin Marshall, and Howard Van Doren Shaw. They were constructed for wealthy families during Chicago's period of rapid economic growth in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The buildings display various architectural styles that reflect the tastes of wealthy Chicago residents in the late 1800s. Walking along the lakefront, you can observe how these homes blended different European design traditions within an American city setting.

The houses can be viewed from Lake Shore Drive and are accessible for exterior observation. One of the buildings now houses the International Museum of Surgical Science, which is open to visitors.

Each mansion displays its own distinctive architectural details, such as ornate stone carvings and classical columns. This variety reflects how individual owners expressed their personal aesthetic preferences in the design of their homes.

GPS coordinates: 41.90561,-87.62528

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:01