Eugene A. Gilmore House

The Eugene A. Gilmore House is a Prairie School residence in Madison featuring a cross-shaped layout with wings extending from a central pavilion, topped with copper roofing. Horizontal wood trim runs across the entire structure, emphasizing its wide, spreading design.

Frank Lloyd Wright designed this residence in 1908 for law professor Eugene Gilmore during a period of intense architectural innovation. The building became one of the notable examples of Wright's work in the region and marked a new direction in residential design.

The residence reflects early 1900s thinking, when architects began breaking away from older styles and started considering the surrounding landscape as part of design. The strong horizontal lines and how the building sits in relation to nature show this shift in approach.

The property sits at the intersection of North Prospect Avenue and Ely Place with living areas positioned on the second floor to take advantage of views toward Madison's lakes. The location is easy to find and the surrounding neighborhood is walkable.

Local residents call it the Airplane House because of its geometric form that suggests aircraft wings. It stands as the only building Wright designed and built in Madison during his Prairie School years.

Location: Madison

Architects: Frank Lloyd Wright

Architectural style: Prairie School architecture

GPS coordinates: 43.07081,-89.41876

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:59