Coonley Coach House
Posted by: 
KxRt66
N 41° 49.238 W 087° 49.679
16T E 431235 N 4630192
This amalgamation of outbuildings of the once expansive Coonley Estate was converted into a private residence in the 1950s. Only a short sidetrip off Route 66...
Waymark Code: WM2DT3
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 10/17/2007
Views: 120
Frank Lloyd Wright’s stable design consisted of three separate units with overlapping roofs; a central main unit with a horse stable carriage garage, tack room, and hay loft, a west unit with a Coachman’s apartment and workshop, and an east unit near Coonley Road with a chicken coop, cow barn, storage and garden shed. The Stable was completed in 1911 and was significantly altered from Wright’s design by the Coonleys. The east unit was altered to contain a two car garage and a central steam boiler plant for the estate. The chicken coop was eliminated. The carriage garage in the main unit was enlarged and the three units were connected.
When Arnold Skow bought the Estate in 1952, the Stable was a dilapidated five car garage and storage space for the estate. Skow’s plan to demolish the entire estate was approved and underway when Carolyn and James Howlett convinced Skow to save the complex by subdividing it into four residences. A key element was their agreement to buy the Stable and have Skow adaptively renovate it for their residence.
In 2005 Carolyn Howlett had lived in the house for 54 years and required live-in assistance from the Public Guardian’s Office. When it became known that inappropriate roof repairs were being pursued, and the restorers of the main portion of the Coonley House were approached. They were interested in acquiring and restoring the Coach House and an agreement was worked out whereby Carolyn Howlett was granted a life estate. She was able to live there until the end of her life.
This transaction has allowed the two largest parcels of the original estate to be rejoined under one owner. The renovation of the Coach House began in the spring of 2006. This adaptive renovation using architecturally appropriate materials is nearly complete.
Year Completed: 1911
Commissioned By: Avery and Queene Coonley
Nearest City or Town: Riverside, IL
Public/Private: Private
Tours Available?: Not Listed
Website: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
There are no specific visit requirements, however telling about your visit is strongly encouraged. Additional photos of the building or house to add to the gallery are also nice, but not required. Pictures with a GPS or you in them is highly discouraged.