Austin Coming Together Acquires Historic Frank Lloyd Wright J.J. Walser House, Securing Future for West Side Landmark
Walser House after removal of overgrowth, December 2024, photo by John H. Waters, AIA
On June 11th, 2026, Austin Coming Together acquired the historic J.J. Walser House, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed residence located at 42 N. Central Avenue in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. The home was designed in 1903 for Joseph J. and Grace Walser, and is Wright’s only single-family residence on Chicago’s West Side. In 1970, the home was purchased by Anne Teague, and for nearly five decades benefited from the stewardship and care of her and her husband until her unfortunate passing in 2019.
The acquisition marks a major preservation milestone for the West Side and places the landmark property in the hands of a community-based organization committed to responsible stewardship. For ACT and its partners, the acquisition is not only about preserving a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home. It is also about recognizing the Walser House as part of Austin’s history and future.
Acquisition is only the beginning, and first step in this process, now we must protect the home from further deterioration, while stabilizing the property. Once stabilization is underway, we will begin the next phase, working with residents and partners to envision a future that honors both the house and the community.
“ACT understands the potential waiting to be unlocked by revitalizing this landmark Frank Lloyd Wright design, celebrating Austin as a destination for notable architecture. The organization’s deep roots in the community mean they know the rich stories the house can tell about how it has changed over time, and what Austin residents envision for its future.” —Barbara Gordon, Executive Director of the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy
Austin Coming Together is a collective impact organization, and this acquisition aligns with ACT’s role as steward of the Austin Forward. Together quality-of-life Plan and Austin’s Central Avenue Action Plan; continuing our successes in stewarding assets for the community, including the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation. ACT sees the Walser House as a historic asset with the potential to anchor preservation, education, cultural pride, and community-serving development along one of the neighborhood’s key corridors. As the new owner’s, ACT will steward the endangered landmark with the community accountability, input, and long-term care that is required.
Acquisition of the Walser House has now been achieved, but as we enter the phase of stabilization, we can not do it alone. We need your help. Join us on this journey and support the community. DONATE TODAY!
Read the full press release for more information about this recent acquisition.
If you have any additional questions or comments, please reach out to us here: PR@austincomingtogether.org
Learn more about the journey to get to this moment from: Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, Landmarks Illinois, Preservation Chicago. ACT would like to extend a special thank you to them for all of their preservation work and support.
