Bradley House Stable
Kankakee
Sixty miles south of Chicago, along the Kankakee River, stands one of the only surviving horse stables designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Over the years, as a result of multiple owners and a later restaurant conversion, the original stable interior was completely altered and the attached open-air breezeway was enclosed. In addition to these changes, the stable had sat vacant for 20 years. Severe water damage and structural problems prompted a previous owner to apply for a demolition permit, which was denied by the Kankakee Preservation Commission. In danger of demolition by neglect, this locally designated landmark was rescued by new owners who, in 2004, undertook a full restoration. The structure was stabilized, two walls were rebuilt, and the interior was returned to Wright’s original design. Work was completed in November 2005 and the building has been adapted into a retail gift shop.