“The Bach and Lang homes, located at 7415 and 7421 N. Sheridan Rd. respectively, have been gifted to Loyola University Chicago by TAWANI Property Management, headed by billionaire Jennifer N. Pritzker, the founder of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library and a cousin of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
“TAWANI most recently rented out the Bach for overnight stays and as a vacation home for rent, and operated the Lang as a bed-and-breakfast.
“‘Recognizing their significance to the neighborhood, Loyola is committed to maintaining the homes’ historical and community value,’ the Loyola spokesperson said.
“Pritzker originally considered selling the homes, said TAWANI’s Chief Operating Officer of Philanthropic Activities Susan Rifkin. ‘These two homes carry treasured histories and are best kept in the hands of a large academic institution with the capacity to maintain them, rather than offer them on the open real estate market,’ Rifkin said.
“Built in 1915 for brick company owner Emil Bach, the Bach home has all the visual hallmarks of Wright’s Prairie designs, with its flat overhanging roofs, cube-like forms and cantilevered elements. The Lang house is a brick American four-square with broad hip roofs, Arts & Crafts detailing and a prominent front porch with stone balustrades. The home was designed by Edgar Newman, an architect who cut his teeth working for Adler and Sullivan.
“TAWANI bought the Bach house in 2010 and purchased the Lang residence five years earlier and painstakingly restored them both. At the Bach, TAWANI even remade art glass windows that had been lost, and recrafted specialized furniture Wright made for the house.
“Rifkin said the gift to Loyola included $1 million in cash that can be used to cover the cost of operating and managing the two houses.
“And while the two homes are not endangered, as is the case with, say, the Bach’s Wright-designed older sibling, the Walser House in the Austin community, it’s still good to see the important residences being positioned for continued use.” (Lee Bey, Chicago Sun-Times, 2/1/25)
Read the full story at Chicago Sun-Times
- Frank Lloyd Wright house is one of two homes given to Loyola by Pritzker family member; The Bach and Lang houses aren’t endangered, but it is good to see the important residences being positioned for continued use. Jennifer Pritzker, cousin of Gov. JB Pritzker, made the donation, Lee Bey, Chicago Sun-Times, 2/1/25
- Historical Rogers Park Homes, Including 1 By Frank Lloyd Wright, Donated To Loyola By Pritzkers; Jennifer Pritzker’s company TAWANI Enterprises donated the Emil Bach House and Lang House to the university for use as student and community event spaces, Charles Thrush, Block Club Chicago, 2/2/25
- Jennifer Pritzker gives historic homes to Loyola University; Also gave $1 million for upkeep of Rogers Park buildings, TRD Staff, The Real Deal, 2/3/25
- Emil Bach House, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation