American Four-Square

This post-Victorian style of single-family house, prized for its ease of construction, practicality, and roomy interior, is found throughout Chicago. The largest concentrations are in community areas developed during the style's heyday (1900-1930), such as Beverly, Norwood Park, Rogers Park, and South Shore.

Common characteristics are:

  • cubic shape
  • hipped roof, usually with dormers
  • broad front porch, sometimes enclosed
  • little use of ornament
  • built in wide variety of materials, including wood, brick, and stucco