A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

Indiana Landmarks, in partnership with the Indiana Dunes National Park, invites interested parties to submit proposals for long-term lease and restoration of the House of Tomorrow, located in Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, near Beverly Shores, Indiana.

The House of Tomorrow is one of five “Century of Progress” exhibit homes transported to Indiana after the 1933-34 World’s Fair in Chicago. Designed by architect George Fred Keck and widely regarded as one of the most innovative houses in modern architectural design, the House of Tomorrow was among the first residential buildings to employ a glass curtain-wall structure, predating both Mies van der Rohe’s renowned Farnsworth House and Philip Johnson’s Glass House by many years.

The House of Tomorrow at the 1933-34 World’s Fair in Chicago. (Wisconsin Historical Society)

To facilitate preservation of the Century of Progress houses, in the early 2000s Indiana Landmarks leased the homes from the National Park Service, then subleased the properties to people who restored them in exchange for long-term lease.

Four of the five homes have been restored under the arrangement. The House of Tomorrow’s innovative architecture and degree of deterioration presents greater challenges; it needs $2.5 to $3 million in rehabilitation.

Design Team

To prepare the House of Tomorrow for timely restoration, Indiana Landmarks collaborated with the National Trust to retain a respected team of architects and engineers. The design team has developed plans—approved by the National Park Service—to return the best of the 1933 Keck design while incorporating modern technology and conveniences to make the home livable in the next century.

The design team that prepared the plans includes:

• bKL Architecture: Lead firm, focusing on a new window wall system and replication of 1933 cladding and details, led by Charles R. Hasbrouck, FAIA
• Bauer Latoza Studio: Providing historic preservation consulting services, led by Edward Torrez, RA, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
• Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc: Providing structural engineering services, led by Senior Associate Michael Ford
• WSP Engineering: Supplying mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services, led by Thomas Willoughby
• HJKessler Associates: Providing sustainability consulting services, led by Helen Kessler, FAIA, LEED

Cost and funding

The project is expected to cost $2.5 to $3 million dollars. No grants, tax credits, or income tax deductions are available for the project, and mortgages may not be recorded on the property. Applicants will be required to prove financial ability to undertake and complete project.

Submitting a proposal

Considering making a proposal? You may want to review this list of Frequently Asked Questions first.

If you’d like to submit a proposal, send a letter briefly outlining your interest and qualifications for undertaking rehabilitation of the House of Tomorrow to north@indianalandmarks.org.