Between the 1910s and 1930s, second-generation Americans in Chicago began moving from crowded older neighborhoods to newly available areas. The bungalow emerged as an ideal housing solution during this period. Following the Great Fire, Chicago’s building codes required the use of brick, coinciding with the city’s status as a major brick producer. This alignment of regulations and resources led to the construction of many cost-effective, brick-built bungalows.
According to The Chicago Bungalow by the Chicago Architecture Foundation, “The housing boom of the 1920s altered construction practices throughout the United States by creating a tremendous demand for common houses with modern conveniences.” The bungalow epitomized the middle-class home in Chicago. These houses were characterized by their solidity, compactness, and ability to fit on narrow lots.
Chicago is home to over 80,000 bungalows, accounting for one-third of the city’s single-family homes. Many are located in the Bungalow Belt, which stretches from the Northwest to the Southwest Side. Even though bungalows lost some popularity after World War II, with preferences shifting to ranch and split-level homes, Chicago’s bungalows have remained a durable housing choice for a century.
Today, bungalows continue to attract immigrants, their descendants, and young families seeking affordable and reliable housing options.
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