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Edward H. Bennett (1874-1954) was co-author, with Daniel Burnham, of the 1905 Plan for San Francisco and the 1909 Plan of Chicago. He was extensively engaged in the implementation of the Chicago plan for over 20 years, designing bridges, parks and road improvements. Although Bennett was educated as an architect, he designed few buildings. His consulting practice ranged from the preparation of comprehensive plans for major cities (Minneapolis, Brooklyn, Portland, Ottawa) to the design of civic centres (Denver, Detroit, Pasadena), building ensembles (Washington's Federal Triangle) open spaces, infrastructure and memorials. Bennett was therefore one of the first American urban designers, although the term was not in general use at the time. Bennett's papers and drawings are held by the Art Institute of Chicago and are a significant opportunity for research into the practice of a pioneer urban design and planning consultant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the willingness of homebuyers to pay for co-location with iconic architecture. Oak Park, Illinois, was chosen as the study area given its unique claim of having 24 residential structures designed by world-famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, in addition to dozens of other designated landmarks and three preservation districts. This study adds to the limited body of existing literature on the external price effects of architectural design and is unique in its focus on residential architecture. We find a premium of about 8.5 per cent within 50–100 m of the nearest Wright building and about 5 per cent within 0–50 m. These results indicate that an external premium to iconic architecture does exist, although it may partially be attributable to the prominence of the architect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]