Located on the historically important South Prairie Avenue, the Rees house was built for the widow of a real estate developer.

Residential development on the Near South Side of Chicago began in the 1850s in response to newly constructed rail lines.

Prairie Avenue became one of the most desirable areas to live in the city, hosting millionaires such as Marshall Field and George Pullman.

Harriet Frances (Butler) Rees, a native of Connecticut, was the widow of real estate developer James H.

[2] James H. Rees became the city surveyor in 1836, then worked as a clerk and draftsman for former Mayor of Chicago William B. Ogden starting in 1839.

Rees commissioned Cobb and Frost, one of the leading residential architecture firms in the city, to design a house.

[2] The three-story house was originally constructed between two other buildings; thus, it only has significant architectural details on its 25-foot (7.6 m) front (eastern) elevation.

To the front, the roof is steeply pitched in a cross formation, is capped with a stone finial, and features a decorative panel in its triangular gable.

The facade features a two-story, bowed front bay topped by an ornamental copper roof.

[3] The house was threatened by the development of a new McCormick Place entertainment complex, which will include a basketball stadium for DePaul University and a 1,200-room Marriott Hotel.