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The only surviving building in Chicago by Van Bergen, this house was designed for Allan Miller, an executive in the advertising industry, and his wife.
Allan Miller (1181 - 1984) and his wife Helen Reeves Miller (1184 - 1973) were both born in Aurora, Illinois. They met and were married in Chicago. The Millers had two daughters, Marian and Ruth Ruggles who grew up in the house. The family moved away in 1923, after Mr. Miller died in a hunting accident.
The lot for this house was chosen by Mrs. Miller because she liked the large golden willow tree at the back of the property. The house was one of the first in this south side Chicago neighborhood, just south of Jackson Park and 71st street.
Van Bergen's first scheme for the house included a "moat" around the fireplace like Frank Lloyd Wright's Dana and Barnsdall houses. This idea was rejected by the Millers.
The structure has a series of flat roofs and has leaded glass windows which are very similar to those of the Munyer apartment building in Oak Park. This large house is unique in plan. The house still has unpainted, buff colored stucco.
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