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All-Too-Real Estate Crisis: Saving a Frank Lloyd Wright House from Demolition

By Ray Hu - October 5, 2012

in Architecture

Photos via Save the Wright House unless otherwise noted.

The architecture and design community exhaled a collective sigh of relief earlier this week as an exceptional private residence narrowly escaped oblivion at the hands of a ruthless real estate developer—for the time being. The demolition of the house, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for his son David, was pushed back a month at the eleventh hour by the City of Phoenix, which hopes to rectify a complex legal situation in a state known for its aggressive real estate development policies. This much is clear from critic Michael Kimmelman's clarion call to save the house in the Paper of Record.

So too is Kimmelman's description of the house—which is distinguished by its spiral shape, like a certain concurrently-designed landmark on Manhattan's Museum Mile—rather more vivid than the video tour (after the jump). Indeed, the home has never been open to the public despite its proximity to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, headquartered about a dozen miles away at Taliesin West.

I'll defer to architectural historian and Harvard professor Neil Levine for a summary of the significance of the David Wright House:One of Frank Lloyd Wright's most innovative, unusual and personal works of architecture. Built in 1950–52, it is the only residence by the world-famous architect that is based on the circular spiral plan of the Guggenheim Museum in New York, whose construction followed it by six years. When the house was first published in 1953, it was stated that no other Wright house since Fallingwater was as praiseworthy and remarkable. Since then its reputation has only increased and several architectural historians and architecture critics consider it to be among the 20 most significant Wright buildings. The spatial design, the processional movement through the patio and along the spiral ramp, the custom-designed concrete-block detailing, and the total interior design all give this house a spectacular expression especially appropriate to the desert environment.

Credit: The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Archives (The Museum of Modern Art | Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library, Columbia University, New York); via NYTimes.com

Architects and admirers alike rallied to defend the house following the publication of Kimmelman's article on Monday, but the story actually dates back to this summer, when 8081 Meridian acquired the 2.2-acre lot from a buyer who had promised the family that he would restore the historic home only to sell it this June. (David's wife Gladys outlived her spouse by a decade, leaving the house to their granddaughters when she passed away, at 104, in 2008.) The developer reportedly purchased the house for $1.8 million and are asking for $2.2m as they've turned down a recent offer of over $2 million for the David Wright House. This figure is only expected to rise over the course of the next month as the threat of impending destruction approaches once more.

While the video is probably the closest that most of us will come to seeing the house in person, we certainly hope that it endures as a testament to the value of design in the face of unchecked greed. Sign the petition today—October 9 and November 7 are the next milestones towards attaining Landmark designation.

Via Hyperallergic; additional hat-tip to Prattle and Jaw

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Elli Davis

12 years ago

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It's hard to believe that something so barbaric like demolition of this house could take place in civilized society.
I have already toured many houses and buildings designed by FL Wright, most recently the charming Kentuck Knob located a short drive from his Falling Water and, judging from the pictures and the video, this unique desert dwelling is definitely one of his most original structures.
It's a pity that the house has never been opened for the public and now that opportunity is slipping even further away. I certainly hope that the City of Phoenix, architect community and concerned citizens are able to save this treasure.

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Lexy

12 years ago

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It is a travesty that any remaining FL Wright building be demolished or altered. The world should be able to view this remarkable architect's vision and creativity.

I find it amazing that the City of Phoenix has not brokered a solution that can see the David Wright house remain.
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Nadine Lockhart

12 years ago

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If you go to the developers' website (8081 Meridian) and look at their new post under "David Wright House" as of today, 5 October, there is something ominous about its content. It does not bring the same hope for cooperation as did their post on 3 October. Something is afoot, and it's a fishy foot. Maybe I'm reading the post incorrectly, but it sounds like they're no longer considering buyer offers. Would be pleased if someone could post or email me that this is not the case. Only Satan himself would destroy such an object of beauty as is this house, and then to create such resultant sadness worldwide is surely a massive sin; only the Devil would think to hold the house hostage as the world holds its breath. This is beyond conscience. No Spirit of the Law was meant to protect these developers' actions and interests as such.
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Dominique

12 years ago

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This world does not deserve such beauty and perfection, better it is destroyed.
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