Issue 149 May 15th 2019

The Headlines

Westeros Done Wright

Perhaps Sunday's Game of Thrones series finale will reveal that it's actually Frank Lloyd Wright ("First of his name, King of the Andals, protector of the Realm, etc.") who will occupy the Iron Throne! With all the Wright-inspired set design found in the HBO show over the years, it seems the architect's work definitely helped aesthetically inform Deborah Riley, production designer on the popular series. Read a excerpt of an interview with Riley at the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation's Whirling Arrow blog and be sure to become a member to catch the full article in the Spring 2019 issue of the Frank Lloyd Wright Quarterly. More here.

Cello Concert To Benefit Wright's Bradley House

On Sunday and Monday, May 19th and 20th, pioneering cello player, singer, and composer Mike Block will be in concert at the Bradley House in Kankakee. The events are benefits for the continuing campaign to retire the mortgage at the home, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1900 and completed in 1901. Get more details about the event here.

Modern Architectural Estate To Be Sold Via Absolute Auction June 11th

The Western Michigan Great Lakes Estate was inspired by works of Frank Lloyd Wright and is the final design of the late Architect Don Steenwyk. the approximately 40 acre architectural estate is to be sold via Absolute Auction on June 11th. Previews for the Interluxe.com coordinated Auction are scheduled for June 7th - 9th.

The estate was developed by the Ockerlund family and was previously listed for $5.65 million. It's set for no reserve auction by Interluxe, with bidding commencing on Tuesday, June 11th at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

The 4-bedroom, 7 bath home includes many design elements made famous by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, with liberal use of Wisconsin limestone and custom wood cabinetry. Each of the four bedrooms, with generous built-ins, has its own full bath and walk-in closet, while the master suite has two walk-in closets, a fireplace and glass-walled sitting area featuring a mitered corner. The home was built with consideration of LEED® Standards and environmental impact including geo-thermal heating and cooling, among other amenities. More information here.

Alden Dow Office Museum To Be Repaired

The Lake Jackson, Texas City Council initiated long-awaited repairs to the Alden B. Dow Office Museum by approving funding for the work. The city will spend about $112,000 of Community Block Development Grant funds to repair the historical museum, which is operated by the Lake Jackson Historical Association.

The 1943 office is where Alden B. Dow designed the city of Lake Jackson’s buildings and winding streets. One of the first buildings constructed in the city, it housed many of Lake Jackson’s firsts; including the post office, city hall, barber shop, and much more. More here.

Another Look At The Newly Installed Lindholm House

The news outlets online are all abuzz about Wright's Lindholm House (aka "Mäntylä") finally finding refuge and opening its doors for tours in its new setting at Pennsylvania's Polymath Park. The house was donated by owners Peter and Julene McKinney to the Usonian Preservation Inc., a nonprofit group associated with Polymath Park that strives to preserve the home. Peter's grandparents, Ray and Emmy Lindholm, had the house commissioned and built as a retirement home.

The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home was originally built in Cloquet, Minnesota in the 1950s. The Lindholm House, listed for sale on and off again for 10 years, then sat empty for more than two of those years. It had many issues and was continuing to deteriorate over time. The original in-floor heating system had quit working, among other problems. After being donated, it was disassembled and moved in 2016. The move included the house's furniture, custom-designed by Wright.

Mäntylä is now open for daily tours and overnight accommodations. Get more info ad see some great photos here.

Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation To Celebrate Wright's Birthday With Discovery Day At Taliesin West

In celebration of Frank Lloyd Wright’s 152nd birthday on Saturday, June 8, 2019, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation is inviting the community to enjoy a day of exploring at "Discovery Day," an all-ages open house event at Taliesin West. During the first-ever Discovery Day, you’ll have a chance to learn more about the work the Foundation is doing to preserve Wright’s legacy, as well as enjoy live entertainment and pop-up shops from local makers. As you make your way through Wright’s winter home desert laboratory, you’ll stop at different stations throughout the campus to participate in a variety of activities and demonstrations from Foundation staff members. Admission for Discovery Day is free, but an advance reservation is required to guarantee entry! More here.

Wright's Thaxton House On The Market For $2.85M

The only Frank Lloyd Wright designed home in Houston is available for $2.85 million. The William Thaxton House was once a modest 1,800-square-foot home, but now has five bedrooms and 6.5 baths, thanks to an (unfortunate, IMHO) 6,300-square-foot addition. Luckily, the home does retain original features such as the redwood and mahogany woods, polished concrete floors, concrete blocks, and plate glass. The newer spaces include an enclosed patio, central courtyard, and expanded family room. Maybe someone with a preservation spirit can return the home to its original Wright design. See more here.

Wright Plus Is (Finally) This Weekend!

We thought spring would never come to Chicago, but not that the weather has (started) warming, the flowers are blooming, and Wright Plus is this weekend, that can only mean that spring is finally here! We're really excited to see the houses on this year's walk—many returning favorites and a few never-before seen. Check out the details and, for goodness sake, get your tickets before they sell out! More here.

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