Issue 159 July 24th 2019

The Headlines

Wright's Baker House Hits The Market In Wilmette, Illinois

A Frank Lloyd Wright design built in 1909 in Wilmette, IL, and owned for the past six decades by another prolific architect and his family is now for sale. The asking price for the roughly 4,800-square-foot, five-bedroom house on Lake Avenue is just under $900,000.

The house "needs a lot of work," said Jan Kerr, one of two @properties agents representing the house for a trust for the family of the late owner, Walter Sobel. "The price reflects that." Kyle Payne, also with @properties, is representing the house with Kerr.

The centerpiece of the house is a two-story living room wrapped on three sides with windows decorated in a diamond pattern. The room's ceiling is vaulted above free-floating beams that create a layered effect overhead, and at one end of the room is a fireplace beneath a second-story overlook that resembles a choir loft. See the photos here.

Dana-Thomas House Foundation Fundraiser

The Dana-Thomas House Foundation will be hosting a special fundraiser on Wed, July 31, from 5:30-7:30pm. Called "The Wright Bourbon, Brisket and Blues" fundraiser, it will showcase an evening of sipping bourbon, enjoying a good meal, and listening to some smooth sounds. Springfield Carriage Co. will provide the brisket, and bourbon aficionado Roger Huebner, among others, will donate bourbon, including some high-end selections. Bourbon experts will also be on hand to discuss the finer points of the liquor. Advance tickets are $55 and additional tastings will be available for purchase at the event. Wine and beer will also be available. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Dana-Thomas House Foundation’s neighborhood improvement efforts, which will be highlighted at the event. More information here.

Explore A Rescued Frank Lloyd Wright Masterpiece

Atlas Obscura has provided a short glimpse into the restored Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Martin House Complex. This architectural pilgrimage site was once nearly lost to disrepair, but lives-on today. Wright’s signature Prairie School stylings characterize the Complex, located in Buffalo, New York.

In the early 1900s, wealthy businessman Darwin D. Martin commissioned the residence comprised of six interconnected buildings. Following Martin’s death in 1935, his family abandoned the property, leaving the complex to deteriorate. A massive restoration effort was launched in the late 1990s and the property, which serves as a destination for many of the famed architect’s enthusiasts, is now open to the public as a historic site and museum. See the video here.

Imagining The Future Through Frank Lloyd Wright's Work

The 50th anniversary of the moon landing reminds us to look toward the future and whatever fantastic worlds await us. But we must also look to the visionaries, like Frank Lloyd Wright, who imagined those futures long before we did. The Whirling Arrow has reprinted an article by Tierney Hamilton focusing on Frank Lloyd Wright’s futuristic ideas that were often ahead of their time, and in turn served as inspiration for many creators of futuristic, science-fiction films. The influence that Wright had, which can be seen in popular films including Gattaca, Star Wars, and more, is a testament to the visionary he was. Read the entire article here.

The Man Who Rescued A Frank Lloyd Wright Gem

With the recent announcement of the eight Frank Lloyd Wright buildings inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, Madison Magazine highlights the work undertaken by owner James M. Dennis, a University of Wisconsin–Madison emeritus art history professor, to save and restore one of them: The First Herbert and Kathryn Jacobs House. Read more about it here.

DeLevie's Hurwitz House For Sale

George Hall sends word that The Max & Arlyne Hurwitz House, a mid-century modern architectural gem built in 1966 by architect Herb DeLevie, has come to the market in Madison, WI for $575,000. The home features 15 foot double entry doors with medieval pulls imported from Spain, a natural stone fireplace, dining area looking through 18 ft cathedral windows, loft like master bedroom with private sunroom, and more. Read and see more here.

Mid Century Architect Allyn E. Morris Finally Get His Due With Silver Lake Landmark

California's list of historic monuments includes the mid century and modernist works in Silver Lake by such well known architects as Richard Neutra and Rudolph Schindler. Now, you can add to that list a Silver Lake apartment building designed by Allyn E. Morris. Morris who?

While not as well known as some of L.A. legendary architects , Morris, who lived in Silver Lake, left his mid-century mark on numerous homes and apartments in Echo Park, Highland Park, Glassell Park, and Silver Lake.

His work includes the nine-unit Roberts Apartments at Griffith Park Boulevard and Landa Street in Silver Lake. The apartments, which step up a hillside, were built in 1965. Earlier this month, the City Council, following in the footsteps of the Cultural Heritage Commission, voted in favor of declaring The Roberts Apartments a city historic cultural monument. It's the first Morris-designed building to receive such a designation, said Agnes Sibal-von Debschitz, spokeswoman for the Department of Planning.

The building has been described “as an excellent example of a Mid-Century Modern multi-family apartment building," according to its historic landmark nomination. The monument application cited the building’s cubic window patterns, the use of materials and the simplified exterior as some of the property’s prominent architectural features.

Morris was inspired by the much better known modernist architect, Rudolph Schindler. Before starting his own firm, Morris worked for Lloyd Wright, Risley and Gould, and Daniel, Mann, Johnson, and Mendenhall. He was eventually recognized by the Los Angeles architecture community “for his sculptural, cubic aesthetic, and cost-effective designs,” according to the monument application. See the photos here.

Announcing 2019 Wright Spirit Award Honorees

The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy has announced the 2019 Wright Spirit Award honorees. The Wright Spirit Awards were established in 1991 to honor individuals and organizations who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to preserving Wright’s legacy. The Conservancy’s Awards Committee selects the honorees from nominations received during an open nomination period.

This year’s awards will be presented Saturday, Oct. 5 at a gala dinner during the FLWBC conference in Los Angeles. Tickets ($175) are available by calling 312.663.5500.

“There are so many different people who make an impact in the Wright world, from private homeowners who spend great amounts of time and money restoring Wright houses, to those who help facilitate the rescue of buildings that might otherwise be lost, to government officials who prioritize historic preservation in their planning and budgeting,” says Barbara Gordon, executive director of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy. “There are always far more people and organizations who’ve made a difference than we can honor in a year. This year we celebrate several homeowners for past work, the husband-and-wife team who brought the Lindholm House back to life, the team behind the Wright World Heritage inscription and more.”

In addition to seven Wright Spirit Awards, longtime events volunteer Betsy Bray will receive the Conservancy Award, which is chosen by the executive director for outstanding service to the Conservancy staff. Congratulations to this year’s honorees! See the entire list here.

About

This weekly Wright Society update is brought to you by Eric O'Malley with Bryan and Lisa Kelly from PrairieMod. If you enjoy these free, curated updates—please forward our sign-up page and/or share on Social Media.

If you’d like to submit content to be featured here, please reach out by emailing us at mail[at]wrightsociety.com.