Issue 461  April 30th 2025

Saving Pope-Leighey: How Marjorie Leighey Rescued Her Frank Lloyd Wright Home

Explore a new exhibit at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House in Alexandria, Virginia!

When faced with the reality of losing her home due to urban expansion, Marjorie Leighey assumed a role she never thought would be necessary: preservationist. Her efforts and foresight to preserve her home for future generations help lay the groundwork for the passage of the Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the first national preservation policy.

Saving Pope-Leighey House: How Marjorie Leighey Rescued Her Frank Lloyd Wright Home celebrates the life and work of Marjorie Leighey, the last private owner of the Pope-Leighey House, the only Frank Lloyd Wright house open to the public in the Washington, D.C. area.

Located inside Woodlawn, free admission. This exhibit will run from May 1st to December 29th.

Click for more details: alxnow.com  

Frank Lloyd Wright's Corner Apartment At The Plaza Finds A Buyer

Frank Lloyd Wright’s former apartment at the Plaza Hotel has found a buyer. Listed for $18,900,000 in February, the 4,000-square-foot home entered contract on Tuesday, as first spotted by the New York Post. The architect lived in the corner residence at 1 Central Park South from 1954 to 1959 while he was working on the Guggenheim Museum.

According to the Post, Wright lived in the apartment for five years with his wife, Olgivanna Lloyd Wright, where they entertained Marilyn Monroe, Arthur Miller, and King Faisal II of Iraq.

The apartment, known as the Frank Lloyd Wright Suite, was listed for $26 million in 2016 after a huge price cut from $39.5 million.

The owners had purchased the home as a pied-a-terre for $13 million in 2009 and hired Louis Lisboa of VL Architects and interior designer Susanna Maggard to lead a renovation, as seen in a 2014 Architectural Digestfeature.

Open living and dining areas feature 13-foot ceilings, Venetian plaster walls, and polished wood and stone floors. A galley kitchen offers top-of-the-line appliances and the dining room has enough space for a “piano performance to accompany dinner".

Classic views of Central Park and Fifth Avenue are on display from nearly every room, including the stunning primary suite.

Plaza residents access hotel-style perks such as concierge, nanny, and butler service, 24-hour in-room dining, twice-daily housekeeping, and exclusive access to The Palm Court’s landscaped gardens, the Grand Ballroom, and the Terrace Room.

Click for more details: 6sqft.com  

James De Long-Designed Usonian For Sale

A stunning Usonian-style home designed by architect James De Long is for sale in Redlands, California. De Long, a Frank Lloyd Wright protégé and Taliesin fellow, a timeless mid-century architectural retreat, has come on the market. From an early age, James De Long was captivated by architecture, a passion sparked in his teens by the Millard House near his home in Eagle Rock. This iconic structure inspired his dream of training under Frank Lloyd Wright, whose groundbreaking designs and commitment to organic architecture profoundly influenced De Long. In July 1946, De Long's dedication paid off when he was accepted into Wright's Fellowship at Taliesin, where he fully embraced the principles and philosophies that would define his architectural legacy.

Lovingly maintained by the same family for over 60 years – The Melzer Residence sits in the serene rolling hills above the Redlands Country Club. Sited on nearly 1 acre of gently sloped terrain – the home seamlessly blends with the surrounding landscape. De Long's architectural expression is infused with Wrightian-inspired Usonian principles throughout. Human scale, proportion, natural light and curated views and vistas all converge to enhance the overall living experience. The property features four bedrooms and two bathrooms, offering a spacious layout that beautifully harmonizes with its lush natural surroundings. The open floor plan allows for easy flow throughout the main living areas, inviting you to take in the stunning views from every angle. The living room features a floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace, custom cabinetry, floating shelves and wraparound wood detailing. The formal dining area offers panoramic views through mitered glass windows and the galley-style kitchen boasts a built-in banquette and original cabinetry. 

The home reflects the extraordinary craftsmanship of James De Long. Thoughtful details are evident throughout, showcasing a harmonious blend of artistry and function. Warm wood tones, custom cabinetry and built-in seating create a seamless integration of utility and design. Each room offers curated vistas of the rolling hills and garden areas, framing nature as an integral part of the living experience. The residence embraces the indoor/outdoor lifestyle with an expansive North-facing deck just off the dining area. Separate outdoor seating areas are thoughtfully arranged throughout the property. An additional deck on the South side of the home provides an inviting gathering space and leads to a generous flat yard perfect for a future pool addition. The Melzer Residence presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of James De Long's architectural legacy.

Click for more details: 1915countryclub.com  

A Meditative Tour of Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright's Architectural Masterpiece

Fallingwater, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most iconic designs, started as a private weekend home and later became the first modernist residence to open to the public as a museum in 1964 as explained by Fallingwater's Director Justin Gunther in an video from the Open Space series (click the link below to watch).

Built for the Kaufmann family on their land in southern Pennsylvania, the house spans a waterfall and reflects Wright’s philosophy of blending architecture with nature. Its transition into a public site was largely thanks to Edgar Kaufmann Jr., who was inspired by Wright’s work and played a key role in preserving and sharing it with future generations.

Click for more details: openculture.com