Issue 483 September 24th 2025

The Headlines

How The Ennis House By Frank Lloyd Wright Became A Hollywood Star

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House, a 6,000-square-foot residence in Los Feliz, California, unexpectedly became a Hollywood icon, appearing in over 80 films, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Day of the Locust, and Blade Runner. Wright, unaware of its future cinematic fame, designed the house in the mid-1910s during a period of personal upheaval. After a tragic event at his Wisconsin estate, he moved to California to rebuild his life and experiment with new architectural styles. The Ennis House, commissioned by Charles and Mabel Ennis, was Wright’s largest and final “textile block” house, using innovative interlocked concrete blocks, and drew from Aztec and Mayan architectural influences.

The home’s distinctive design, with its modern yet ancient appearance, made it perfect for a variety of film settings, adapting seamlessly to roles from a modern mansion to a European castle. Its location, grand scale, and exotic look contributed to its lasting appeal in Hollywood. Though initially built as a private residence, the house’s cinematic legacy grew unexpectedly, beginning with its use in House on Haunted Hill (1959), where its age was exaggerated despite being only 35 years old at the time.

After changing hands several times, the house was sold to new owners tied to the cannabis industry in the 2020s. Throughout its history, the Ennis House has remained a symbol of architectural innovation and a beloved film location.

Frank Lloyd Wright Home Tour

Join in for an unforgettable tour on October 11, 2025 @ 10:00 AM of a historic architectural gem in Flossmoor, Illinois! Frank Lloyd Wright designed the Frederick D. Nichols house in 1906. It was recently lovingly restored and the homeowner is inviting the public to view it at this once in a lifetime event.

Tickets may be obtained online or at the door for a $30/person donation to the Foundation for the Preservation of Flossmoor History. Donations are tax-deductible and will help create a multi-fauceted home for the foundation that serves as permanent exhibit space to highlight notable Flossmoor residents and the work of famous mid-century architects. It will also be a gathering space for art shows, music performances and classes that reflect community interests.

Historic Anderson/Arbury Farm Hits Market For First Time At $1.6M

A historic 65.4-acre property in Midland County, Michigan, known as the Anderson/Arbury Farm, is now on the market for the first time, priced at $1.6 million. The property includes farmland, wooded riverfront, and a Mid-Century Modern home designed by renowned architect Alden B. Dow.

In 1935, Dow made significant alterations to the original farmhouse, transforming its primitive basement into a functional living space with a kitchen, dining room, bedroom, and bathroom. He also added a screen porch, which he described as "a grand place to eat in the summertime." His sister, Dorothy Dow Arbury, fondly referred to the home as "one of the cutest jobs he ever did."

The 1,782-square-foot home features three bedrooms, three full bathrooms, and large windows offering views of the Chippewa River. The property also includes a 25x19-foot pool house, several outbuildings (including two heated barns), and land currently leased for soybean farming. The estate is seen as a unique blend of heritage and opportunity, with potential for agricultural use, a family retreat, or even a community venue.

Walk-In Tours Available For Historic Charnley-Norwood House

The Charnley-Norwood House in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, designed by Louis Sullivan in 1890 with Frank Lloyd Wright as a young collaborator, is now open for walk-in tours. Previously, tours could only be scheduled by phone. The house, which is a key example of early American architecture, is famous for its influence on Wright’s career.

The house was originally built as a winter retreat for Sullivan and the Charnley family and was later sold to the Norwoods. A fire in 1897 caused significant damage, but it was quickly rebuilt with improvements, and the home was renamed "Bon Silene," reflecting the surrounding salt marsh. Over the years, the house endured further damage, including destruction during Hurricane Katrina, but thanks to efforts from the state and the Department of Archives and History, it was preserved.

Managed by the Gulf Coast National Heritage Area, the house is open to visitors during weekdays, with staff available to give tours. For a guided tour, visitors are advised to call ahead. The home is not only a historic architectural site but also a testament to the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright, who claimed authorship of the design later in life.

Chandler Museum's New Exhibit Celebrates Desert-Inspired Organic

If you thought the desert was just a sprawling canvas of dust and cacti, the Chandler Museum's new exhibit in Chadler, Arizona — is poised to challenge that notion. The collaboration with the Organic Architecture + Design Archives (OA+D) has birthed "Sonoran Shapes + Structures: Desert-Inspired Architecture and Design," a showcase of how organic architects and designers have historically channeled the local landscape into their creative works. According to the museum's announcement, the exhibit features visionaries like Frank Lloyd Wright and Paolo Soleri, who saw the Sonoran Desert not as a barrier, but as an inspiration.

The exhibition traces the evolution of organic architecture, an idea where structures are to seamlessly integrate with their environment. This ideal, championed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the early 20th century, has inspired architects to fully consider and to respond to the nuances of land, light, and the indigenous materials at their disposal. The Chandler Museum, in partnership with OA+D, takes visitors on a journey through the history and interpretation of this design philosophy as it applies specifically to the Sonoran Desert.

"Sonoran Shapes + Structures" is not just a historical retrospective; it's an exploration of how these early architectural innovations continue to influence modern design. The collaboration with OA+D—marking their second joint exhibition—deliberately peels back layers on the basics of organic design, showcasing works that exemplify its core principles while looking forward to its future implications on everyday spaces.

The exhibit opened its doors yesterday, September 20 and will continue to welcome visitors until February 1, 2026. Interested attendees can visit the Chandler Museum, located at 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The museum notably remains closed on Mondays, but for those looking to indulge in architectural splendor without the splurge, admission is free of charge. More details about the exhibit and its programming are available on the Chandler Museum website or by calling the museum at 480-782-2717.

About

This weekly Wright Society update is brought to you by Eric O'Malley with Bryan and Lisa Kelly. 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.