Issue 92 April 11th 2018

The Headlines

Sullivan Center Office Building Sells For $176M

The Sullivan Center, an iconic Chicago Loop office building (Designed by Adler & Louis Sullivan and built in 1899 as the Schlesinger & Mayer Department Store, then known as the Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co. Store) has sold for $176M to the New York-based 601W Companies. The building offers creative office space featuring lofted ceilings and floor plates ranging from more than 100,000 square feet on the lower levels to between 22,000 and 79,000 square feet on the upper levels.

Between 2001 and 2012, Sullivan Center underwent more than $200 million in renovations designed to modernize its mechanical systems and restore historical features. "This asset received significant investor interest because of its excellent location, strong tenant base and the fact that it is one of the few larger floor plate buildings catering to the progressive tenants driving demand in this market,” said Miller. “At nearly full occupancy, it is clearly the type of property that tenants covet.” Read more.

See the Film: An American Home

Throughout April, the documentary film highlighting Frank Lloyd Wright’s B. Harley Bradley House will be shown on PBS stations across the United States including broadcasts in Milwaukee on April 15th, Cleveland on April 24th, and Chicago on April 27th. A complete list of air dates is available at www.anamericanhomefilm.com/see-the- film.

In addition to broadcasts, the film recently screened in March at SC Johnson’s Golden Rondelle Theater in Racine, WI, The Tinley Park Public Library in Tinley Park, IL, and at the Cabaret Theater at Taliesin West in Scottsdale, AZ. DVDs and Blu-Rays of the film are available through Lakeshore PBS www.lakeshorepublicmedia.org. Read more.

On Wright's Florida Campus

David and Kay Scott, authors of “The Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges”, recently took a tour of Florida Southern College to become better acquainted with Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture for which the college is well-known.

Florida Southern moved to Lakeland, Florida in 1922. After an enrollment decline during the 1930s, college president, Dr. Ludd Spivey, considered expanding the campus with “dramatic architecture” that would attract students. Never having met Wright, Spivey sent the architect a telegram asking for a meeting “concerning plans for a great educational temple in Florida.” When the two met in spring of 1938, Spivey explained he had no money but would work diligently to raise the funds. Wright suggested using student labor.

Wright drew a master plan for the campus with 18 buildings, making it one of his largest projects which would continue for 20 years. Read more from the tour here.

Tirranna Sold

Michael Dinan of the New Canaanite reports that a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed masterpiece—“Tirranna,” built in 1955 for John Rayward (it’s also known as the Rayward-Shepherd House) sold on March 30 for $4.8 million, according to a property transfer in the New Canaan, Connecticut Town Clerk’s office.

The 7-bedroom home sits above a waterfall. "Tirranna" is an Australian Aboriginal word that means “running waters." See photos here.

Pilgrim Baptist Church in Chicago to Become Gospel Museum

The site of the historic Pilgrim Baptist Church is slated to be rebuilt as the National Museum of Gospel Music after more than 12 years in limbo. The original building was designed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler and dates to 1891 when it was constructed as a synagogue. Pilgrim Baptist Church moved into the building in 1922. The building is significant for its role in African-American musical and religious history—it was the birthplace of gospel music.

While undergoing a $500,000 renovation, fire destroyed Pilgrim Baptist on Jan. 5, 2006, gutting the building and leaving only its façade and side walls standing with the support of braces. After previous attempts to rebuild the church failed, Don Jackson, CEO of Central City Productions and founder of the Stiller Gospel Music Awards, is leading an effort to turn the site into a museum, with opening slated for fall 2020. Read more.

Rosenbaum Home Featured on Bicentennial PastPort

The Rosenbaum House in Florence, Alabama was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1938 for Stanley and Mildred Rosenbaum. It was built for $12,000, and was occupied by the Rosenbaum family from 1940-1999 before it was donated to the city of Florence and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Now, Wright’s noted creation is part of the Alabama Bicentennial project as a way to highlight and be a guide to historic destinations throughout the state. There were 14 northwest Alabama attractions on the Bicentennial PastPort. Read more.

The Common Pattern: A Concert Series Benefiting The School of Architecture at Taliesin

April 15-October 21, 2018, The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy is partnering with The School of Architecture at Taliesin on its signature house concert series for 2018. Six Chicago-area concerts from April through October feature acclaimed artists like the chamber music group Orion Ensemble and the Avanti Guitar Trio performing in Wright-designed houses including the Glore House and Gridley House (both featured on our 2017 Chicago suburbs tour) and the early-career Winslow House and Glasner House. Tickets are strictly limited for each event and are available through the School.

The School of Architecture at Taliesin is an accredited three-year Master of Architecture program that continues the Fellowship program founded by Wright in 1932. All concert proceeds will be directed to the School for merit- and need-based student scholarships. Read more.

Frank Lloyd Wright-Inspired Tattoos

Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation's The Whirling Arrow blog shows us that Frank Lloyd Wright fans wear their passion for his work on their sleeves, er...arms. Having asked social media patrons to share their Wright-inspired tattoos, in their responses, we can see a number of ways in which they interpreted their inspirations for Wright. View here.

Sculpture Workshop: Organic Architecture for Insects

Under the list of Artistic Programs being held at Taliesin this summer is a Sculpture Workshop: Organic Architecture for Insects with Kathryn E. Martin-Meurer, August 4-5, 2018, Saturday and Sunday, 9 am - 4pm, for Adults (Ages 16+).

"This two-day adult workshop integrates art making and conservation, and how we might serve our creepy crawly “clients” — BUGS. Participants will learn about the vital role insects play in our world, why their population is declining, and the importance of rehabilitating their natural environments. With insects in mind, participants will conceptualize and build an abstract environment made from reclaimed objects, wood, and natural materials. While these sculptures won’t save our insects, they can serve as beautiful visuals that build awareness. All participants will explore the restored prairies and pollinator-friendly gardens on the Taliesin estate."

The workshop will be taught by artist and lecturer, Kathryn Martin-Meurer. Also included, a landscape walking tour of the Taliesin estate and outdoor segments to gather natural materials for the project. Day 1 will include time for ideation and sketching. On Day 2, participants will build, from wood and found materials, their sculptures. Workshop includes all materials, an exterior tour of Taliesin, and lunches. The cost is $250 per person (includes all materials, tour of exterior of Taliesin and lunches). Read more.

Wright and Like 2018: Coming Home

Rolling hills and lush river valleys make up the landscape from which Frank Lloyd Wright drew inspiration. The annual Wright and Like house tour is "coming home" to Wright's beloved Wisconsin River Valley and the communities of Spring Green and Richland Center. On Saturday, June 2, 2018, the doors to six private homes and three public spaces linking the master architect's life, work and legacy will open for you to experience.

Enjoy guided interior tours of two buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, six private homes designed by his apprentices plus a church and the cemetery where Wright's father is buried, while also exploring the landscape that so inspired Wright's work, during this self-drive tour. Please note that Taliesin is not a site on the Saturday tour. The hours are 9 am - 5 pm. Members $60 (in advance) and Non-Members $70 (in advance).

To book one of their many tours, contact 877-588-7900 or www.taliesinpreservation.org. We strongly suggest booking your Taliesin tour for Friday or Sunday, allowing the entire day for the Wright and Like Tour. Read more.

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