The 1952 David and Gladys Wright House saved from demolition.
Image: Courtesy, Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy.
Following six months of intense campaigning involving a worldwide petition, the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy facilitated the purchase of the house (for an undisclosed price) through a company owned by an anonymous benefactor. The property will now be transferred to an Arizona not-for-profit organization responsible for its restoration, maintenance and operation.
David and Gladys Wright House in Phoenix Arizona is the only residence based on the spiral plan of the Guggenheim Museum.
Image: Courtesy, Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy.
The Conservancy claims that for almost forty years no intact Wright building has been intentionally demolished. After it learned in May 2012 of the owner/developer’s intent to demolish the house to build luxury residences, the Conservancy requested the City of Phoenix to grant historic preservation and landmark designation to the house, and launched the world-wide petition to rally support.
Interior of the David and Gladys Wright House.
Image: Courtesy, Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy.
Built in 1950-52 by Frank Lloyd Wright for his son David, the house is unique among Lloyd Wright’s designs, being the only residence based on his circular spiral plan of the Guggenheim Museum in New York, which followed six years later.
A number of local organizations, including the Arizona Preservation Foundation and the Phoenix chapter of the American Institute of Architects, as well as national organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Society of Architectural Historians endorsed the Conservancy’s appeal. In mid-June the City of Phoenix Planning Commission voted unanimously to consider a preservation designation, an action that immediately triggers a delay to any demolition permit, though only temporarily.
The sale that ultimately saved the house closed on 20 December 2012. “This is a holiday/new year’s gift to all lovers of modern architecture!” said the Conservancy in its statement announcing the good news, adding: “We continue to urge the city to approve landmark status for the building. Even though the building is not in danger it deserves this designation.”
