PrairieMod

Restoring Another ASB Home In Milwaukee

The Business Journal reports on the efforts underway to restore the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed American System-Built duplex on West Burhnam Street in the city of Milwaukee by Wright in Wisconsin. Read more here.

Image via bizjournals.com

11 Demolished Too Soon

The blog, Architizer, put together a list of 11 Buildings That Should Still Be Standing in honor of the struggle to save the American Folk Art Museum in New York City. Two Wright's make the list, though I think Midway Gardens should have been added. See it here.

Image via Architizer

Wright At Auction Round-Up

A few extremely important Frank Lloyd Wright-related items are set to be auctioned off in the coming weeks. The Swann Auction Galleries has a rare original 1927 drawing for a proposed cover design for Liberty Magazine. The Wright Auction house (no relation to Frank) has three items of note: An original Imperial Hotel chair, a section of decorative frieze from the Dana House, and an original chandelier from the Adelman House in Phoenix.

It's a real shame this chandelier is no longer in the house it belongs to (apparently it was sold by an owner at some point in a private sale). Perhaps it can find its way back home...but at a $30,000 - $50,000 auction estimate, that's not likely. Follow the links above to see all the items.

Image via Wright20.com

Surveying River Forest's Housing

Here's a link to an article about a recent presentation titled "The Architecture of River Forest: From Carpenter Gothic to Mid-Century" given by Doug Gilbert and Jean Guarino. Gilbert and Guarino are consultants hired as part of a team working with the River Forest village government and the Historic Preservation Commission on an architectural and historic survey of homes in the town. Read more here.

Image via oakpark.com

A Conservation Case Study On A Case Study

The Los Angeles Times recently spotlighted the Getty Conservation Institute's Conserving Modern Architecture Initiative and their pilot project preserving Charles and Ray Eames' landmark Case Study home. Read more about it here.

Image via LA Times

Don't Miss Michigan Modern

State Historic Preservation Office is gearing-up to welcome throngs of MCM lovers from around the world to celebrate "Michigan Modern: Design that Shaped America", the most ambitious project to date examining the history of Michigan's major impact on the evolution of American Modernism. More here.

Image via michiganmodern.org

Unity Temple Restoration Foundation's Annual Meeting

Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple in Oak Park, IL has been much in the news lately. Anyone interested in the future of the building might want to consider attending the Annual Meeting of the membership of Unity Temple Restoration Foundation on the evening of Tuesday, May 28th. Join UTRF at 6:30 pm in Unity House for light refreshments, followed by the annual meeting at 7 pm in Unity Temple. RSVP to 708-383-8873 or info@utrf.org. Go here for more info.

Image via UTRF

A Look At Goodrich

For those readers who could not make this year's Wright Plus Housewalk (which took place Saturday May 18, 2013) then you're in luck, the Forest Park Patch will be highlighting houses from the walk all this week. As a start, read about the Goodrich House (an early Wright design) here.

Image credit: Michael Sewall

Happy 100th Jack Howe

Rob Barros reminds us that today would have been Jack Howe's 100th birthday. Celebrate by attending the tour of Howe's "Redleaf" in Lakevielle, MN and hearing Rob speak about his Howe documentary. More here.

Image via Rob Barros

2014 Legacy Year “All Wright” Housewalk

To celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio and the 40th anniversary of the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, which owns and operates the Home and Studio, 2014 is designated as the Legacy Year.
 
To mark the Legacy Year, the Wright Plus Architectural Housewalk in Oak Park, Ill. on Saturday, May 17, 2014 will be an “All Wright” event featuring eight private homes and three public buildings all designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. More after the jump...

The Pros And Cons Of Owning Wright

The Wall Street Journal reports that there are 20 Frank Lloyd Wright homes for sale across the country--with some are available at a markdown. However, owning an architectural work of art comes with some significant drawbacks if you're not ready for it. Read more here.

Image via WSJ

Unity Temple's $10 Million Deal

Emily Roth, Executive Director of the Unity Temple Restoration Foundation, sent word about a new $10 million preservation deal that would place the framework in place to fully restore Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple. More after the jump...

Don't Snuff Out The Lamp House

News comes in on the first of two neighborhood meetings that occurred this week on development projects just east of Madison, Wisconsin's Capitol Square that could have a serious impact on the future of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Lamp House. More after the jump...

A Look At Usonia

Wright in Racine has posted a special look at "Usonia: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Vision of the American Home,” the second iteration of SC Johnson’s permanent exhibition of At Home with Frank Lloyd Wright, which recently opened in Fortaleza Hall on the company campus in Racine. Read and see more here.

Image copyright Mark Hertzberg

Wes Peters House Endangered

Preservation Alliance of Evansville, Indiana has announced their “Top Ten Endangered List” for 2013 and The Peters-Margedent House, designed by William Wesley Peters (1935), makes the list. The group is trying to save the house by possibly moving it from its current location. Read more about it here.

Image via Google Maps

Wright & Like 2013: Greetings From Lake County

Save June 7-9, 2013 on your calendars and plan on heading to Lake County in Wisconsin to tour the amazing collection of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes open for tour at the 18th annual Wright & Like Tour. Get all the details and tickets here. See you there!

Images via wrightinwisconsin.org

Remembering Wright's Bijou

Metropolis Magazine remembers Frank Lloyd Wright's bijou, as he once described his (now demolished) Hoffman Auto Showroom, formally of New York City. Read it here.

Image via metropolismag.com

Samara At The Bradley House

Wright in Kankakee is hosting a special event at the B. Harley Bradley House on May 23, 2013 in which a film about Samara, the Usonian house FLW designed in West Lafayette, IN, will be shown. Following the film there will be a discussion with Linda Eales, the Associate Curator at Samara. Doors open at 6:30, and space is limited. The film begins at 7:00. Refreshments will be served. There is no admission charge, but we ask a $10 donation, to support the work of Wright In Kankakee. Find out more here.

Grand Rapids 44th Annual Weekend Tour Of Homes

Celebrate spring and National Historic Preservation Month with the 44th Annual Weekend Tour of Homes, May 18 and 19, 2013, in the Heritage Hill neighborhood of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Join hundreds of old-house lovers who will explore preserved and restored houses in one of the country's largest historic districts. The walk includes eight private homes and two public buildings (including Frank Lloyd Wright's Meyer May House). Find ticket information and photos at here.

Image via heritagehillweb.org

A Night With Wright And Ware

Tickets are now on sale for an exclusive event titled "A Night with Wright and Ware," Thursday, May 23, 6 to 8 pm. You'll be able to tour Frank Lloyd Wright's 1902 masterpiece, the Arthur Heurtley House, which is featured in Chris Ware's graphic poster he designed for the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest. Wander this spectacular house, savor the wine, sample delicious hors d'oeuvres, and mingle with Oak Parker Chris Ware. Order tickets (and posters) here.

Image via oprfhistory.org

Get Your Wright Plus Tickets Before They Are Gone

If you have not already gotten your Wright Plus tickets for this year's housewalk on May 18th then what are you waiting for!? There are several Wright and Prairie School gems open for tour that are not to be missed. Get your tickets here before they are sold out.

Image credit: James Caulfield

Development Proposal And The Lamp House

Michael B. sends information about an upcoming neighborhood meeting regarding the development proposal for the remainder of Madison, Wisconsin's Webster Street block (except for one lot adjacent to the Pahl Tire property) which directly affects Frank Lloyd Wright's Robert Lamp House (1903). More after the jump...

Don't Miss Seeing Blossom & McArthur

Just a reminder: Don't miss the opportunity to tour Frank Lloyd Wright's Blossom House and McArthur House on Saturday, May 11, 2013 as part of a special event hosted by The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy. It's a rare opportunity to see a pair of Wright's early works, enjoy some refreshments, and the chance to meet several knowledgeable members of the Wright community. Plus your tour donation helps support the preservation mission of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy. Details here.

Images via FLWBC Wright on the Market pages.

Preserving Pinecone Pavilion

Nelson B. sends a link to an article on the effort to preserve the E. Fay Jones-designed Pinecote Pavilion at The Crosby Arboretum in Picayune, Mississippi. Read more about it here.

Image credit: Sr Curator, R. Stafne. Text and images copyright Mississippi State University, 2012.

SCJ Tower To Open For Tours

Big news for architecture lovers was posted on Mark Hertzberg's Wright in Racine blog: Frank Lloyd Wright's SC Johnson Wax Research Tower will soon be partially open next year! This is really exciting because the Tower has been closed to access since 1981. Read more about the work underway to prepare the Tower for tours and see tons more photos here.

Image copyright Mark Hertzberg

Gather 'Round The Fireplace

Sherri S. sends word that on Saturday, May 11, 2013, from 9:30 am - 1 pm there will be a chance to join members of the American Arts Society (a support group of the Milwaukee Art Museum) as they discuss the restoration of the Museum's George Mann Niedecken Fireplace Surround for the Harnischfeger Residence (ca. 1905). Specialist conservator Olaf Unsoeld (Fine Wood Conservation, Ltd., Brooklyn, NY) will be in Milwaukee and will share his assessment and treatment plan for the piece. The day will begin with coffee and pastries, and end with a boxed lunch. $45/person ($40 for American Arts Society Members) Register by May 3. Limited to 30 people. Contact Mel Buchanan 414-224-3281 or mel.buchanan@mam.org. Details here.

Image via MAM

Couple Follows The Architect's Vision

Here's a link to a feature post on Houzz about owners Scott and Emily Faulkner's efforts to have architect James Cowan's original drawings for their 1957 Ellensburg, Washington home guide the renovation efforts. Read and see more here.

Image via Houzz

Illinois Ten Most Endangered 2013

Landmarks Illinois announced its annual list of the Ten Most Endangred Historic Places for 2013. In addition to bridges, mausoleums, and hotels is the The Lincoln Colored Home for orphaned black children in Springfield, IL. We've talked about this site before and the rumor that there might be a Frank Lloyd Wright connection. See the whole list here and support Landmarks Illinois to help save these and other important historic sites in the state.

Image via Landmarks Illinois

See Howe's "Redleaf"

Rob Barros sends word that Minnesota Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians members are invited to tour “Redleaf,” a house in Lakeville designed by John H. Howe, on Saturday, May 18, from 10 am to noon. More info after the jump...

Thorncrown Under Siege

Nelson B. sends word that the E. Fay Jones-designed Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansa is under the threat of having its site compromised by a 48-mile-long high voltage transmission line by Southwest Power Company. If you care about preserving the sanctity of this magnificent chapel's landscape, then add your voice to this petition here.

Image via Architizer

FSC Wright Projects Get Funding

Florida legislature finally hashed out a deal over the weekend to fund two important projects at Frank Lloyd Wright's Florida Southern College: $500,000 for the Sharp Family Tourism and Education Center that is being constructed from unbuilt Wright plans and more than $300,000 to restore the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel. Read more here.

Image via www.buildingtheusonianhouse.com

Goodrich Is Looking Good

Anyone attending this year's Wright Plus Housewalk in Oak Park, IL will see the amazing amount of work that owners Mary Ludgin and Mark Donovan have done over the past 14 years on the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Louisa and Harry Goodrich House (1896). Read more about the work here and get tickets to Wright Plus 2013 here.

Image via dailyherald.com

Wright Window On Ebay

A sad reminder of a lost Wright appeared on eBay recently: A set of windows from the W.S. Carr Residence (formally of Grand Beach, Michigan) is up for sale. Too bad they could not have stayed intact with the rest of its now lost house. See the listing here.

Image via Ebay

What A Difference A Week Makes

Mark Hertzberg has posted new photos of the restoration work underway at Frank Lloyd Wright's Hardy House in Racine, WI. You still have an opportunity to see this amazing arcitectural icon in person this weekend, thanks to the special tour hosted by Wright in Wisconsin taking place on April 27. Wright in Racine post here; tour details here.

Image copyright Mark Hertzberg

See Blossom And McArthur Houses

The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy is hosting a special event on May 11, 2013 in which people will be able to tour the George Blossom House (1892) and the Warren McArthur House (1892), both early designs by Frank Lloyd Wright. Don't miss this opportunity to see these Wright "bootleg" designs--get more info here.

Images via FLWBC

Mies-ed It By That Much

As the rivers in the Chicagoland area spilled over their banks this last week, Modern Architecture lovers waited with angst to see whether or not Mies van der Rohe's steel and glass masterpiece, the Farnsworth House (1951) in Plano, IL would succumb to flooding once again. According to the house's website and Lee Bey's blog, it seems like the stilted home's interior may have dodged a bullet this time. I won't rest too easy until all that water goes down. More here.

Image via miesglasshouse.wordpress.com

Bach House Buzz Building

There's exciting buzz building about Frank Lloyd Wright's Emil Bach House in Chicago. This little late Prairie gem is undergoing an extensive restoration by Tawani Enterprises, a firm owned by Chicago philanthropist and businessman, Col. JN Pritzker (IL-Retired). The house was commissioned in 1914 by Emil Bach, an early admirer of Wright’s work. The project is scheduled for completion in July, 2013 and will be open for overnight guests and exclusive private events. Check out the restoration progress as it's being documented on the Emil Bach House website here.

Image via blog.emilbachhouse.com

Tyler, TX Goff Building Destroyed

Here's a link to a video showing the destruction of the Bruce Goff-designed Ben Fitzgerald real estate building in Tyler, TX. If you have to look for a silver lining, the grandson of the original client was able to convince the demolition crew to save the tall sign that is supposedly to have been designed by Goff. Read and see more here.

Image via tylerpaper.com

Russian Cylindrical Home In Danger

Nelson B. sends word that Russian avant-garde architect Konstantin Melnikov’s famed 1929 cylindrical home in Moscow is in danger of collapsing. Read more about it here.

Image via Architizer

Goff's Tulsa Building Sold

PrairieMod reader Zachary Matthews sent news to us that Bruce Goff's Tulsa Club Building has sold to local businessman, Josh Barrett, president of Vesta Properties, for $460,000. Barrett states he plans a mixed-use development in the building with a combination of commercial and residential properties. Let's hope this important building can be brought back to some of its former glory. More here.

Image via tulsaworld.com

Goff Building To Be Demolished For Car Wash

Troubling news out of Tyler, TX: Bruce Goff's only work in the town, the Ben Fitzgerald real estate building, is set to be demolished as early as today to make way for a car wash. Even though concerned locals want it to be saved, there's no protection for the building and its owners aren't keen on saving it. Does the world really need another car wash? Read more about this imminent loss here.

Image via tylerpaper.com

More Rookery For Sale

Speaking of pieces of the Rookery Building for sale--in looking for info regarding the elevator transom for sale at Urban Remains, I came across the news that the Leslie Hindman auctioneers is selling the Adams Street staircase from the northeast corner of the famed Rookery Building as a private sale.

As stated at the auction house's website: "The six flights of the original staircase will be sold individually by flight and are comprised of cast iron and marble elements including: balustrades, baseboards, beam covers, columns, column covers, fascias, handrails, landing beams, landing tees, marble slabs, marble walls, newel posts, risers, stringers, treads and wainscoting. The stairway was carefully dismantled, tagged, numbered and removed during the renovation and restoration of the Rookery in March of 1990, over 100 years after the building was erected by the Chicago architectural team of Burnham and Root. Following this grand-scale restoration process, the building’s owner, L. Thomas Baldwin III, presented the stairway as a gift to the University Museum at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The sale of the staircase will benefit the University Museum."

At this rate, will anything be left at the Rookery? Read more here.

Images via lesliehindman.com

Rookery Elevator Panel For Sale

Urban Remains in Chicago recently added a rare elevator door transom from the interior Rookery Building for sale on its website. The metal piece dates from the 1930s renovation by William Drummond and features etched Art Deco motifs and winged animals designed by Annette Byrne. Not sure why it still isn't at the Rookery in downtown Chicago. No price is listed, but I can guess it's got several zeros at the end of it. More here.

Image via Urban Remains

Chicago's Fire Sale

11 vacant firehouses are set to be sold off by the city of Chicago, with officials saying any proposed use (single family home, retail, museum) will be considered regardless of zoning. Read more about it here.

Image via dnainfo.com

Hoffman Showroom: A Last Look

Back in January, PrairieMod pal, Zachary Matthews sent some photos of the recently vacated Hoffman Auto Showroom to share with readers. After its recent demolition, Zachary found a few more detail shots from his visit and sent them along. See them all after the jump...

More On Hoffman Showroom Demolition

The shock of the demolition of The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Hoffman Auto Showroom in New York City earlier this week is starting to hit people and more reaction is coming out from preservation groups and individuals. The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy has posted an official statement about the loss, as well as a statement of importance written by architectural scholar David DeLong. Crain's New York has also posted an article with some of the New York reaction. Follow the links to read each. The only way to avoid senseless losses like this in the future is to support preservation organizations like the FLWBC and act proactively to save remaining sites.

Image credit: Matt Chaban/Crain's New York

Renovating Goff's Riverside Studio

Zachary Matthews sends a link to a Newson6.com story about the campaign to raise $4 million to renovate the Bruce Goff-designed Riverside Studio (1928) in Tulsa, OK which is now known as the Tulsa Spotlight Theater. Hopefully that amount includes recreating the Olinka Hrdy murals and Alfonso Iannelli fountain. More here.

Image via newson6.com

Lost Wright: More Info On The Hoffman Auto Showroom Demolition

More information comes out about the loss of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hoffman Auto Showroom at 430 Park Avenue in New York City, which was completely gutted during March 29- April 3. Although altered twice over the years, when it was destroyed it still retained the central and distinctive Wright-designed elements of the spiral ramp and turntable. PrairieMod contacted the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy to provide some aditional information regarding what was being done to try and save this site in the months prior to its sudden demolition and for some reaction to its loss. Read more after the jump...

54 Years Ago Today...

Today marks the 54th anniversary of Frank Lloyd Wright's passing. He was almost 92 when he passed and his legacy shines on in the inspirational works and words that he left behind. It's amazing how one creative person can have such a remarkable impact on so many lives. Help keep that legacy alive by becoming a member of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, or any of the many individual sites that promote Wright's legacy.

Image via PrairieMod

Wright's NYC Auto Showroom Demolition

I stumbled across a disturbing news article this evening from commercialobserver.com that stated the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Max Hoffman Auto Showroom in New York City is currently being demolished(!) following the departure of the Mercedes-Benz dealership in January. Hopefully a reader near New York City can confirm this horrible news. We'll follow this story as more details emerge. Read more here.

Image via Zachary Matthews