Last we updated you on the David Wright House, the Arizona home Frank Lloyd Wright designed for his son, things were looking up – the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy (FLWBC) had gotten the unanimous decision of the Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission to recommend Landmark Preservation to the City Council.
Unfortunately, the developer, John Hoffmann of 8081 Meridian, says that really doesn’t matter to him.
According to yesterday’s New York Times article by Michael Kimmelman, Pheonix city policy requires owner consent before designating any building for historic preservation. Since “8081 Meridian never gave its consent, and has no intention of doing so, Mr. Hoffman says he rejects the landmark process outright.”
Hoffman’s demolition permit has been voided by city officials, but he maintains that the permit is legal – it just expires today.
More on the precarious fate of the David Wright House, after the break…
Kimmelman suggests that the threat is probably just a power play to try and push up the house’s asking price (especially since Hoffman has already rejected a cash offer of about $2 million dollars from an anonymous Frank Lloyd Wright fanatic; 8081 Meridian is hoping to sell for over $2.2 million).
We’ll keep you updated on what happens – in the mean time, you can get more info (and get involved) by visiting the FLWBC’s Save the David and Gladys Wright House page.
Story via The New York Times (includes a lovely description of the house)
