Embattled owners of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Price Tower building in Bartlesville, Oklahoma have announced an October auction in response to growing debt obligations, which have reportedly quadrupled to $2 million since a local couple purchased the landmark for just $10 early last year.
Details of the impending auction were first reported by local journalist Andy Dossett, who notes that "Washington County records indicate the assessed value of the property is $6,214,060."
Owner Cynthia Blanchard is now facing a separate legal challenge over the supposedly illegal sale of original furniture designs from the tower to a Dallas area design dealer earlier this summer. The auction will take place via the online platform Ten-X between October 7th and 9th. Blanchard will reportedly entertain offers beforehand. The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy currently holds a preservation easement over the property, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and won the American Institute Architects' Twenty-five Year Award nine years later.
4 Comments
This is yet another cautionary tale of how aggressive preservationism can actually result in the destruction of what they are trying to preserve. They've put so many restrictions on what can be done with this albatross, that nobody can actually meet them without bankrupting themselves. It's a terrible shame, because it's a great piece of architecture.
Condo conversion?
Actually. . . .
The Price is Wright.
To: Natematt, perhaps the Wright Price is not asked high enough?
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.