If you have a lazy US$4.5 million burning a hole in your portfolio (maybe you made some paper money shorting gold last week?), you could do worse than buy this Pasadena, California, textile block beauty built by Wright all the way back in 1923.
La Miniatura, built in 1923 for Alice Millard, was the first of Wright's 'textile block' houses. Seeking a departure from the Prairie style for which he was best known, Wright created a series of homes from simple concrete blocks, patterned with motifs inspired by pre-Columbian ruins. Although critical response at the time was distinctly unkind, and concrete block construction never caught on quite the way the Prairie style did, time has vindicated Wright's creation: in 1980 the New York Times identified it as one of the best-known buildings in Los Angeles and a "classic work of the 20th century."
The main house is a relatively modest 2,400 square feet, with 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a two-story living room spread out over three stories to take advantage of the hilly site. There's also a studio designed by Wright's son Lloyd. 90 years after it was built, the house still seems strangely modern, with its simple concrete and wood construction and connection to the outdoors. And all this can be yours — the Pasadena home is currently for sale, for an asking price of $4.5 million (according to Canadian House and Home). I'm saving my pennies.
Interested? You can see the full listing from Crosby Doe Associates here.
Additional photos, details and sketches of the Millard House available at the Millard House website.
[Photos: Scott Mayoral, floor plans Frank Lloyd Foundation]
6 comments:
I think you meant it was built in 1923, not 19223.
We own a Frank Lloyd Wright lego set as we're on a budget.
Putting my left testicle up on trademe. If there was a god, he'd have lightening-bolted the original owners on day one & moved in himself.
I'm on the same budget, Eric. I own an FLW pop-up book.
PS: I'd put up both testicles if I thought it would help.
I do not think FLW envisaged his home filled with nutless wonders.
at least, there is no mention of an eunich room in the plans.
It looks more like a design from 19223.
Utterly, jaw-droppingly captivating.
Peter, is this the house that was bought in a neglected state and was about to be demolished, and has presumably been restored?
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