by Peter Corbett – Jul. 4, 2009 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic
A notable Arcadia home that Frank Lloyd Wright designed for his son David has been sold for $2.8 million.
Escrow on the spiral-shaped home of about 2,250 square feet closed last week, said real-estate agent Cionne McCarthy of Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty.
The buyer plans to restore the nearly 60-year-old home to its original condition and live in it, McCarthy said.
“It’s everything the Wright heirs wanted,” she said.
One of two homes Wright designed for his children, it was occupied by David Wright and his wife, Gladys, its only owners. Gladys died last year, and David passed away in 1997.
The property southwest of 56th Street and Camelback Road includes a guesthouse, a pool and a spiral ramp leading to the home’s second-level living space. A rooftop deck affords views of Camelback Mountain.
Architect Arnold Roy of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation said he is pleased the new owner plans to restore the home. But he cautioned that it could be a costly project, since the home has had little maintenance over the past 50 years.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s going to need a new metal roof,” said Roy, a young apprentice with Wright before his death 50 years ago.
Wright designed close to 350 homes, including a half-dozen in the Valley.
The David Wright house went on the market last August for $3.99 million. The $2.8 million sale price was about $1,244 per square foot, not including the guesthouse. McCarthy said the sale was not about the price.
“The buyer was very happy,” McCarthy said. “She realized she is buying an art piece.”
The buyer was a limited partnership, JT Morning Glory Enterprises, whose members include Jean Tichenor, Spencer Russell and Carolyn Russell. The group paid cash.
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