Real Estate

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Final Home Listed for $3.25 Million

Arizona’s Lykes House boasts sweeping desert views and the architect's signature embrace of circular geometry

February 13, 2018

Desert house with circular design elements on rocky hillside with mountains in the background at sunset. — Phoenix’s Lykes House—the last residential design by Frank Lloyd Wright—has hit the market for $3.25 million. Photo: The Agency

Modern desert house with curved architectural design against a rocky hillside background under a clear blue sky — Half dug into a mountainside, the property follows Wright’s embrace of organic forms. The Agency

In the final decades of his illustrious career, visionary American architect Frank Lloyd Wright embraced the geometry of circles, conjuring gracefully sinuous structures with dramatic interiors for a variety of clients. Among them was an Arizona couple who, in 1958, tapped Wright to create what would turn out to be his final residence: a circular concrete castle affixed to—and inspired by—a rugged mountainside in Phoenix. Completed posthumously by apprentice John Rattenbury, the 1967 Lykes House is now available for $3.25 million.

“We must find a buyer who has a great appreciation for the home’s history, design, and architectural significance,” says Roxanne Johnson of The Agency, the firm handling the sale. For their part, the current occupants—who purchased the 3,100-square-foot retreat from the original owners—asked Rattenbury to return in the mid-’90s to complete a sensitive modernization. Updates included enlarging the master suite, combining two guest rooms into one (for a total of three bedrooms), and converting a lower-level workshop into a media room—all done without interrupting the overall flow of the house.

Curved modern house with circular windows and a pool at sunset, surrounded by desert landscaping. — A crescent-shaped pool in the backyard. The Agency

Thanks to Rattenbury’s light touch, much of Wright’s original vision remains intact, including his signature built-in wooden furnishings, like shelving, cabinets, and a rounded banquette that hugs the living room’s curving walls. “When potential buyers tour the home, they are in awe of the timeless design and architecture,” says Johnson, who points to the sweepings vistas of the desert valley below as another key selling point. In the backyard, a crescent-shaped pool completes the 1.3-acre compound, especially when taking into account the playful geometric cutouts of the surrounding walls.

Spacious living room with curved sofa, large windows, and mountain view in a modern architectural home. — The living room boasts Wright-designed built-in furnishings and sweeping vistas. The Agency

Despite a resurgence of modern properties in Phoenix’s booming real estate market, Johnson says the Lykes House offers something special. “I wouldn’t compare this home to other contemporary homes,” she explains. “It’s very architecturally significant. Although it was designed 60 years ago, it still fits perfectly into the environment.” Credit Wright’s extraordinary gift for designing buildings that stand the test of time.

Contact: theagencyre.com