While states in the Midwest such as Illinois and Wisconsin may be stippled with more Frank Lloyd Wright-designed projects than there are dimples on a golf ball, Montana is certainly not a state overflowing with the designs of the legendary American architect. In fact, there are only three buildings designed by Wright in the entire state, and that number may be dropping down to two in that not too distant future, Curbed reports.
One of Wright’s later buildings, designed in 1958 and not completed until 1959 after Wright had died, in the town of Whitefish, Mont., is at risk of being demolished if the Whitefish Architectural Review Committee decides to grant formal approval and a building permit for a new three-story commercial development on the site.
If formal approval is granted and a building permit is issued, Wright’s structure will be demolished and replaced with a three-story commercial development that includes retail space, offices, and four residential units on the top floor. The decision will be made when the committee meets on Dec. 6.
However, that meeting might not be as important for the Wright-designed building as initially thought. Not to eleiminate any dramatic tension, but the committee may have one less thing to consider come Dec. 6, as a story from the Whitefish Pilot posted to dailyinterlake.com, claims the developer has scrapped his plans for the commercial development amid backlash from the surrounding community and the Chicago-based Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy over the decision to demolish the Wright structure.
Mick Ruis, the developer who purchased the building for $1.6 million, tells the Whitefish Pilot he was unaware of Frank Lloyd Wright’s significance or the rarity of his buildings in Montana. He also says it was never his intention to destroy anything of any importance.
The 5,000-sf building was originally constructed as a brick and cast-concrete medical clinic with a brick fireplace, double clerestory windows and a 64-foot-long wall of floor-to-ceiling glass. Since its completion in 1959, some of the original details and features have been changed or removed. Ruis now plans to put the building back on the market at the same price he purchased it for; $1.6 million.
The hope is someone who will preserve the structure will buy it. In 2012, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but that does not protect it from demolition, meaning there is still a chance someone who will not be swayed by public opinion could purchase the building and demolish it. But, as of right now, it seems as though Montana’s count of three Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings will hold steady.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Jan 20, 2021
Abandoned Miami hospital gets third life as waterfront condo development
The 1920s King Cole Hotel becomes the Ritz-Carlton Residences Miami in the largest residential adaptive reuse project in South Florida.
Market Data | Jan 19, 2021
2021 construction forecast: Nonresidential building spending will drop 5.7%, bounce back in 2022
Healthcare and public safety are the only nonresidential construction sectors that will see growth in spending in 2021, according to AIA's 2021 Consensus Construction Forecast.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 14, 2021
The Weekly show, Jan 14, 2021: Passive House innovations, and launching a design studio during the pandemic
This week on The Weekly show, BD+C editors speak with AEC industry leaders about innovations in Passive House design, and the challenges of building a design team and opening a new design studio during a pandemic.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 8, 2021
Student housing development in the time of COVID-19
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, many college and university residences were completed in time for classes, live or virtual. Here are 14 of the best.
Contractors | Jan 7, 2021
The Weekly show, Jan 7, 2021: Preconstruction boot camp, and leadership strategies for navigating a challenging market
The January 7 episode of BD+C's The Weekly is available for viewing on demand.Â
Architects | Jan 5, 2021
Ware Malcomb finds itself in the mix for multiple diverse projects
Its latest completion is an office/factory/warehouse combo for one of Marvin Window’s brands.
Architects | Jan 4, 2021
Moody Nolan receives 2021 AIA Architecture Firm Award
Founded by Curt Moody, FAIA, NOMA, and the late engineer Howard E. Nolan, the firm’s work is centered on the belief that diverse perspectives foster creativity and more responsive solutions.
AEC Tech | Dec 17, 2020
The Weekly show: The future of eSports facilities, meet the National Institute for AI in Construction
The December 17 episode of BD+C's The Weekly is available for viewing on demand.Â
Multifamily Housing | Dec 16, 2020
What the Biden Administration means for multifamily construction
What can the multifamily real estate sector expect from Biden and Company? At the risk of having egg, if not a whole omelet, on my face, let me take a shot.
Giants 400 | Dec 16, 2020
Download a PDF of all 2020 Giants 400 Rankings
This 70-page PDF features AEC firm rankings across 51 building sectors, disciplines, and specialty services.