The property melds elements of the mid-century-modern style with Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie School … [+]
One of the last three homes designed by America’s most famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, is on the market. The stately home known as The Fawcett Farm is on a 96-acre ranch in Los Banos, California.
Considered a Usonian home, a word coined by the architect to describe the New World character of America’s architectural landscape, it belongs to a group of 60 single-family homes designed in the latter part of Wright’s career. Melding elements of mid-century modern with Wright’s Prairie School style, the house was completed in 1961, two years after Wright’s death in 1959.
Wright’s grandson helped consult on the renovation.
The home’s original owners, Stanford football-star Buck Fawcett and his wife Harriet, built the home based on Wright’s plans. Meticulously preserved and restored in consultation with Frank’s grandson, architect Eric Lloyd Wright, the estate is being offered for sale at $4.25 million, according to TopTenRealEstateDeals.com.
An open floor plan connects the living, dining and family areas.
The 4,000-square-foot home has seven bedrooms and six full baths. Featuring a geometric motif, walls of glass with hardwood frames and the characteristic flat roof with overhanging eaves, the home is unique and striking. An open floor plan connects the living, dining and family areas. Classic mid-century wooden built-ins including cabinets, shelving and seating continue the geometric motif. Fireplaces adorn the living room, family room and master bedroom. Pastoral and mountain vistas provide an atmosphere of tranquility from the home’s many windows.
The bedroom is a soothing blend of comfort and style.
The restored farmhouse is among Wright’s last creations.
The primary bedroom and entertaining spaces open onto the property’s outdoor pool deck and patio area. In addition to a recessed pool, the landscaped grounds include palm trees, stone walkways, a Japanese garden and a koi pond with a waterfall. The bulk of the acreage is devoted to cropland, providing an opportunity for commercial agricultural production. The property is also zoned for horses. A detached workshop and a small museum complete the estate.
Los Banos, in California’s San Joaquin Valley, is known for its fertile agricultural land and friendly community. On the edge of a vast complex of preserved wetlands, it is a haven for waterfowl as well as anglers, hunters and birdwatchers. Numerous hiking trails and outdoor recreation opportunities abound, while a well-preserved historic downtown known as Henry Miller Square offers shopping and dining.
The listing is held by Crosby Doe of Crosby Doe Associates.