A glowing, spiral-shaped Frank Lloyd Wright house that was almost demolished just sold for $7.25 million — take a look inside

Melissa WileyAug 22, 2020, 01:58 IST

Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

A spiral-shaped Frank Lloyd Wright home regarded as the architect's last residential masterpiece has sold for $7.25 million.
Known as the David and Gladys Wright House, the home was scheduled for demolition back in 2012, prompting a battle over its future.
After two years on the market, the home sold this month to Jim Benson of Benson Botsford LLC, who plans to preserve its original architecture in partnership with architects Bing Hu and Wenchin Shi.
Take a look inside the iconic home, which sits at the base of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona, and looks out over a citrus orchard.

A spiral-shaped Frank Lloyd Wright home, regarded as a precursor to the Guggenheim museum, just sold in Phoenix, Arizona, for half of its 2018 price.

Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

Known as the David and Gladys Wright House, it was completed in 1952 and is widely considered the architect's last residential masterpiece.

Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

Set on close to six acres at the base of Camelback Mountain, the three-bedroom home is raised above the ground by concrete columns and enjoys views of the surrounding desert and citrus orchard.

Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

Set on close to six acres at the base of Camelback Mountain, the three-bedroom home is raised above the ground by concrete columns and enjoys views of the surrounding desert and citrus orchard.

The main residence also looks out at a one-bedroom guest house ...

Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

... and a central courtyard with a plunge pool and garden.

Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

Wright designed the spiral-shaped home for his son, David, and daughter-in-law, Gladys, who lived in the home until their respective deaths in 1997 and 2008.

Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

After Gladys passed away, the home fell into disrepair and a battle over its future ensured. In 2012, the home faced threats of demolition, prompting Las Vegas attorney Zach Rawling to swoop in and save the home.

Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

After Gladys passed away, the home fell into disrepair and a battle over its future ensured. In 2012, the home faced threats of demolition, prompting Las Vegas attorney Zach Rawling to swoop in and save the home.

Rawling originally intended to turn it into a museum, but following neighbor complaints about potential noise and traffic, he put the home on the market in 2018 for $12.95 million.

Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

Rawling originally intended to turn it into a museum, but following neighbor complaints about potential noise and traffic, he put the home on the market in 2018 for $12.95 million.

After two years on the market, the home sold for $7.25 million this month to CEO Jim Benson of Benson Botsford LLC, who plans to preserve its architecture with the help of architects Bing Hu and Wenchin Shi.

Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

After two years on the market, the home sold for $7.25 million this month to CEO Jim Benson of Benson Botsford LLC, who plans to preserve its architecture with the help of architects Bing Hu and Wenchin Shi.

"We had several offers over the past few years, but the buyers always wanted to only tear down the house and build all new ones," listing agent Bob Hasset said in a release.

Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

"We had several offers over the past few years, but the buyers always wanted to only tear down the house and build all new ones," listing agent Bob Hasset said in a release.

The home sale included reproductions of Wright's signature 'March Balloons' carpet in the living room ...

Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

... as well as a dining table and chairs.

Photos: Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty; Diptych: Business Insider

The house has been restored in part, but there is still work to do. According to the property listing, the home is in need of structural and electrical repairs.

Photos: Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty; Diptych: Business Insider

Though impressive by day, the home's full architectural prowess goes on display at night.

Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

Lamps placed on pathways and ramps transform the property into a glowing field of light.

Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

Benson's restoration plans include installing a copper roof, which was part of Wright's original plans for the home. "These are the perfect buyers for this property, and we are all extremely happy that we were able to put this all together," Hassett said.

Bob Hassett / Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty

Benson's restoration plans include installing a copper roof, which was part of Wright's original plans for the home. "These are the perfect buyers for this property, and we are all extremely happy that we were able to put this all together," Hassett said.

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A glowing, spiral-shaped Frank Lloyd Wright house that was almost demolished just sold for $7.25 million — take a look inside

A spiral-shaped Frank Lloyd Wright home, regarded as a precursor to the Guggenheim museum, just sold in Phoenix, Arizona, for half of its 2018 price.

Known as the David and Gladys Wright House, it was completed in 1952 and is widely considered the architect's last residential masterpiece.

Set on close to six acres at the base of Camelback Mountain, the three-bedroom home is raised above the ground by concrete columns and enjoys views of the surrounding desert and citrus orchard.

The main residence also looks out at a one-bedroom guest house ...

... and a central courtyard with a plunge pool and garden.

Wright designed the spiral-shaped home for his son, David, and daughter-in-law, Gladys, who lived in the home until their respective deaths in 1997 and 2008.

After Gladys passed away, the home fell into disrepair and a battle over its future ensured. In 2012, the home faced threats of demolition, prompting Las Vegas attorney Zach Rawling to swoop in and save the home.

Rawling originally intended to turn it into a museum, but following neighbor complaints about potential noise and traffic, he put the home on the market in 2018 for $12.95 million.

After two years on the market, the home sold for $7.25 million this month to CEO Jim Benson of Benson Botsford LLC, who plans to preserve its architecture with the help of architects Bing Hu and Wenchin Shi.

"We had several offers over the past few years, but the buyers always wanted to only tear down the house and build all new ones," listing agent Bob Hasset said in a release.

The home sale included reproductions of Wright's signature 'March Balloons' carpet in the living room ...

... as well as a dining table and chairs.

The house has been restored in part, but there is still work to do. According to the property listing, the home is in need of structural and electrical repairs.

Though impressive by day, the home's full architectural prowess goes on display at night.

Lamps placed on pathways and ramps transform the property into a glowing field of light.

Benson's restoration plans include installing a copper roof, which was part of Wright's original plans for the home. "These are the perfect buyers for this property, and we are all extremely happy that we were able to put this all together," Hassett said.