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Frank Lloyd Wright’s Last Design Opens to the Public in Ohio

Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural legacy is exemplified through his numerous designs scattered across the United States. Among his more than 532 works, Wisconsin boasts the highest concentration, featuring a trail of eight sites that highlight his profound connection to the state, including his inaugural home and studio, Taliesin in Spring Green. It was here he cultivated his craft before eventually moving to Chicago, where he fully launched his career in 1887.

In his later years, Wright found a warmer sanctuary in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he developed Taliesin West. Yet, in an unexpected twist, his final residential design stands in Willoughby Hills, Ohio.

RiverRock House, recognized as Wright’s last residential project, was constructed based on designs completed before his passing in 1959. This remarkable home is now available for overnight accommodations, welcoming up to six guests in its three-bedroom layout, furnished with two queen beds and two extra-long twin beds.

The property offers a distinctive opportunity to “experience his genius for yourself in the way he intended…by living inside his vision,” as noted on the home’s website. Guests can relish the environment without barriers, enjoying the house privately.

Nestled on 30 acres of wooded landscape in Lake County at 2217 River Road, the cozy residence includes a wood-burning fireplace and provides an idyllic woodland escape, with the Chagrin River meandering through its grounds. While it offers a retreat into nature, it is conveniently located just a 15-minute drive from prominent Cleveland attractions in University Circle, including the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum.

The story of RiverRock House is particularly remarkable because it nearly remained just a dream. In 1952, artist and educator Louis Penfield commissioned Wright to design Penfield House, modifying Wright’s Usonian design to fit Penfield’s 6’8″ stature. However, just as construction was set to begin, plans for a new interstate freeway threatened the site through eminent domain.

Faced with this challenge, Penfield approached Wright again to create a different home. Although he had retired from designing new residences at 91 years old, Wright agreed to take on the project, citing Penfield’s prior relationship with him as a client.

Wright passed away on April 9, 1959. During the week of his funeral, the Penfield family received unexpected news: the architectural drawings for their home were sent to them, having been discovered on the architect’s desk after his death.

However, the realization of RiverRock was delayed for several decades. It was only in 2018, when Sarah Dykstra acquired the property, that plans transformed into reality. Collaborating with her mother, Deborah Dykstra, Sarah served as co-general contractor, and earlier this month, a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the fulfillment of Wright’s vision, more than sixty years after it was sketched out, as reported by The News-Herald.

“When we set out to build this home, we instructed the professional team to make any necessary adjustments for current building codes and regulations, but to do so discreetly so that the overall appearance remained as intended,” Dykstra shared with Cleveland Magazine. “The design and artistic essence should mirror what was envisioned in 1959.”

Rental rates for this unique accommodation start at $800 per night for weekdays, rising to $1,000 on weekends, with a weekly stay priced from $5,500. For further information, visit riverrockhouse.com.

Source
www.travelandleisure.com