Some homeowners want their houses to stand out. Others, like Frank Lloyd Wright, design their homes to blend seamlessly into the landscape. The single-storey home on Burnham Blvd in Minneapolis does not stand out from the trees; it sits quietly among them. Completed in 1951, the impeccably preserved Usonian house is now on the market for $2.495 million, Realtor.com reported. David Stickney of Coldwell Banker Realty Stickney Real Estate is listing the house. According to the listing, it is “a rare opportunity to own a timeless Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home”.
Pic credit: Coldwell Banker
Wright House on Cedar Lake
Pic credit: Coldwell Banker
The three-bedroom, three-bathroom home sits on the southeast shore of Cedar Lake in Minneapolis, with a strip of city parkland between the house and the water. The home’s secluded location is another highlight. “It is an incredibly quiet and peaceful location, with the home situated on a private half-acre overlooking Cedar Lake and adjacent parkland. The way the home relates to its surroundings makes Cedar Lake and the parkland feel almost like an extension of the living space,” David Stickney told the outlet. “Much of Frank Lloyd Wright’s original design and craftsmanship remains intact, which is part of what makes the home so special.”
Pic credit: Coldwell Banker
Most of Wright’s houses are built primarily of wood, but the Neils House is different. Its listing describes marble-bearing walls, larch panelling and aluminium-framed windows and doors. Both the stone and the window framing are unusual for a Wright home.
Pic credit: Coldwell Banker
However, the Usonian residence blends Wright’s signature architecture with nature through floor-to-ceiling windows, dramatic vaulted ceilings, a massive Wrightian fireplace and custom-built furnishings. The house is in pristine condition, according to the listing. “Meticulously maintained and thoughtfully renovated by its current owner, recent improvements include a striking new contemporary two-car garage, synthetic shake roof, HVAC and more. A three-car carport provides additional covered parking.”
Pic credit: Coldwell Banker
The current listing describes a three-bedroom, three-bathroom home measuring about 2,511 square feet. It sits on half an acre, with views of the lake and the adjoining parkland.
Pic credit: Coldwell Banker
The previous owners
For more than five decades, the house remained in the same family. The original owners, Frieda and Henry J. Neils, passed the house on to their daughter, Mary Louise Neils McGee. Her estate sold the property in 2007 for $2.4 million, according to the Star Tribune. The second owners replaced the electrical and mechanical systems and updated some bathrooms. They carried out the work that a house like this needs while keeping its structure intact. That is a big reason the home still looks much as it did in 1951.In 2018, the house was listed for $3.4 million. However, after failing to attract prospective buyers, the asking price was reduced to $2.95 million. The new asking price is only $95,000 more than what the owners paid nearly two decades ago.The house is also a landmark. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the city of Minneapolis recognises it as significant for its “artistic value and innovative design”. Few houses in the Twin Cities come with that kind of record.The listing agent has a particular buyer in mind. “The ideal buyer is someone with a strong appreciation for architecture and design who is looking for something truly unique and special,” Stickney told the outlet. The property is perfect for those who understand the significance of owning such an architectural gem while also wanting to live in it today.