Frank Lloyd Wright's Sondern-Adler House Is Heading to Auction

The Kansas City home—previously listed at $1.7M— is now going up for auction with no reserve.

On August 12, bidders can take their best shot at owning the Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian that sits at 3600 Belleview Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri. Those interested can simply register with Heritage Auctions ahead of the sale, and though there isn't a starting minimum, it'll likely attract stiff competition.    

The residence was built for Clarence Sondern in 1940. Originally only 900 square feet, the home was expanded to 2,965 square feet in 1948 at the request of the second owner, Arnold Adler. The Adlers reached out to Wright and commissioned an addition to the original structure. The work included a new entry, a carport, an extra bedroom, bathrooms, and additional living space. The house is set on a small hill, so the expanded living room was built a few steps down from the rest of the structure and features a higher ceiling as a result.

The L-shaped home is a classic example of Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian style. 

The L-shaped home is a classic example of Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian style. 

The Sondern-Adler House, as the home is known, features a flat roof with a cantilevered overhang, clerestory windows, and is constructed from red tidewater cypress and brick—adding an organic element to the L-shaped, Usonian design. Set on a 1.4-acre private lot and surrounded by greenery, the home is a simple and beautifully executed example of Wright’s work.  

The flat roof cantilevers out over a stone walkway. 

The flat roof cantilevers out over a stone walkway. 

A grand glass door serves as the entrance to the home. 

A grand glass door serves as the entrance to the home. 

Large windows, a rich wood paneled ceiling, and brick make up this cozy living room. 

Large windows, a rich wood paneled ceiling, and brick make up this cozy living room. 

Clerestory windows line the top edge of the room. 

Clerestory windows line the top edge of the room. 

The floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto the stone terrace and provide a strong connection with the outdoors. 

The floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto the stone terrace and provide a strong connection with the outdoors. 

 The home features large windows and doors that open out onto three stone terraces, providing a perfect spot for entertaining.

 The home features large windows and doors that open out onto three stone terraces, providing a perfect spot for entertaining.

A slightly more formal great room is lined with floor-to-ceiling windows.  Note how the sofa is built into the steps.

A slightly more formal great room is lined with floor-to-ceiling windows.  Note how the sofa is built into the steps.

The elegant space is anchored by a brick, wood-burning fireplace. 

The elegant space is anchored by a brick, wood-burning fireplace. 

A few steps lead up to the dining room area. 

A few steps lead up to the dining room area. 

The dining area which is just off the kitchen, which features a built-in banquette.

The dining area which is just off the kitchen, which features a built-in banquette.

The original midcentury kitchen is in good condition, but could benefit from updates. 

The original midcentury kitchen is in good condition, but could benefit from updates. 

The kitchen offers plenty of storage. 

The kitchen offers plenty of storage. 

A cozy office space boasts a corner fireplace. 

A cozy office space boasts a corner fireplace. 

A sitting room.

A sitting room.

The home is elegantly set into its surroundings and overlooks a serene garden patio with a koi pond. 

The home is elegantly set into its surroundings and overlooks a serene garden patio with a koi pond. 

3600 Belleview Avenue is up for auction by Heritage Auctions on August 12th in Kansas City. 

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Jennifer Baum Lagdameo
Dwell Contributor
Jennifer Baum Lagdameo is a freelance design writer who has lived in Washington DC, Brooklyn, Tokyo, Manila, and is currently exploring the Pacific Northwest from her home base in Portland, Oregon.

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