A Frank Lloyd Wright Home Catches Fire, Suffering $100K in Damages
On Thursday evening, a fire badly burned the front room of the Boulter House—a two-story Usonian in the Clifton neighborhood of Cincinnati.
One of three homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Clifton, Cincinnati, has sustained fire damage estimated at roughly a sixth of its value. The homeowners, who purchased the Boulter House for $630,000 when it hit the market this past March, were out of town during the blaze. No one was injured, and local authorities are currently investigating the incident.
The built-in book shelves and furniture are built from cedar and mahogany.
Photo by Steve Paszt Photography
Floor-to-ceiling windows line the living area of the midcentury Usonian, allowing natural light to pour in.
Photo by Steve Paszt Photography
Get the Pro Newsletter
What’s new in the design world? Stay up to date with our essential dispatches for design professionals.
The fire torched the front room, and, sadly, caused significant smoke damage throughout the home. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the home for classical scholars Cedric G. and Patricia Neil Boulter in 1954, and it was completed in 1956. The Usonian was made a landmark in 1999 when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
A view of the Usonian home's exterior.
Photo by Nyttend
The ship-like midcentury bears the architect's signature style with African and Filipino mahogany, concrete blocks, glass expanses, a cantilevered balcony, and built-in furniture and bookshelves with strong horizontal lines. A master suite was added to the 2,500-square-foot home in 1958.
The kitchen has been softly updated to be more energy efficient.
Photo by Steve Paszt Photography
A bathroom is finished with wood, concrete blocks, and tile.
Photo by Steve Paszt Photography
The previous owner had spent the past 15 years restoring the original design, making sensitive, energy-efficient upgrades to the kitchen and master bath. Due to the fire damage, it will once again face a restoration period of some length.
Related Reading:
The New Owner of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Booth Cottage Files For Demolition
8 Frank Lloyd Wright Buildings Inducted Into the UNESCO World Heritage List
Published