Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pappas House in St. Louis Is Available For the First Time at $1.2M
Built from modular concrete blocks, the Usonian Automatic is one of just two Wright-designed homes in St. Louis—and even comes with the original furniture.
Usonian homes were Frank Lloyd Wright’s solution for middle-class, affordable housing in America that he started designing in the 1930s. The Usonian Automatic concept took his vision one step further—first using the term in the early 1950s, Wright hoped for homeowners to save money by building their own Usonian residences with modular, concrete blocks. Ultimately, however, assembling the 12" x 24" blocks proved to be more complicated than anticipated, and contractors became necessary to complete construction.
The Usonian Automatic home is built of pre-cast, terra-cotta tinted concrete blocks, formed on a two-foot module.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
One such construction, now for sale, is the 2,310-square-foot Theodore and Bette Pappas House, designed in 1955 for the Pappas family—the original and only owners to date. Set on 3.36 acres of private land in Town and Country, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, the historically registered home is one of only two Wright-designed buildings in all of St. Louis.
The landscaping plans were an integral part of the design and were said to be included in the architect’s fee.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
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The Pappas family worked with Wright on the planning of their residence, but by the time construction began in 1960, Wright had passed away. The home required several additions, including a bedroom and family room to accommodate the growing family, so the project was carried out by the Taliesin Associated Architects, who saw it through to its completion in 1964. Now the distinguished home—and all the original furniture—is being offered for $1,200,000.
The entrance to the Theodore and Bette Pappas House.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
The living room features a red concrete floor and warm Philippine mahogany furniture designed by Wright.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
As with most Usonian homes, the living room features high ceilings. The living room also opens to an outdoor terrace.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
The workspace, living room, fireplace, and dining area are all set within a square space.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
The terrace off the living room has floor-to-ceiling glass double doors and features glass insets, mitered at the corners to create a grill of concrete and glass.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
There are more than 500 glass insets throughout the home.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
There are also full-height double doors and a small terrace off the dining area.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
The home has three different roof levels. Ceilings are composed of modular concrete blocks and the red concrete is scored to resemble tiles throughout.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
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The life and work of visionary American architect Frank Lloyd Wright launches our new activity book series, Meet the Architect!, an expansion of our Meet the Artist! series. Flaps, cutouts, and pull tabs, take readers on a fascinating journey through Wright’s famous works—the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Fallingwater, and Taliesin, among others—and the materials and techniques he used to create them. This hands-on introduction will inspire budding architects from ages eight to eighty. Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press Photo Courtesy of Chronicle Books
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ShopBuilt-in furniture extends throughout the home.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
Changes in the floor levels and ceiling planes create differentiation between spaces.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
Wright crafted the dining table and chairs out of Philippine mahogany and and fabric-covered, foam cushions. All of the furniture designed by Wright in the home is also included in the sale.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
The kitchen has exposed concrete block walls and open shelving.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
Natural light streams into the kitchen through glass inset clerestory windows at the top of the 12.5-foot-tall ceiling.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
Philippine mahogany cabinetry in the kitchen echoes the rest of the home. The original red countertops pick up the red from the concrete floors.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
The four bedrooms in the house also have walls paneled in Philippine mahogany, ceilings of concrete blocks, and built-in furniture.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
The materials for the golden drapes and cream-colored bedspreads were selected by Mrs. Wright and were used in all four bedrooms.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
In the bathroom, even the shower is paneled in Philippine mahogany.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
This bedroom features a built-in double desk.
Photos by John Flack for Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
865 Masonridge Road, Town and Country, Missouri, is now being listed for $1,200,000 by Andrew W. Dielmann and Ted Wright of Dielmann Sotheby's International Realty.
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