The Frank Lloyd Wright-Designed Louis Penfield House in Ohio Is For Sale For $1.3M
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1955, this 1,730-square-foot, three-bedroom, one-bathroom residence in Lake County, Ohio, is a rare find for homeowners seeking an authentic creation by the iconic American architect.
Known as the Louis Penfield House and located at 2215 River Road in the Willoughby Hills area, the residence is now for sale for $1.3 million through Karen Eagle at Hanna Howard.
Courtesy of HomeViews
According to the Penfield family, Louis and Pauline Penfield were touring Wright’s studio in Wisconsin in 1952 when they had a chance encounter with the famous architect—so the story begins.
Louis, who was astoundingly tall (six-foot-eight), challenged Wright by asking him if he could design a house for an inhabitant as tall as himself.
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Wright took up the challenge, and six months later, Louis received a draft for the Penfield House in the mail.
The rendering included high ceilings, narrow stairs with wide steps, and 16 thin ribbon windows—an unusual feature that accentuated Louis’ tall frame.
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Along with its interesting backstory, the purchase of the house also includes the blueprints for Wright’s final, un-built residential commission: a house named Riverrock, which Wright designed in 1959 for a section of the same lot that the Louis Penfield House occupies.
Should they choose to, the new owners can use the blueprints to build Riverrock according to Wright’s specifications.
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The house is on a heavily wooded, 30-acre plot on a rise overlooking the Chagrin River.
Courtesy of HomeViews
Courtesy of HomeViews
It was built with heavy, textured concrete blocks and deeply raked horizontal mortar. Since its creation, it's been restored while preserving the original Usonian style.
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In the living room, floor-to-ceiling glass walls offer panoramic views of the Chagrin River and the bluffs in the distance, while the interiors are filled with furniture that Wright designed for the house.
Each home that Wright designed was unique to its circumstances, and the Penfield House was no exception. Set on 30 acres in Lake County, Ohio, the 1950 home has taller ceilings and an elongated profile to accommodate the client Louis Penfield—who was six foot eight.
Courtesy of HomeViews
Courtesy of HomeViews
A floating wooden staircase, one of the many elements of the house that are inspired by Japanese minimalism, leads up to the bedrooms.
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Many of the architectural details and furnishings were made with a striking Black Cherry hardwood, along with other materials from nature.
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The kitchen counter was constructed using a tree that once stood 50 yards from the house that was uprooted during a storm.
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The floor heating system is fueled by two natural gas wells that sit on the property.
Courtesy of HomeViews
Courtesy of HomeViews
For more information, contact Karen Eagle at 440-772-6187.
Courtesy of HomeViews
Courtesy of HomeViews
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