New Jersey’s Oldest and Largest Frank Lloyd Wright House Cuts Price to $1.45M

James B. Christie House—the first of only four Wright-designed residences in the Garden State—slashes its price to entice buyers.

Text by

Lucy Wang

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Designed in 1940, this handsome Frank Lloyd Wright house bears the iconic hallmarks of Usonian design with its low-slung form, strong connection with the outdoors, and reliance on native materials including brick, cypress, and redwood throughout.

Set far back on a wooded 7.2-acre property in Bernardsville, New Jersey, the James B. Christie House takes advantage of its private location with ample glazing.

Known as the James B. Christie House and Shop, the residence had been in possession of its eponymous owner for only half a decade before it was sold to Sultan Amerie, a government official from Iran who lived there with his family for 40 years.

The view of the house seen from the driveway. To the left is the workshop and wood shed connected to the carport by a trellis.

The single-story, Usonian house was based off a two-by-four-foot grid that informed the 2,000-square-foot, L-shaped plan.

The living room and dining area features original built-in seating, tables, and chairs designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Full-height glazed doors flood the interior with natural light and open up to an outdoor brick terrace.

In 2003, New Jersey–based practice and Frank Lloyd Wright preservation specialists Tarantino Architect was hired to add a master bedroom suite extension—a design originally conceived by Wright that was never realized by the original owners.

The master bedroom suite realized by Tarantino Architect opens up to an enclosed brick patio.

Tarantino Architect's extension includes a heightened clerestory lounge with built-in seating. Great care was taken to match the original materials and details.

The master bath includes a double vanity as well as a jacuzzi tub with rain shower.

The 2,700-square-foot home also includes a two-car garage and a 700-square-foot artist studio with fireplace (not pictured).

A nighttime view of the home seen from the northeast. To the right is the bedroom wing extending north. To the left is the living room wing stretching to the east.

Upgraded with a new roof, systems, windows and baths, the three-bedroom, 3.1-bath property has recently lowered its asking price from $2,200,000 to $1,450,000.