Frank Lloyd Wright’s Iconic Price Tower Faces Uncertain Future – Preservation and Sale Stir Concerns Among Architects

UPDATE: According to real estate broker TenX, the auction of Price Tower is now expected to occur in early 2025.

The Price Tower, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most iconic and unique creations, is now in the spotlight as it faces both legal challenges and an uncertain future.

Located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, this architectural masterpiece is the only realized skyscraper designed by Wright and stands as a testament to his visionary design philosophy. However, recent developments, including a legal dispute and an impending auction, have raised concerns about the building's fate and the preservation of its historical significance.

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Price Tower’s History and Architectural Significance

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1952 and completed in 1956, Price Tower is a 19-story concrete and copper-clad skyscraper that remains one of the most significant examples of mid-century modern architecture. Originally commissioned by Harold Price for his oil company, the building's design was inspired by an earlier, unrealized Wright project for an apartment tower in New York City. Price Tower’s striking vertical structure, with its cantilevered floors and copper ornamentation, embodies Wright’s vision of organic architecture.

Wright referred to the tower as “the tree that escaped the crowded forest,” a metaphor that comes to life through its unique form, where each floor cantilevers out from a central core, much like branches extending from a tree trunk. The building’s walls are adorned with copper panels and gold-tinted windows, contributing to its distinctive appearance. Price Tower remains the only skyscraper Wright ever constructed, making it a singular piece in his extensive portfolio of groundbreaking designs.

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In 2007, Price Tower was designated a National Historic Landmark, a status that recognizes its architectural and cultural significance. The building has served various purposes over the years, including the Price Tower Arts Center, a museum, and a hotel. However, maintaining such a complex and historically significant structure has proven challenging, with ongoing preservation efforts and financial struggles.

The Role of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy

At the heart of the current controversy surrounding Price Tower is the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Wright’s architectural legacy. The Conservancy plays a vital role in safeguarding Wright’s buildings through preservation easements, which are legally binding agreements that protect the historical integrity of a property. These easements are among the most powerful tools for preservation, often providing stricter protections than even National Register or local landmark status.

In August 2024, the Conservancy filed a lawsuit against Green Copper Holdings, the current owner of Price Tower, for allegedly selling pieces of the building’s original collection without proper authorization. According to the Conservancy, items designed by Wright specifically for Price Tower, including architectural copper panels, custom furniture, and a unique rolling directory board, were sold to a Dallas-based mid-century design dealer without the Conservancy's consent. These items are protected under the preservation easement that Green Copper Holdings agreed to when purchasing the building in 2023.

As Architect Magazine reports, “Under the terms of the easement, the owner cannot sell easement-protected items without the Conservancy’s consent.” This legal protection ensures that Wright’s designs, which are integral to the building’s historic character, remain intact. The Conservancy’s swift action underscores the importance of these easements in maintaining the integrity of Wright’s buildings.

Price Tower’s Troubled Ownership and Auction

In 2023, the Price Tower Arts Center, which had operated the building as a museum, hotel, and cultural venue, transferred ownership to Green Copper Holdings, a consortium led by Cynthia Blanchard under the corporate structure Copper Tree, Inc. The sale was intended to inject $10 million into much-needed renovations and upgrades, as well as to address the nonprofit’s debt. However, less than a year later, in August 2024, Green Copper Holdings announced that tenants in the building would need to vacate by the end of the month and that staff would be laid off.

Reports soon emerged that Green Copper Holdings had placed the iconic skyscraper on the market, with an asking price of $4 million. The sudden decision to sell has shocked many in the architectural community and beyond, as Price Tower is not only a landmark of mid-century modernism but also a key piece of Oklahoma’s architectural heritage.

Now, the future of Price Tower hangs in the balance, as the building is postponed until November 18-20, pending the resolution of a lawsuit filed against the current owners. The outcome of the auction will have significant implications for the preservation of the building and its continued use. Will a new owner honor the building’s historical importance and the easements in place, or will Price Tower face further alterations that could compromise Wright’s original vision?

The Challenges of Preserving Historic Buildings

The situation surrounding Price Tower highlights a broader issue faced by architects and preservationists: how to balance the need for modernization with the imperative to preserve historical and architectural integrity. Historic buildings often require substantial renovations to meet contemporary building codes, including updates to HVAC, electrical, and mechanical systems. In many cases, adaptive reuse projects provide a way to give new life to these buildings while respecting their original design.

However, as Price Tower’s story illustrates, ownership transitions, financial pressures, and legal disputes can complicate preservation efforts. Preservation easements, like the one in place for Price Tower, are essential tools that help ensure the long-term protection of a building’s historical elements. But they are only as effective as the commitment of the current owner to abide by the terms.

Architects working on the preservation or adaptive reuse of historic buildings must navigate complex challenges, from structural integrity to compliance with modern regulations, all while maintaining the architectural character that makes these buildings significant. This requires a deep understanding of both the original design intent and the current needs of the building’s occupants.

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The Importance of Accurate Documentation in Preservation

One critical aspect of successful preservation projects is accurate and comprehensive documentation of the existing conditions. This is where advanced technologies such as 3D reality capture and as-built visualization come into play. Firms like GPRS and Existing Conditions (now a GPRS company) specialize in providing these services to architects, engineers, and construction professionals working on historic buildings.

For a structure like Price Tower, capturing the precise details of both the above-ground and subsurface elements is crucial. 3D scanning and reality capture technologies allow project teams to visualize the building’s current state in extraordinary detail, providing a foundation for informed decision-making throughout the preservation or renovation process.

As buildings age, unforeseen challenges can arise, including the need for structural reinforcements, upgrades to mechanical systems, or repairs to original materials. Having accurate as-built documentation provides architects and contractors with an accurate point of departure to address these challenges without compromising the historical integrity of the building.

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Looking Ahead: The Future of Price Tower

As architects, engineers, and preservationists await the outcome of Price Tower’s upcoming auction, the building’s future remains uncertain. Will it find a new owner committed to preserving Frank Lloyd Wright’s legacy, or will it face further alterations that could dilute its historical significance? The role of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, with its powerful preservation easement, will continue to be critical in ensuring that Price Tower’s architectural value is protected for generations to come.

In the meantime, the case of Price Tower serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in preserving iconic structures. From legal protections and ownership transitions to the need for modernization and adaptive reuse, architects working on historic buildings must balance many competing priorities. By leveraging advanced documentation technologies and adhering to preservation principles, the architecture community can help ensure that buildings like Price Tower continue to inspire and endure.

For more information about how GPRS and Existing Conditions can support your preservation and adaptive reuse projects, visit our portfolio here.