David Wright/Scottsdale home still in peril.

ZacharyMatthews · Post by **ZacharyMatthews** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 12:52 pm

Only 60 days away from possible demolition?

http://www.prairiemod.com/prairiemod/20 ... .html#more

I haven't seen this thread at the top for a while, I hope it can raise a little awareness and a call to arms.

Thank you to the FLWBC and all they do for this sort of battle.

Zach

DRN · Post by **DRN** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 1:32 pm

This is like a bad dream...I would never have imagined a work this prominent in Wright's oeuvre could become ensnared in this situation.

I am continually astounded by the callousness and greed of some that they will blithely purchase a culturally or historically sensitive building and expect to wipe it from the map because it is in their way. I wonder if our country could take a lesson from those "socialists" across the pond:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listed_bui ... _and_Wales[/url]

Roderick Grant · Post by **Roderick Grant** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:16 pm

Makes one wonder about David's heirs.

KevinW · Post by **KevinW** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:25 pm

Obviously, there was another type of greed at work here. The heirs of the property, asking way too much for the house to be considered for purchase as a residence. It's easy to blame the current owner of the property, but greed seems to have put it in jeopardy before the developer purchased it.
The Conservancy should be more proactive, with what events have come before, they should have seen this coming...(especially since it was "part of the family")

KevinW · Post by **KevinW** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 6:06 pm

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli ... e0903.html

This article pretty much says it all, in my opinion...$4 million for a small fixer upper that an apprentice who is still in the fellowship announces it's going to take millions to restore..

The article states the heirs said there are no resistrictions placed on the house...translation...sell for land value, screw the historical, Architectural and all other value of the house.

peterm · Post by **peterm** » Wed Jul 18, 2012 11:30 pm

It is utterly irresponsible to say that a house which has never been altered needs millions to be restored, without giving some sort of rough breakdown of the expenses. It appears to be in far better condition than most Wright houses that go on the market. Of course, if every "expert" from Taliesin is paid for their opinion, it could certainly add up. One good restoration architect who knows Wright's work well, and a small team of fine craftsmen should suffice. And that costs millions?

They flippantly call it a "fixer upper" without giving any indication of the scope of work which is supposedly necessary. Shouldn't Roy be making the case that the house has the highest conceivable provenance and is original top to bottom instead of further scaring away potential buyers?

KevinW · Post by **KevinW** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 12:35 am

My point exactly...with articles like that, the price tag in a horrible economy, what chance does the house have.

Wrightgeek · Post by **Wrightgeek** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 8:17 am

Two recent articles offer relatively dim prospects for the future of this house:

http://tucsoncitizen.com/arizona-news/2 ... -to-buyer/

http://www.azfamily.com/news/Photos-Acc ... 88296.html

As we on this board have feared all along, the current owners obviously see nothing but the bottom line when evaluating this property. They recognize no artistic or historical value, only dollars and cents. Obviously the heirs did not do their due diligence before the original sale of the property, and now the vultures are circling. If this turns out poorly for the house, there will be plenty of blame to go around. Lets hope that outcome can still be avoided.

outside in · Post by **outside in** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:14 am

this is difficult to follow - but if I read the articles correctly the "meridian" developers bought the house for 1.8 million and are now offering the house for 3.99 million, after discovering that many consider this an extremely important piece of architecture and are willing to do anything to save it? I don't get it.

peterm · Post by **peterm** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:26 am

It's a hostage crisis...

outside in · Post by **outside in** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:30 am

so that by offering to "sell" the house at a price for which there will be no buyers, the developers will proceed with demolition because a "preservation-minded" owner could not be found. Makes one's blood boil.

peterm · Post by **peterm** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:45 am

Exactly. There should be a law!

But for Arnold Roy to help make the case for their scam is just mystifying:
"I think it's a fair price." "Restoration could be costly, according to Roy, who estimates it could cost millions." "It's almost like car restoration. How much do you want to put into it?" he said.

He is basically saying that a buyer should be prepared to invest $5,000,000!

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli ... e0903.html

Is he on the developer's payroll???

KevinW · Post by **KevinW** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 11:33 am

So the house was listed at almost 4 million, sold for 2.8 million...so is that the owner who sold the rug at auction?

outside in · Post by **outside in** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 11:35 am

I believe so - this technique of holding a historic home hostage is sooo old - ends up with the "highest and best use" real estate formula. The developers should be tarred and feathered.

KevinW · Post by **KevinW** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 12:04 pm

Cant we like transfer some burrowing owls, or native American relics and remains, or put some endangered lizards or something on the site and really screw with the developer..