Conservancy Obtains Authentic Artifacts from Oklahoma's Price Tower, Crafted by Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy Acquires 11 Original Artifacts from Price Tower
The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy has acquired eleven original artifacts designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for the Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The artifacts, which include the lobby directory board, an armchair, three copper tables, two stools, and four embossed copper panels, were sold without the conservancy's permission in early 2024 despite being protected by a preservation easement.
The acquisition was made to prevent further sale and dispersal of these items and ensure their eventual return to Price Tower. The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy considers this acquisition an "extraordinary step" after persistent advocacy and lengthy negotiations. The purchase of the 11 artifacts allowed the conservancy to secure their easement-protected items without the uncertainty and high cost of pursuing further legal action.
The Price Tower, Wright's only skyscraper, is a landmark of modern architecture. Wright’s design philosophy emphasized an integrated aesthetic where custom furnishings were essential to his architectural vision. Losing these artifacts to private markets would have meant the dispersal of critical elements of this holistic design.
The sale of Price Tower and the subsequent auction of its fixtures was a significant event in the preservation of the building's original pieces. The January sale concluded a six-month-long dispute, complicated by the sale of the building's fixtures by Copper Entities, some of which were sold off in breach of preservation agreements.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy is deeply grateful to the generous donors who made it possible to save these unique Wright-designed items. The 11 artifacts, currently stored in the Dallas area, will once again become part of the Price Tower experience for visitors, according to the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy's intentions.
While the Price Tower is now owned by McFarlin Building LLC, the conservancy intends to work with the new owners to return the artifacts to public display at Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The resolution compels the enforcement of a May 2023 contract between the current owners, Copper Tree and Green Copper Holdings, together known as Copper Entities, and Tulsa-based McFarlin Building Company.
The acquisition of these artifacts preserves a vital part of Wright's architectural legacy and ensures the holistic experience of the Price Tower can be maintained for future generations.
- The museum exhibition featuring the Original Artifacts from the Price Tower, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, could potentially include the lobby directory board, an armchair, three copper tables, two stools, and four embossed copper panels, recently acquired by the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy.
- The sale of these easement-protected artifacts at an auction may have caused a financial loss for investors, as their eventual return to Price Tower marks the end of their circulation in the real-estate market.
- In order to maintain the Integrated Aesthetic of the Price Tower, the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy is planning to put the now-acquired 11 Artworks, including furnishings like chairs and tables, back on display in the museum setting after they are returned to Price Tower.
