Frank Lloyd Wright's Price Tower faces interior stripping by blockchain entrepreneurs
Last year, blockchain entrepreneurs Anthem and Cynthia Blanchard acquired Frank Lloyd Wright's Price Tower, built in 1956 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, for a mere $10 after the previous non-profit owner fell into $600,000 debt. Their firm, Copper Tree Group, has committed to investing $10 million to restore this unique high-rise, the only one designed by Wright. However, tenants—including operators of a hotel, bar, restaurant, and local arts organizations—have received eviction notices demanding they leave by the end of the month. Furniture originally crafted by Wright for the 19-story building is being sold through private dealers, despite the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy's claim that this sale breaches the building's covenant.
Key facts
- Frank Lloyd Wright's 1956 Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, was sold for $10 to Copper Tree Group last year.
- Copper Tree Group is founded by blockchain entrepreneurs Anthem and Cynthia Blanchard.
- Tenants must vacate by the end of the month, including hotel, bar, restaurant operators, arts organizations, and a local magazine.
- Furniture designed by Wright for the building is being sold through private dealers.
- The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy says the sale violates the building's covenant.
- The building was originally designed for downtown New York City in 1929 but built in 1956 for industrialist Harold C. Price.
- The Price Tower is a National Historic Landmark and Wright's only high-rise building.
- HeraSoft, the Blanchards' blockchain company, was declared insolvent in April.
Entities
Artists
- Frank Lloyd Wright
- Anthem Blanchard
- Cynthia Blanchard
- Harold C. Price
Institutions
- Copper Tree Group
- Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy
- HeraSoft
- Artnet
Locations
- Bartlesville
- Oklahoma
- United States
- New York City
- Chicago
- Illinois