While it’s not publicly listed for sale, a one-of-a-kind Iowa home by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright is being floated off-market for an undisclosed price, as was first reported by Dwell.com. Commissioned for Oskaloosa clothing merchant Carroll Alsop in 1947, completed in 1951, and meticulously maintained through the years, the home is one of just seven Usonian-style structures Wright built in the Hawkeye State.
Supervised by Wright apprentice John deKoven Hill and completed by builder Jim De Reus in 1951, the Carroll Alsop House — also occasionally known as the Mitchell House — is a classic Wright Usonian, complete with a gable roof, large windows and abundant angles, and is justifiably listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Tucked into the side of a gentle hill, gracing a heavily wooded, 1.7-acre parcel of land on the eastern edge of the city, the striking red-brick and cypress-trimmed beauty offers 2,000-plus square feet of open and light-filled living space on a single level punctuated by a mix of glass, brick and wood. An L-shaped floor plan features a total of six rooms, including three bedrooms and two baths, and boasts a series of the renowned architect’s original details, such as built-in bookshelves, bunk beds and benches, along with red brick walls, tinted concrete flooring and plaster ceilings.
Easily standing out as the centerpiece: a spacious main living room sporting a splendid cantilevered brick fireplace surrounded by walls of glass and a soaring cathedral ceiling; and that area flows to a dining area, and a compact yet usable kitchen that has been updated, but retains the original cabinetry and red-hued concrete tile flooring. A gallery hallway lined with windows and shelves leads to the private, four-bedroom wing, which is showcased by a primary suite with bath that opens to a small terrace via sliding glass doors, plus an additional bedroom adorned with an original set of bunkbeds and a custom ladder.
And to sweeten the pot, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own every stitch of Wright-designed furniture in the house, including a trio of modular dining tables, eight dining/side chairs and four square-shaped tables, all of which were designed for the property’s original owner and remain intact.
The property was most recently owned by the late Gordon Bollinger, who died in early April, and will be sold as-is, with each offer reviewed as they arrive. For inquiries, contact Peter Maunu via email at petermaunu@sbcglobal.net.