Sun Oct 06 03:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Frank Lloyd Wright’s Price Tower in Bartlesville Faces Uncertain Future as Auction Looms

**Bartlesville, OK** – The iconic Price Tower, designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, has been caught in a legal battle that could determine its fate. Originally scheduled to be auctioned off online in October, the tower is now set to be part of an auction held from November 18th to 20th. The uncertainty surrounding the sale stems from a failed purchase agreement between the current owners and a Tulsa development firm, McFarlin Building LLC.

McFarlin Building, led by John Snyder, had entered into an agreement to buy the tower for $1.4 million in May. However, the deal fell apart due to what the company claims were “extensive and unreasonable last-minute demands” by the current owners, Copper Tree Inc. and Green Copper Holdings LLC. The company has since filed a lawsuit to enforce the original purchase agreement, citing concerns about the tower’s safety and lack of insurance.

The Price Tower, Wright’s only realized skyscraper design, has been in a precarious position. After years of financial struggles, the building closed to the public in August, and businesses housed within the tower were evicted. The current owners, led by Cynthia Blanchard, previously stated their commitment to preserving the historic building, but the sale of artifacts and furnishings from the tower has raised concerns among preservationists.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to preserving Wright’s work, has filed a lawsuit against the Price Tower’s owners, aiming to prevent the sale of covered items without their consent. Meanwhile, McFarlin Building is hopeful that the court will intervene to ensure the tower’s preservation and prevent its potential sale to an entity that may not prioritize its historical significance.

The upcoming auction marks a critical moment in the Price Tower’s history. Its outcome will determine the future of this architectural masterpiece and whether it will receive the preservation and restoration it deserves.

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