Perfect for having friends ROUND! Circular Arizona home which was legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright's final design sells for $1.7m - almost two million lower than its original asking price

  • Last home designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright before he died 
  • Buyer was from out-of-state & plans to use the 3,095sq ft pad as holiday home
  • Wright designed the home before his death in April 1959 at age 91
  • It was commissioned by Norman and Aimee Lykes and last renovated in 1994

By Ryan Fahey For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

An Arizona house that was the last home architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed before his death sold Wednesday for almost $1.7 million.

Out of nearly 20 bids at a public auction for the Norman Lykes House, the winning bid came from a man who lives out of state, Heritage Auctions said. 

He did not wish to be identified but said that he plans to keep the home intact and use it as a vacation home, spokesman Eric Bradley said.

The Norman Lykes House sold at auction on Wednesday for $1.7 million with a man from out of state winning after nearly 20 bids

The Norman Lykes House sold at auction on Wednesday for $1.7 million with a man from out of state winning after nearly 20 bids

The man who won said that he planned to use the property as a holiday home when visiting Arizona

The man who won said that he planned to use the property as a holiday home when visiting Arizona

A view of the private outdoor pool at the Norman Lykes Home in Phoenix, Arizona is pictured. The property covers 3,095 square feet

A view of the private outdoor pool at the Norman Lykes Home in Phoenix, Arizona is pictured. The property covers 3,095 square feet

Nicknamed the 'Circular Sun House,' the Phoenix property has been on and off the market over the last few years.

Wright designed the home before his death in April 1959 at age 91. It was commissioned by Norman and Aimee Lykes and last renovated in 1994.

The 3,095-square-foot property in the city's Biltmore neighborhood has three bedrooms, three baths and is nestled on the edge of a mountain preserve. The buyer also gets all the original mid-century modern furnishings.

The property, known as the circle house, was designed by Wright before his death in April 1959 at age 91. It was commissioned by Norman and Aimee Lykes and last renovated in 1994.

The property, known as the circle house, was designed by Wright before his death in April 1959 at age 91. It was commissioned by Norman and Aimee Lykes and last renovated in 1994.

Officials with the auction house say they were looking for a bidder who would invest in maintaining the integrity of the home

Officials with the auction house say they were looking for a bidder who would invest in maintaining the integrity of the home

Breathtaking views of the desert and mountains are seen from the Norman Lykes Home, on auction later this month

Breathtaking views of the desert and mountains are seen from the Norman Lykes Home, on auction later this month

Officials with the auction house say they were looking for a bidder who would invest in maintaining the integrity of the home.

Wright's influence can be seen across Phoenix. The lauded architect had a hand in designing the Arizona Biltmore resort, just a few miles from the Lykes House.

He is mostly known in the Southwest for creating his winter home and architecture school, Taliesin West, in 1937 in the Phoenix suburb of Scottsdale. 

Taliesin West remains popular with guided tours and presentations. It was one of eight Wright buildings added to UNESCO World Heritage list in July.

There was no reserve on the Lykes house which most likely explained the flurry of bids on Wednesday

There was no reserve on the Lykes house which most likely explained the flurry of bids on Wednesday

A view of the private outdoor pool at the Norman Lykes Home in Phoenix, Arizona is pictured. The property covers 3,095 square feet

A view of the private outdoor pool at the Norman Lykes Home in Phoenix, Arizona is pictured. The property covers 3,095 square feet

It was previously listed for $2.65 million, but has been on and off the market since 2016 and was as high as $3.6 million at one point

It was previously listed for $2.65 million, but has been on and off the market since 2016 and was as high as $3.6 million at one point

The owner of the spiral-shaped house had wanted to turn it into a museum and event space. But neighbors in the upscale Arcadia neighborhood complained about possible traffic. 

The sprawling property did not have a price tag attached for the auction. Heritage Auctions said there was no minimum asking price.

It was previously listed for $2.65 million, but has been on and off the market since 2016 and was as high as $3.6 million at one point.  

Nestled in the Arizona hills, there's a gated driveway and private pool. There's also a fireplace and central heating within the two-story mansion

Nestled in the Arizona hills, there's a gated driveway and private pool. There's also a fireplace and central heating within the two-story mansion

An office space featuring 360 degree views inside the Norman Lykes Home in Phoenix, Arizona is pictured

An office space featuring 360 degree views inside the Norman Lykes Home in Phoenix, Arizona is pictured

'This no-reserve auction presents a tremendous opportunity for fans of Frank Lloyd Wright to own his very last residential design,' Nate Schar, director of Luxury Real Estate for Heritage Auctions, had said in a release.

'[The home’s] stewards have been careful to preserve as much as possible of Wright’s vision. It’s a very special home.  If the picturesque space doesn't do it for you, there's a gated driveway and private pool. On the inside, you'll find a fireplace and central heating within the two-story mansion.' 

The master suite offers amazing views and balcony. Other amenities of Norman Lykes Home in Phoenix, Arizona, include a private pool and gated driveway.

The master suite offers amazing views and balcony. Other amenities of Norman Lykes Home in Phoenix, Arizona, include a private pool and gated driveway.

Part of circular interior at the Norman Lykes Home, also known as the 'Circular Sun Home' is pictured

Part of circular interior at the Norman Lykes Home, also known as the 'Circular Sun Home' is pictured

The final residential property designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is available to the right bidder. The most recent asking price was $2.65 million

The final residential property designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is available to the right bidder. The most recent asking price was $2.65 million

Master architect Frank Lloyd Wright died in 1959 just after designing the Norman Lykes Home in Phoenix, Arizona

Master architect Frank Lloyd Wright died in 1959 just after designing the Norman Lykes Home in Phoenix, Arizona 

The home is built as a series of intersecting circles and features handcrafted Philippine mahogany throughout the interior.  Schar says that look shows the Wright's 'fascination with geometry.' It's one of 14 circular homes that the master architect built.

Then there's the master suite which includes a balcony with canyon views. A second-story office offers 360-degree views.

The Norman Lykes Home, on a 1.3 acre plot of a rocky desert bluff, was designed in 1959 shortly the opening of the Guggenheim Museum, one of Wright's most famous buildings. 

Updates were made to the home in 1994 and approved by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. 

Another Phoenix home Wright designed for his son and daughter-in-law remains on the market. Constructed in 1952, the David and Gladys Wright House is currently listed at nearly $10 million. 

 

 

 

 

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