Frank Lloyd Wright Building in Montana Gets Reduced to Ruins

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Although the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy did their best to protect the Lockridge Medical Clinic building in Montana, it was demolished on the 10th of January, late at night. Situated in the city of Whitefish, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was designed, back in 1958, by the world-famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright and was constructed a year later. The design featured a single-story clinic building with a soaring central ceiling that let in plenty of natural light. Bricks were used all over its interior and exterior.

Whitefish Frank Lloyd Wright building demolition

Crews started demolition on a Frank Lloyd Wright building in Whitefish Wednesday night.

Posted by Montana Public Radio on Mittwoch, 10. Januar 2018

Interestingly, the Lockridge Medical Clinic building is the first usable Wright building to be torn down in more than four decades. However, it was no surprise as the owner first revealed plans to demolish the building in November 2016.  Later on, in 2018, he agreed not to demolish it, only under one condition; if a buyer can be found maximum by Wednesday 10th of January 2018.

According to Barbara Gordon from the Save Wright Foundation (FLWBC), this condition left them panicking and looking for someone who can save the building at the last minute.

Courtesy of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy

“It was communicated to all of us through our local contact working to broker the deal that the developer would not move to demolish the building until late 2018, by which time we expected the intended buyer to have their financing and complete the purchase,” stated Gordon.

“None of us are aware of why the owner changed his mind and moved up his demolition plans. It left us all scrambling to find a new cash buyer at the last minute. When none could be found, we made several appeals to the owner for more time to mobilize the many small donors from the public who contacted us wishing to contribute whatever they could towards saving the building, but he would not grant any more time.”

Courtesy of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy

One of the people who made efforts to save this building was Chere Jiusto, the executive director of the Montana Preservation Alliance. “It’s the only real Frank Lloyd Wright building that remains in Montana of any stature. We’re losing a treasure,” said Jiustio about the demolished building.

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