Price Tower, an iconic Frank Lloyd Wright skyscraper in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, is facing closure just 18 months after it was purchased by local investment firm Copper Tree Group. The firm had originally promised a revitalization of the 19-story building that included plans for upscale restaurants and a boutique hotel and positioned the building as the centerpiece of a new technology hub called “Silicon Ranch.” But those plans have fallen apart due to scandals, litigation and financial mismanagement.
The situation came to light after the building’s tenants, which include a hotel, rooftop bar, restaurant, arts organizations and a local newspaper, were told they must move out by the end of August. The future of the building, which remains Wright’s tallest completed structure, is now in jeopardy, with rumors suggesting the building’s owners, Anthem and Cynthia Blanchard, are looking to sell the property.
Copper Tree Group acquired Price Tower in March 2023 for just $10 from a local nonprofit, committing to paying off the building’s $600,000 debt and investing $10 million in its rehabilitation. However, court documents filed in April showed that HeraSoft, a blockchain solutions company linked to the Blanchards, was financially insolvent and unable to meet its wage payments. In addition, three HeraSoft employees claimed they were pressured to accept shares in Price Tower in lieu of unpaid wages with the promise of selling the building quickly.
To add to the controversy, the Blanchards have begun selling furniture from the Price Tower to 20C Design, a Dallas-based dealer of midcentury design. These sales are prohibited by the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy’s historic preservation agreement, which prohibits the sale of cultural property without a permit. Items sold include a unique rolling signboard, copper relief panels, an armchair, and copper tables and stools, all designed specifically by Wright for the building.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy has taken legal action against Green Copper Holdings, Copper Tree Inc. and Cynthia Blanchard to prevent further sales and protect the building’s historic status. The Conservancy also raised concerns about the preservation of the soon-to-be-vacant building, noting that unoccupied buildings are at higher risk of deterioration and safety issues.
Its future remains uncertain, with Price Tower’s debt estimated at nearly $2 million. The building, which was last renovated in 2003 and declared a National Historic Landmark in 2007, now faces an uncertain fate as those involved navigate ongoing legal and financial challenges.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, is a notable example of the architect’s innovative design principles and his only completed skyscraper. Completed in 1956, the 19-story building was commissioned by Harold C. Price, a local oil and chemical magnate, to serve as the headquarters for his company, the H.C. Price Company. The tower also housed apartments and retail space, reflecting Wright’s “multipurpose” concept of skyscrapers.
Wright designed the Price Tower as a “tree escaping the dense forest,” with its unique cantilevered structure, which he envisioned as branches radiating from a central trunk. The building’s facade features a striking combination of concrete and copper with geometric patterns and a green patina, giving it a striking, organic appearance. Wright’s design emphasized verticality, and the interiors display his signature attention to detail, including custom-designed furniture and fixtures.
Price Tower was one of Wright’s last major projects before his death in 1959. It is considered one of his most original and daring designs. Despite its modest size compared to other skyscrapers, the tower has received considerable architectural acclaim. In 2003, Price Tower was restored and opened to the public as a multi-purpose building that houses an arts center, hotel, and museum. In 2007, it was declared a National Historic Landmark, cementing its status as an architectural masterpiece and a testament to Wright’s visionary approach to design.
Top photo: Wiki Commons Photo: TG Hess
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