Dezeen Magazine

Petra Island by Frank Lloyd Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright-designed private island on sale for $14.9 million

A private island located 47 miles north of New York City and complete with a home conceived by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright is currently on the market.

Petra Island by Frank Lloyd Wright

Yours for $14.92 million (£11.6 million), the heart-shaped Petra Island sits in the middle of Lake Mahopac – just 15 minutes from Manhattan by helicopter. On its western edge is a house that was built to the late modernist architect's final drawings during the 2000s.

Petra Island by Frank Lloyd Wright

The seven-bedroom residence formed part of a masterplan that Wright laid out for the 11-acre (4.5-hectare) island in 1950. But only a 1,200 square-foot cottage was built at the time, as the client could not afford the construction.

Petra Island by Frank Lloyd Wright

Now complete, the larger building is anchored by a series of stone pillars, supporting thick horizontal planes – reminiscent of Wright's Fallingwater house – that extend out over the lake from the rocky shore.

Petra Island by Frank Lloyd Wright

Large windows wrap around the majority of the home's exterior, while even more light is brought into its centre by a triangular-latticed skylight. The site's stone outcrops are incorporated into the interior, which is lined with large expanses of cement and mahogany.

Petra Island by Frank Lloyd Wright

A helicopter pad on the roof allows for quick trips to and from the city. Named the Massaro House after the owner who finally realised the project, it comes as part of the sale of the island – which has been up for grabs several times and for various price tags.

Petra Island by Frank Lloyd Wright

It remains an unofficial Wright house, as the foundation that oversees the architect's estate has refused to certify it, and even sued Massaro over its authenticity.

Petra Island by Frank Lloyd Wright

Wright has remained one of architecture's best-recognised names ever since his death in 1959. However, this year saw a renewed surge of interest in his work as part of celebrations for the 150th anniversary of his birth. These included a series of events at the architect's projects across the US, and a major exhibition of his drawings and models at New York's MoMA.

Petra Island by Frank Lloyd Wright

Dezeen marked the occasion by looking back at Wright's most pioneering works, including the Guggenheim museum, Unity Temple and Johnston Wax Headquarters.

Photography is by Chilton and Chadwick.