Located in scenic Bernardsville, this Frank Lloyd Wright house exemplifies the hallmarks of Wright’s famed Usonian design. The house, having been on the market for two years, has recently lowered its asking price in an effort to attract buyers to the iconic property. Originally asking $2.2 million in 2016, the property has lowered its asking price to $1.45 million.
Named after the man for which it was designed, the James B. Christie House has only had two occupants during its lifetime; Christie himself, who lived there for only five years, and then sold the house to Sultan Amerie — a government official from Iran who has lived in the home for 40 years.
During the second family’s time in the home, they added a master bedroom suite extension, with the help of Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation specialists Tarantino Architects. The design was an original Wright design that was never realized. Additionally, the home was upgraded with a new roof, systems, windows, and bath.
Owning a house by a famous architect comes with a lot of responsibility, but a Frank Lloyd Wright house carries extra weight. Not only is Wright known amongst architects, but he’s a fairly common household name, making him one of the most famous American architects.
Wright was big on the home’s connection to nature, one of the principles of Usonian design. Immersing a home in nature sometimes means the houses are off the beaten path and hard to access, making it less desirable to potential home buyers. Then comes the obvious, the preservation of the home because everyone’s a critic, especially when you own an architectural marvel.
A remarkable home that has been carefully preserved and respectfully lived in by its two previous owners, this home holds a unique opportunity for those interested. It is one of only four Frank Lloyd Wright houses ever built in New Jersey and the largest of those four.
Listing: 190 Jockey Hollow Rd Bernardsville [Weichert Realtors]
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