The Arizona Biltmore Hotel is one of those Points of Pride in Phoenix that I mentioned yesterday. It has long been associated with the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright but, in fact it was designed by Albert Chase McArthur. How it got associated with Wright is a complicated story. You see, McArthur requested permission from Wright to use a type of "textile block slab construction" technique that Wright had invented so Wright joined the project. McArthur was under the impression that Wright owned the patent to the technique and found out that there was no patent inspite of the fact that Wright was paid $10,000.00 for the rights to it. As you can imagine, the relationship between the two men soured and Wright left the project after being there for only five months.
In spite of that history, Wright still gets associated with the hotel's design and many FLW designed accessories can be found all over the hotel.
You might notice in my original post that those topiary, letter-shaped plants along the front of the hotel were much more clearly defined ten years ago.
10 comments:
Money people always fall out over it
I agree with Bill, money rules the world.
I didn't even notice the topiary in the new pic. It isn't as well maintained as it was 10 years ago. ;-)
It has a kind of Art Deco look to it that I like. The old landscape looked nicer but I'm sure it was hard to keep up.
what an interesting story! And I just wonder how that misconception came about, she side-eyed.
I like this angle a bit better Sharon.. oh la! A fallout between architects hey! Is there a bit of Art Deco to this one?
I like your take on it!
It's too bad that money ruined a relationship, the list goes on. I like your newer version of the photo.
Wright was very talented but like many talented people he could be an arrogant beast. Paolo Soleri was another one like him in temperament. I know this from a personal experience with him.
It definitely LOOKS very Wrightian. I guess it's fair to say he inspired the project, at the very least!
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