Thursday evening I attended with colleagues from my Houlihan Lawrence Office in Katonah NY the opening of a new exhibit in the Manhattanville College Gallery of Fine Art - “Broadacre City/Usonia: The Ideal Community and The Ideal Suburban Home” The exhibit will be on display until June 19th, 2009. The address is 2900 Purchase Street and the Gallery is in the Richard Berman Student Center.

The purpose was twofold: My long time friend, Johanna Cooper is the curator and is also one of the original owners of an Usonian home. Secondly, in our positions as Associate Real Estate Brokers, it is our “duty” to know the possibilities available to our clients. Should any of them want “Mid-Century” - that is the place to be!

There are several things we learned and of course as Realtors we asked all the usual questions: is it on septic? What is the acreage? Do you need approvals?

In 1945 a 100-acre parcel was purchased by a cooperative of New York City residents who had given Frank Lloyd Wright the opportunity to build his dream community. He had presented this concept to the world in 1935 from Rockefeller Center as Broadacre City.

Each of the 47 homes were given 1.25 acres - not rectangular in shape but as a circle - therefore the empty spaces other than the four points that were not contiguous were green spaces for the community to enjoy and it lessened the probable squabbles between neighbors since it was to be an Utopian Society in many regards. Appraisers/surveyors seem to have a tough time of it, I thought - they must not know their pi formulas!

There was also very little clearing - very natural surroundings and the homes were built into the hillsides and along the existing terrains. Frank Lloyd Wright built the first three houses himself and the remaining 44 were done by other architects but with his approval. There were no attics or basements and most of the furniture was built in - all in the Wright Style. He also employed the use of passive solar energy by the mere site placement that would ensure heat penetration during the day to warm the homes - many years before his time! The homes are on septic but with town water. They have over the years added a community swimming pool and tennis courts.

There will also be a panel discussion on June 6th, 2-4 pm moderated by Johanna Cooper. Panelists include Roland Reisley, resident and author of “Usonia New York, Building a Community with Frank Lloyd Wright.”

If you would be interested in such a home - we are doing our research now to see what is available in this community, so contact me today! KBenvinRansom@HoulihanLawrence.com and/or 914-232-1212 x342

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom