Frank Lloyd Wright's Burnham Block Inc. Purchases Wright-designed Home at 2728-30 W. Burnham St. in Milwaukee
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Burnham Block, Inc. is pleased to announce the purchase of the Frank Lloyd Wright designed two-family home at 2728-30 West Burnham Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The home, known as a “Two Flat, Model C” is part of Wright’s American System-Built Homes series. It was built in 1916.
“The purchase of this building continues our commitment to The Burnham Block historic site in Milwaukee. The building has fallen into significant disrepair. It needs an immediate overhaul of its mechanical systems including frozen plumbing. There is a long list of deferred maintenance needs.” said Mike Lilek, President of the Frank Lloyd Wright’s Burnham Block, Inc. “We will begin the urgent repairs immediately. A long-term restoration plan will be announced at a later date. With this purchase, all six Wright buildings on the Burnham Block are now in good hands and will be well cared for. Three of the six buildings are already restored. We are committed to restoring the rest to their 1916 appearance.
The Burnham Block represents Mr. Wright’s broad vision to shelter everyone in a work of art. The homes are pure expressions of Mr. Wright’s genius in merging engineering and technology with art and design to create living spaces filled with natural light, harmony, and comfort. Mr. Wright wanted the homes to connect their occupants with nature, to provide gathering spaces for the family and to be a quiet and serene space to return to at the end of a busy day. The homes are on the National and Wisconsin Register of Historic Places and are part of a historic district in the City of Milwaukee.
The Burnham Block welcomes approximately 5,000 visitors annually to the restored Model B1 at 2714 West Burnham. A visitor center with educational programming for all age groups is planned. Lilek added, “The structural stuff is amazing, but the buildings come alive when docents share their story with guests or when school groups spend the afternoon sketching and experiencing spaces designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.”
Wright in Wisconsin is thrilled by the latest news from Frank Lloyd Wright's Burnham Block. Their purchase of the 2728-30 West Burnham home secures the future of this important block of American System-Built Homes. Our two organizations have a shared history as the forerunner of both groups, Frank Lloyd Wright Wisconsin, purchased and restored the first Burnham property back in 2004. Over a decade later the non-profit Frank Lloyd Wright's Burnham Block was established specifically to oversee and guide the growth of this unique set of properties. Congratulations to FLWBB on this important step!