Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Graycliff
Located just 25 minutes south of Buffalo by car, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Graycliff sits on a bluff along the Lake Erie shore in a small town called Derby, NY. The organic style architecture accents the beautiful surroundings of old trees, steep cliffs, and open water as far as the eye can see.
Sunsets from Graycliff are especially spectacular since the sun sets over Lake Erie. Beautiful light fills the entire estate and it becomes very clear why this was such a desirable destination for Frank Lloyd Wright to build a vacation home.
The History of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Graycliff
Frank Lloyd Wright designed Graycliff in 1926 for Darwin D. Martin, a prominent Buffalo businessman, and his wife Isabelle. Construction started in 1926 and the project was completed in 1931.
Darwin Martin had previously commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to build his family home, the Darwin Martin House, on Jewett Parkway in the Parkside neighborhood of Buffalo (about 20 miles north of Graycliff) over two decades before.
After the completion of the Martin House, Darwin Martin wanted a summer home for his wife Isabelle, and thus Graycliff came into existence.
Graycliff sits atop a 60 foot cliff on the edge of Lake Erie and was a refuge for Isabelle Martin. It was a very important and frequented place to her, even many years after her husband passed away as she continued to Summer on the property until 1943.
In 1950, Graycliff became home to a group of Piarist Fathers, a Hungarian order that adapted the site as a school for underprivileged youth and hub for Hungarian culture. The Fathers altered Wright’s original design and built more structures on the property.
The only structure built by the Fathers that still remains is their former gymnasium, which was converted into Graycliff Conservancy’s current Visitor Pavilion. The property was occupied by the Piarist Fathers until 1997, when they helped to ensure that the property was passed into the hands of the Graycliff Conservancy.
For a full timeline on Graycliff’s history, click here.
Classic Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture
The central part of the home has large glass windows on each side so you can see the lake from the other side of the house by simply looking through it. The waterfall and pond feature was designed to give the illusion of the lake continuing through the house and into the estate itself.
The long and narrow design allowed for the maximum amount of windows and terraces to be facing the lake. It also lets the cool lake air sweep straight through the house when the windows are open.
The fern room was designed so that the summer sun sets directly through those windows, offering a spectacular view of the sunset. It's not surprising that this home is often referred to as “The Jewel on the Lake.”
Restoring A Frank Lloyd Wright Masterpiece
The Graycliff Conservancy was founded in 1997 with the specific mission to acquire, preserve, and restore Graycliff. What started as a citizen driven movement to acquire and save the property turned into a successful campaign to restore the 8.5 acre site.
As is the case with most historic Frank Lloyd Wright homes, more support is always needed to continue to preserve it. You can contribute by becoming a member, donating, or taking a tour.
The property is open to visitors and offers programming that includes private and self-guided tours. You will regularly find groups of people touring the estate and marveling at the lakeside views.
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