$2.5 Million Midcentury Modern Abode With Tragic Ties to Frank Lloyd Wright Hits the Market

An eye-catching midcentury modern abode in Belleville, IL, with an intriguing link to Frank Lloyd Wright recently landed on the market for $2.5 million—some 70 years after the famed architect first laid its foundation.

But while the home’s base was built by Wright, the house itself was actually completed by a different architect after the project took a rather tragic turn.

The home’s original owner, Dr. Charles Bell, worked with the legendary designer—who is known for his many innovative projects, including Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum in New York City—however, he died shortly after the foundations had been laid, bringing the work to a quick halt.

“Wright began the process, and that client passed away mid-construction,” listing agent Jon Shirrell, of Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty tells Realtor.com®.

Wright had put together an entire plan for the house; however, his designs were never brought to life, and the property was instead taken over by architect Charles Erwin King, who created the home that is for sale today.

“The project was stopped at that point,” Shirrell says. “Then it was acquired by King, a noted midcentury modern architect in the St. Louis region. The elements of the final construction significantly reflect more of King’s design choices than Wright’s original plan.”

Should the next owner want to see Wright’s original designs, his plans for the home are actually at the Belleville Historical Society, according to Shirrell.

However historical esteem is this four-bedroom dwelling’s most intriguing attribute.

Views galore

As Wright intended, the design maximizes the views—even from across state lines and the Mississippi River.

“It sits on a bluff and overlooks the St. Louis skyline,” Shirrell says.

With floor-to-ceiling windows throughout and a floating gazebo along with a sunken terrace in the yard, the 5,972-square-foot property seamlessly blends into nature.

“When you walk in, one whole side of the living room is windows, overlooking the pool,” says Shirrell. “When you turn around, the kitchen is half a level lower, not sunken. You don’t [often] see that kind of openness and visibility.”

Other design details include a fireplace in the living room, a walk-in closet, two distinct dining areas, and an open layout for the kitchen, dining area, and living room.

Floating bunk beds in one of the bedrooms were designed to match the floating gazebo. The four bedrooms are en suite.

Room to grow

The stone exterior is also a nod to the surroundings. The acreage offers a mix of pasture and woods with plenty of room for additional buildings, horses, or private development, and currently houses a pole barn.

There’s also a pool and a three-car garage.

Fun fact, the previous owner was professional golfer Bob Goalby—a 1968 Masters champ.

“Part of the land was converted to a few holes of golf while he lived there,” Shirrell says.

Period piece

The sellers are surviving family members of the owners, who bought the showpiece in 1968.

“The mom passed away last year, and now the kids are selling it,” says Shirrell. “Most of the furniture has been there since the ’70s. The bathrooms are pretty much original. It’s very true to the time period. It flows very well.”

Other than updating the kitchen, everything is original.

“It’s move-in ready,” says Shirrell. “There are no functional issues we’re aware of.”

The buyer will likely be an architecture fan, but Shirrell also envisions them as working nearby.

“Sometimes we will get a collector that comes in who is basically buying homes that are interesting and for investment purposes,” Shirrell says. “It could easily be a family home … an executive that works in St. Louis. It’s only 15 minutes away. You can see the Arch from the property. The sunsets with the Arch are just amazing.”