Frank Lloyd Wright’s Only Tennessee Home Hits the Market for the Very First Time: ‘A Masterwork of Usonian Philosophy’

Famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright's only home design in the state of Tennessee has been brought to the market for the first time in its 75-year history, with an asking price of $1.6 million.

The newly listed Usonian in Chattanooga, TN, is described in its listing as a "masterwork" example of Wright's work, having been built in 1952, just seven years before the architect's death. Since then, it has remained under the ownership of the same family, passing through several generations—until now.

Today, the dwelling is known as the Seamour Shavin House in honor of its first owners, Seamor and Gerte Shavin, who commissioned Wright to build them a marital home when they were newlyweds.

Little could they have known that their home, which boasts just over 1,700 square feet of living space, including three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, would go on to become one of the most unique and well-preserved examples of Wright's later works.

"A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own the only residence in Tennessee designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright," crows the listing, which is held by Sandy Poe of Alliance Sotheby's International Realty.

"Perched atop Chattanooga's historic Missionary Ridge, the iconic Shavin House is a masterwork of Wright's celebrated Usonian philosophy, seamlessly blending architecture, nature, and timeless design."

True to Wright’s celebrated Usonians, the design of the ranch-level property was guided by the qualities he wove into all of his designs, including walls of windows, built-in furnishings, a carport, custom wood screens, slanted cantilevered roof, mitered corner windows, floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and clerestory lighting.

Interior stone walls as well as Cherokee red concrete flooring are two other trademarks to Wright’s Usonians that are found with this listing.

The listing also notes there are custom furnishings found throughout the dwelling, such as an origami chair, photographed in the living room. It’s not known whether these are also up for sale, or could be included in the listing price.

Based on the listing photos, it appears that every design detail is intact and nothing was altered or modernized, making this a dream house for a Wright fan.

Set on a .89-acre lot, the positioning of this home is a shining example of Wright’s philosophy about organic architecture, which is that a building should sync with the existing landscape—not detract from it.

In this case, there are views of the Tennessee River and Lookout Mountain not just from outside of the home but while one is in it, too.

Another tenet of Wright’s was to source local materials in order to further connect a house with its environment. For this design, native Tennessee Crab Orchard stone was used, along with Louisiana cypress.

While it’s anyone’s guess who the buyer will be, the listing does provide a hint by referring to this as “a true collector’s piece.” In other words, a person who swoons over architecturally unique homes and scoops them up to host parties or other social events, as a way to not only show them off but also act as their steward.

Wright fans will also recognize the architect’s use of compression and release, where the entry into a room is cramped, with low ceilings, before opening up to a larger space with dramatic heights.

Indeed, as the listing notes, this is a Usonian not like Wright’s others.

“The Shavin House stands as one of the finest examples of Usonian architecture in the country, a rare expression of Wright's commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and organic design,” it reads.

A buyer who likes nature might also be enticed to put in an offer. Surrounding the home are native gardens and ponds designed just for this property, as well as a reflecting pool jutting out from one area of the home.

There’s also a spacious terrace overlooking the hillside that was often used as an outdoor-dining space, seamlessly connecting to the interior dining area, a classic design move by Wright. It’s that attention to the exterior, says the listing, that “reflects a unified architectural vision that has endured for generations.”