Massaro House, Chahroudi Cottage, Chilton & Chadwick Real Estate USA, Modern luxury NY home photos

New York Island Houses inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright

Exclusive Frank Lloyd Wright Island Houses on Lake Mahopac in New York State, USA

post updated March 16, 2024

Design: Thomas Heinz ; Frank Lloyd Wright Architect

Chahroudi Cottage – designed by FLW
Date built: 1951-53

Massaro House – inspired by FLW never-built project design
Date built: 2007

A Private Island on Lake Mahopac and Two Distinguished Houses For Sale

In November 2012 the property was listed for sale at $20 million USD, but since then the price has slipped a number of times.

In 2019 this has now been reduced to $12.9 million.

Petra Island Homes by Architect Frank Lloyd Wright

New York island house by Frank Lloyd Wright architect
Lake Mahopac property photo Courtesy Chilton & Chadwick

Feb 10, 2019

Petra Island Houses by Frank Lloyd Wright

Accessible only by boat or aircraft, the 11-acre Petra Island on Lake Mahopac, along with a guest house designed and built by the late US architect as well as a residence (Massaro House) inspired by a design by Frank Lloyd Wright, went on the market for $15 million in August 2017.

Petra Island is a private island located 50 miles north of New York City. Its two properties are listed by international luxury real estate agency Chilton & Chadwick in 2017 for just under $15 million.

Due to a running dispute with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and subsequent out-of-court settlement the home can only be described as being “inspired by Wright” rather than a faithfully rendered, certified Wright design.

New York Island House by Frank Lloyd Wright | www.e-architect.com
Petra Island real estate photo Courtesy Chilton & Chadwick

Petra Island Houses History

In 1949 an engineer called Ahmed Chahroudi purchased the island and commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright (FLW) to design a single-family residence for him and his family. FLW initially sketched a 5,000-sqft residence, and estimated that it would cost $50,000.

Chahroudi, who could not afford the price tag, negotiated a smaller 1,200-sqft house instead. Wright then designed and built a three-bedroom, one-bath cottage between 1951 and 1953—known as the Chahroudi Cottage.

Petra Island house by Frank Lloyd Wright | www.e-architect.com
photo Courtesy Chilton & Chadwick

Although Wright never built his initial design for the island’s main residence a similar house did come into existence 48 years after the architect’s death. In 1996, sheet metal contractor Joseph Massaro and his wife Barbara purchased the island, which came with the Chahroudi Cottage as well as the five original drawings by Frank Lloyd Wright of the unbuilt larger residence, including a floor plan, a section, and three elevations.

Petra Island house interior by Frank Lloyd Wright | www.e-architect.com
photo Courtesy Chilton & Chadwick

Massaro decided to build the main residence from FLW’s drawings. Since Massaro could not afford construction supervision charges proposed by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, he commissioned architect and Frank Lloyd Wright historian Thomas Heinz to oversee the construction.

Petra Island home by Frank Lloyd Wright | www.e-architect.com
photo Courtesy Chilton & Chadwick

After four years, the Massaro House was completed in 2007. It has four bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms.

The Massaro House has received criticism over details and aesthetic characteristics of the residence. FLW was known for an evolution of the design during construction and obviously that couldn’t happen with this property.

New York Island Houses by architect Frank Lloyd Wright | www.e-architect.com
photo Courtesy Chilton & Chadwick

The design of the main residence was site-specific, incorporating a rock formation (like he did at Fallingwater, PA) into the main entrance foyer, kitchen, and one of the bathrooms.

Petra Island house interior by Frank Lloyd Wright architect | www.e-architect.com
photo Courtesy Chilton & Chadwick

The house features a cantilevered deck over Lake Mahopac, and a rooftop helipad. Twenty-six triangular skylight windows create a light-filled interior. The house is furnished mostly with Wright-designed furniture, including built-in pieces.

Frank Lloyd Wright Architect

Houses

Location: Petra Island, Lake Mahopac, New York State, USA

Aug 5, 2021
Massaro House, Lake Mahopac, New York State, USA
Design: Lazor Office
Massaro House Lake Mahopac NY
photo : Courtesy of Douglas Elliman
Massaro House Lake Mahopac

Comments on this Petra Island Houses by architect Frank Lloyd Wright page are welcome

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photo © Jessica Lamirand, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
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1935
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picture : Simon Garcia | arqfoto.com
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photograph : Wikimedia Commons
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Comments / photos for the Petra Island Houses by Frank Lloyd Wright on Lake Mahopac, NY, USA, page welcome.

Website: Petra Island New York State, USA