Frank Lloyd Wright in Wisconsin: A.D. German Warehouse
The A.D. German Warehouse is an important and threatened architectural treasure by Frank Lloyd Wright in Wisconsin. It is his only building located in his hometown of Richland Center and a rare example of Wright’s Maya Revival style: it is Mr. Wright’s Hometown Masterpiece!
A.D. German Warehouse, View from NortheastFrank Lloyd Wright in Wisconsin
This massive, red brick and concrete building would be impressive in any setting; it is especially so in the small Wisconsin town where Wright was born.
Richland Center, a city of 5,000 nestled between the coulees of the Driftless Area of Southwest Wisconsin, far from the center of an industrial metropolitan area seems at first an unlikely place to find a commercial property designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Designed in 1915 and constructed between 1917 and 1921 for a local commodity wholesaler, Albert Dell German, The A.D. German Warehouse, located on the edge of the commercial district at the corner of Hazeltine and Church streets, juts up four stories, prominently towering above the neighboring properties. This differs a great deal from the conventional horizontal structures of Wright.
Warehouse Annex & Main Building Detail
After changing hands several times throughout the years, the most present owner was a private investor, Harvey Glanzer. Mr. Glanzer passed away in 2011; therefore, the warehouse is now in the hands of the estate. As stated in a recent article written by Jack Holzhueter: “The warehouse is important locally for its social and architectural value, as an exemplar of an important period in Wright’s design development, as an architectural masterwork in and of itself, and as a precursor for work to come.”
The warehouse awaits a buyer who will provide the necessary TLC that will restore it to its national icon representing Frank Lloyd Wrights works.
We will post updates regarding the purchase and restoration efforts of the warehouse as information becomes available. Also, check the other links of the website to find out how you can help in this effort.