A Heart-shaped Island Filled With Frank Lloyd Wright Designs Is on Sale

By Talia Avakian
August 14, 2017
Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick
A private, heart-shaped island in New York is now on sale — and it comes with Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes.

Located on the 11-acre naturally-shaped Petra Island, which sits in the center of Lake Mahopac (an hour-and-a-half drive from New York City), the estate comes with a main home and two guest houses designed by the famous architect, as well as luxury features like private docks and a rooftop helipad. If you're commuting by helicopter, it's only a 15-minute ride to Manhattan.

Related: Buy Your Own Island in Scotland for Just $2.3 Milllion

And that's to say nothing of the panoramic lake views.

The entire island (including Wright's light-filled, boulder-clad designs) is now available for a lucky buyer. The listing price is a cool $14,920,000. 
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A Private Oasis

Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick

The 11-acre private island — and the various Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes that come with it — is listed with the real estate agency Chilton & Chadwick.

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Easy Access

Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick

The quiet town of Mahopac is located around 50 miles north of New York City (just 15 minutes away by helicopter). The estate is appropriately equipped with a helipad.

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Architectural Controversy

Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick

The properties on the estate are clouded in a bit of controversy, as they aren't recognized as official Wright works by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. According to the agency, however, they are based on his original designs,

An engineer commissioned Wright to design a home on the island in 1949, but financial concerns didn’t allow for the project. Instead, Wright designed for him a small cottage in the area.

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Wright’s Vision Brought Back to Life

Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick

Some 50 years later, the island’s current owner, John Massaro, wanted to realize Wright’s original designs. He hired architect and Wright historian, Thomas A. Heinz, to work off of Wright’s original plans.

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The Main House

Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick

The main house, called the Massaro House, has four bedrooms, as well as a separate space that can be turned into a charming teahouse.

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A True Lake House

Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick

Each room within the house is designed to maximize the views of the lake and the hills that surround it, according to Chadwick Ciocci, the CEO and founder of Chilton & Chadwick.

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Uninterrupted Lake Views

Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick

"In the living room, for example, you have water on all three sides of you — it's like you're standing directly on a ship," Ciocci told Travel + Leisure.

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Natural Elements

Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick

The property is also built around the island’s natural terrain, with boulders and rock outcroppings often appearing directly in the home.

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Boulder Baking

Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick

Even the kitchen has natural boulders from the island that extend to form part of its countertop area.

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Stony Surroundings

Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick

The main house's bathrooms also feature natural stone elements (like this incredible shower).

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Iconic Elements

Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick

The property includes several of the elements Wright was famous for, including geometric woodworking throughout the rooms and furniture that's built directly into the home.

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Wright's Legacy

Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick

Wright's legacy is honored in the home in other ways, too. His original property designs are on display in the dining room.

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The Guest House

Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick

In addition to the main house, there is also a guest cottage that features a woodworking shop.

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Private Cottage Amenities

Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick

The guest cottage has three bedrooms — and there is also a third contemporary house included in the sale.

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Exploring the Island

Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick

Everything on the island is walking distance from the property, according to Ciocci, meaning you can easily access the island’s small beach and thick forest.

The island is home to some of the oldest trees in the region — some of which date back to the 1600s, Ciocci added.

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A Wild Playground

Courtesy of Chilton & Chadwick

The island is also dotted with hammocks and wild blueberries, and homeowners will have access to an archery range and two docks (there is a small boat to help you get around your private estate).

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By Talia Avakian