Frank Lloyd Wright's Iconic Tirranna Home In Connecticut Sells For $6 Million

Architects: Frank Lloyd Wright
Area: 7,800 ft²
Year: 1955
Photography: Udor Photography
City: New Canaan
Country: United States

A 1950s Connecticut home designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright has sold for $6 million. Known as “Tirranna,” an Aboriginal Australian term meaning “running waters,” the property is located at 432 Frogtown Road in New Canaan. With over 7,800 square feet of living space and 14 acres of lush grounds, Tirranna is one of the largest private residences completed by Wright. The horseshoe-shaped home cantilevers over a pond and waterfall, epitomize Wright’s organic architectural style.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Iconic Tirranna Home in Connecticut Sells for $6 Million

Originally designed in 1955, Tirranna features many of Wright’s signature design elements, including Philippine mahogany paneling, Cherokee red concrete floors, concrete-block walls, built-in bookshelves, and expansive windows that offer views of the natural landscape. Wright stayed at the property during its construction while working on the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. After Wright’s passing in 1959, its second owner, Herman R. Shepherd, completed the home.

The estate includes seven bedrooms and eight-and-a-half bathrooms, with the bedrooms located in a separate wing, accessible via a 200-foot-long covered walkway. Public spaces like the living and dining rooms are defined by open floor plans and high ceilings, offering a blend of spaciousness and intimacy. The home also boasts a guest suite, an attached greenhouse, a five-car garage, a barn, a heated pool, a tennis court, and a rooftop observatory equipped with a telescope.

The grounds were meticulously landscaped by horticulturist and bonsai specialist Frank Okamura, who also worked at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for nearly 40 years. The estate’s serene gardens and oval-shaped terrace reflect Wright’s dedication to integrating architecture with its natural surroundings.

Tirranna was listed for $8 million in May 2023 by Coldwell banker Realty agents Marsha Charles and Albert Safdie. While the home ultimately sold for $2 million under the asking price, Safdie noted that it garnered significant interest, with several offers being carefully vetted. The sale, completed last week, marks one of the highest prices for a Wright-designed property.

The new owners, a family from Brooklyn who are described as avid fans of Wright’s work, plan to move into the guest house immediately to oversee a multi-million-dollar renovation of the property. Safdie remarked that the buyers were well-prepared and thoroughly informed about the home before purchasing it.

The property last sold in 2018 for $4.8 million. Its previous owners, Ted and Vada Stanley, founders of the Danbury Mint, lived in the residence for many years. Now, under new ownership, Tirranna is set to undergo extensive renovations that will preserve its architectural significance while restoring its unique features.

portrait famed architect frank lloyd 75471908 — Portrait of Architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1954. Courtesy of The Library of Congress.

Reflecting on the home’s design, Safdie described Tirranna as having “an otherworldly feel,” with light and shadows creating a symphony of movement throughout the space. Wright’s design, much like a sundial, follows the sun, enhancing the connection between the home and its natural environment.