Graycliff House – Derby, New York - Atlas Obscura
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Graycliff House

Derby, New York

This Frank Lloyd Wright summer house was designed along Lake Erie as a retreat for a client's wife.  

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Back of house closest to road featuring the pond. AmethystDaisies (Atlas Obscura User)
Back of house closest to road featuring the pond. AmethystDaisies (Atlas Obscura User)
Front of the house overlooking Lake Eerie. AmethystDaisies (Atlas Obscura User)
Apartment/Carriage House and portion of the Boiler House. AmethystDaisies (Atlas Obscura User)
View out over Lake Eerie featuring the tower guests used to walk down to the beach. AmethystDaisies (Atlas Obscura User)
Foundation plantings along back of house (ie: road-facing) StephenVincent (Atlas Obscura User)
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After building his spectacular Martin House in Buffalo, New York, Frank Lloyd Wright was commissioned to construct a summer cottage for Darwin Martin’s wife, Isabelle.

Located in Derby, NY along the shores of Lake Erie, the home sprawls over eight acres complete with three structures, a pond, and a tennis court. This prairie house was completed in 1926. Martin died in 1935 and subsequently, the home became Isabelle’s primary residence. The home is filled with signatures of Wright’s architecture, with special little nuances anywhere visitors look. 

Know Before You Go

A large portion of the tour takes place outside so dress for the weather. The hour-long tour does not include the upstairs portion of the apartment above the carriage house. No basement or boiler house access. Local vendors are often set up in the carriage house on the weekends. Seasonal festivals occur as well.

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