Max Hoffman House
Encyclopedia
Max Hoffman House is a Frank Lloyd Wright
designed house in Rye
, New York
. In 1954, European automobile importer Max Hoffman
commissioned Wright to design a showroom for his Jaguar dealership
at 430 Park Avenue
in New York City
. The following year, Wright designed a single-story L-shaped home for the Hoffmans on North Manursing Island. This large waterfront house and garden overlooks Long Island Sound
. Constructed of stone, plaster, and slate roof, with a copper-trimmed fascia
, the home features a Japanese-style garden
designed by Stephen Morrell, curator of the John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden
in Locust Valley
, New York
. In 1972 Taliesin Associated Architects
built an additional wing to the north.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect, interior designer, writer and educator, who designed more than 1,000 structures and completed 500 works. Wright believed in designing structures which were in harmony with humanity and its environment, a philosophy he called organic architecture...
designed house in Rye
Rye (city), New York
Rye is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is separate from the town of Rye, which is larger than the city. Rye city, formerly the village of Rye, was part of the town until 1942, when it received its charter as a city, the most recent to be issued in New York...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. In 1954, European automobile importer Max Hoffman
Max Hoffman
Max Hoffman, , was an Austrian-born importer of automobiles into the United States during the 1950s. Doing business among gentlemen who knew one another well, he was known for his handshake deals that always were upheld without a written contract...
commissioned Wright to design a showroom for his Jaguar dealership
Hoffman Auto Showroom
The Hoffman Auto Showroom is a New York City automobile dealership office designed in 1954 by the celebrated U.S. architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The space, which is located on the ground floor of an office tower at Park Avenue and East 56th Street, was designed in glass and steel with a circular...
at 430 Park Avenue
Park Avenue (Manhattan)
Park Avenue is a wide boulevard that carries north and southbound traffic in New York City borough of Manhattan. Through most of its length, it runs parallel to Madison Avenue to the west and Lexington Avenue to the east....
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The following year, Wright designed a single-story L-shaped home for the Hoffmans on North Manursing Island. This large waterfront house and garden overlooks Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound
Long Island Sound is an estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, located in the United States between Connecticut to the north and Long Island, New York to the south. The mouth of the Connecticut River at Old Saybrook, Connecticut, empties into the sound. On its western end the sound is bounded by the Bronx...
. Constructed of stone, plaster, and slate roof, with a copper-trimmed fascia
Fascia (architecture)
Fascia is a term used in architecture to refer to a frieze or band running horizontally and situated vertically under the roof edge or which forms the outer surface of a cornice and is visible to an outside observer...
, the home features a Japanese-style garden
Japanese garden
, that is, gardens in traditional Japanese style, can be found at private homes, in neighborhood or city parks, and at historical landmarks such as Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines and old castles....
designed by Stephen Morrell, curator of the John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden
John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden
The John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden is a Japanese garden in Mill Neck, New York, providing a retreat for passive recreation and contemplation....
in Locust Valley
Locust Valley, New York
Locust Valley is a hamlet located in Nassau County, New York. Locust Valley is an unincorporated area of the Town of Oyster Bay...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. In 1972 Taliesin Associated Architects
Taliesin Associated Architects
Taliesin Associated Architects is an architectural firm founded by Frank Lloyd Wright to carry on his architectural vision after his death. It was headquartered at Taliesin West and had up to 14 principals who had all worked under Wright. One of their first major projects was Rocky Mountain...
built an additional wing to the north.
Ownership History
- 1993–Present Tom & Alice Tisch (son and daughter-in-law of Laurence TischLaurence TischLaurence Alan "Larry" Tisch was an American businessman, Wall Street investor and self-made billionaire. He was the CEO of CBS television network from 1986 to 1995...
) purchase the house - 1972-1993 Emily Fisher Landau buys the house.
- 1955-1972 House is completed by Max HoffmanMax HoffmanMax Hoffman, , was an Austrian-born importer of automobiles into the United States during the 1950s. Doing business among gentlemen who knew one another well, he was known for his handshake deals that always were upheld without a written contract...
.