The Price Tower is a 19-story, 221-foot tall skyscraper in Bartlesville, Oklahoma that was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and completed in 1956. The building was originally designed in 1929 as a cluster of apartments for New York City, but that plan didn’t come to fruition. Price wanted to build a building that would be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The tower was designed to be the headquarters of the H.C. Price Company, but it is now used for a variety of purposes, including offices, a museum, a restaurant, and a hotel.
The building divided into quadrants and is made of copper, concrete and glass. Wright referred to it as “the tree that escaped the crowded forest.”
The H.C. Price Company was a family-owned business for many years. H.C. Price passed away in 1962, but his sons, Harold Jr. and Joe, continued to run the company. The company was sold in 1981, but it continues to operate today as a leading provider of pipeline construction and maintenance services.
The H.C. Price Company was also a major force in the development of the oil and gas industry in the United States. The company’s innovative use of electric welding helped to revolutionize the pipeline construction industry, and its work on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System was a major engineering feat. The H.C. Price Company is a proud part of the history of the oil and gas industry in the United States.
Recent events surrounding the Price Tower have cast a shadow over this iconic Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece. The building’s new ownership has faced significant challenges, including financial difficulties and controversy over the sale of valuable artifacts. These developments have raised concerns about the future of the Price Tower and its preservation. The closure of the Inn at the Tower and the displacement of tenants in 2024 have further added to the uncertainty surrounding this architectural gem. As the situation unfolds, there is growing community and national interest in safeguarding the Price Tower’s legacy for future generations.
*Update: Price Tower is scheduled to be sold via an online auction that will take place October 7-9, 2024. The starting bid for this property is $600,000. Learn more at the Ten-X website.
Lodging near Price Tower
Additional Resources, Links & Products
- Price Tower In Bartlesville Closes Due To Financial Struggles, Future Uncertain, Friday, August 9th 2024, By: Kaitlyn Deggs
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Conservancy taking legal action in response to sale of Price Tower items by Bailey Coyle
- View our Price Tower playlist on YouTube