The other day someone asked me when the 1905 designed Frank Lloyd Wright Boathouse was going to get started. I responded that the project was well underway, and by way of appearance the structure was quickly taking shape. As a matter of fact, when I stopped down to take a look on Saturday there were already people walking around the premise taking photos. The FLW telltale signature designed overhangs cast shadows over the parking lot as the sound of the water permeated the air.
There are a series of construction photos on the Wright Boathouse website to see details of the progress. There is something very serene about the building... it's very unusual to see the modern FLW lines against the picturesque blues of Lake Erie. It's so exciting to see the dreams of a few West Side Rowing Club members becoming a reality. The boathouse was originally researched by President, Ted Marks, who was a FLW enthusiast and felt that the plans deserved a fitting finale on the shores of Lake Erie along the Black Rock Channel.
Since the idea was originally researched in 2000, the 4960 sq.' building continually rises and will soon house the country's largest rowing club (WSRC founded in 1912). The design for the boathouse was, back in 1905, conceived with the prompting of a University if Wisconsin student who yearned to have an original FLW design at their rowing club's disposal. The plans lay dormant for many years until a visionary by the name of Ted Marks put the plans into motion.
"In 1909, Wright traveled to Europe to work on his Wasmuth portfolio. For this portfolio, Wright selected his best works and included the boathouse in his design." - The Waterline
That portfolio eventually ended up in front of many of the top world architects of the time.