"What was the matter with the kind of house I found on the prairie? Just for a beginning, let’s say that house lied about everything. It had no sense of Unity… My first feeling therefore had been a yearning for simplicity."
When Frank Lloyd Wright penned that critique in his autobiography in 1932, he was challenging the over-ornamented architecture of his era. He believed a true home shouldn't be a collection of disconnected, claustrophobic spaces stuffed with historical mimicry as was commonplace in American architecture at the time with its European derivatives. It needed honesty. It needed a clean, organic simplicity that honored its Midwestern surroundings. Hence, the Prairie School of design was born.
Step inside this 2011-built masterpiece custom-built by KZ Smith Construction and designed by renowned architect R.Lubischer in Denver's beloved Belcaro neighborhood, and you will see that exact yearning for simplicity and architectural truth realized for the modern era. Standing at nearly 10,000 square feet, the residence clearly draws inspiration from Wright's Prairie School philosophy in aesthetic and material.
The home's architectural honesty unfolds the moment you cross the threshold into a breathtaking foyer defined by soaring 14-foot ceilings. In a brilliant salute to the Prairie style’s reverence for raw, natural elements, the flooring is an intricate work of art: rich European walnut wood embellished with striking African Wenge wood inlays. Brick elements throughout further ground the main living spaces.
Rather than succumbing to the predictable white-box minimalism that dominates contemporary architecture today, R.Lubischer masterfully utilized variation in scale and organic transitions to define separate spaces—honoring Wright’s classic concept of creating distinct "rooms within rooms" without sacrificing a sense of flow. Five handcrafted masonry fireplaces anchor the home’s primary gathering spaces, while custom-built cabinetry by the legendary William Ohs provides a flawless, integrated aesthetic throughout.
The main level is "expertly designed for both grand entertaining and intimate everyday living," with "the main level including both formal and informal dining areas and a richly appointed study," enveloped in extensive custom millwork, said listing agent Jennifer Bub. At the center of the main floor sits a bespoke, chef-worthy kitchen anchored by a one-of-a-kind built-in walnut table imported directly from Finland.
Four total bedrooms include a primary suite that functions as a private wing designed for absolute indulgence, featuring dual en-suite bathrooms, private dressing rooms, and an expansive walk-in shower. On the upper level, two additional generously sized bedroom suites feature their own private baths and walk-in closets, ensuring guests enjoy total independence.
True to the core of organic architecture—which demands that the barrier between indoor and outdoor living be entirely stripped away—the lower level features floor-to-ceiling glass windows that frame a striking, vibrant Japanese maple tree. The tree acts as a living piece of art, shifting texturally and tonally with the Colorado seasons. The lower level flows seamlessly from a fireside living area and billiards room to a fully appointed walk-up bar. Tucked just beyond a stately, leather-wrapped lounge is a secured safe room—"currently designed for the firearm enthusiast but easily convertible into a world-class wine cellar."
Adding to its allure, the property is positioned just minutes from the high-end boutiques and acclaimed restaurants of Cherry Creek, yet still feels removed in quiet Belcaro.
View the complete listing by Jennifer Bub of Coldwell Banker Realty in Englwood.
