Tax Credit Program Highlight: L.T. Wright House

San Antonio, Bexar County

1917

Designation	Individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Historic Use	Single family home
Current Use	Office
Total Rehabilitation Cost	$115,235
Qualified Rehabilitation Expenses	$115,235
Date Certified	March 8, 2016
	Certified for state tax credits only.

History

Constructed in 1917, the L.T. Wright house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as “the finest example of early Wrightian architecture in the state of Texas.” This Prairie School style home was designed in 1913 by George Willis, noted San Antonio architect, while he was working at the office of Atlee B. Ayres. The L.T. Wright house reflects an influence in design from Willis’ work as a draftsman for Frank Lloyd Wright (no relation to L.T.) in Chicago between 1901 and 1905. Between 1917 and 1920, artist Fred Donecker and his sons completed the interior stenciling and freehand painting depicting local San Antonio landscapes and scenes.

Rehabilitation Project

The current owner houses his architectural firm in the building, and has been completing ongoing rehabilitation work at the property for over 25 years, with the goal of restoring and maintaining the house’s original character. Much of the necessary work has included removal of later partitions and alterations associated with a 20th century conversion into individual apartment units. This state-only tax credit project consists solely of the replacement of the building’s character-defining hipped shingle roof, which represents a new installment of these long-term rehabilitation efforts. The failing wood shingle roof was completely replaced, including repair and reinforcement of the rafters and replacement of the decking. The high quality finish materials will stand the test of time, including wood shakes and solid copper gutters and downspouts.