With no competing bids submitted by the April 28 deadline, a federal bankruptcy court is moving forward with the $1.4 million sale of Bartlesville’s historic Price Tower to McFarlin Building LLC.
The deal, first outlined in court filings earlier this month, was confirmed in a motion filed Monday by Chapter 7 Trustee Patrick J. Malloy III. Despite notice being sent to more than 900 potential bidders, no counteroffers or objections were received by the deadline.
Often called “the tree that escaped the crowded forest,” the Price Tower remains one of Oklahoma’s architectural crown jewels — a 19-story tower of copper and cantilevers designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the only skyscraper he ever realized.
The transaction includes both the Price Tower building and its remaining personal property. The sale was deemed fair and equitable by the trustee, who also requested a waiver of the standard 14-day stay to expedite closing. According to the filing, the property remains without power, insurance, or utilities and has standing water in parts of the building — raising concerns about further damage or devaluation if the deal were delayed.
McFarlin didn’t respond to the request to comment by the time of publication.
Former owner’s fall casts long shadow over Bartlesville
The sale marks a conclusion to what has been a public unraveling of Price Tower’s ownership under Cynthia Blanchard.
Blanchard did not respond to requests for comment made by the Examiner-Enterprise since the summer of 2024.
Blanchard acquired the Price Tower after years of financial struggles under a local nonprofitwith a stated plan to invest $10 million. Blanchard instead presided over a period of further instability, unpaid bills and the sale of museum artifactsall of which ultimately ended with the company filing for bankruptcy.
The bankruptcy handed control of the building over to the court, setting the stage for this week’s no-contest sale.
What’s next for Price Tower?
As of Tuesday, McFarlin Building LLC had not made any public statements about its intentions for the 19-story landmark.
The Price Tower’s future will also be shaped by preservation law. The building is protected by a conservation easement held by the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, which limits what can be changed, removed, or altered. That means no renovations or flashy redesigns—any updates must preserve the architectural integrity of the building.
The Conservancy said it has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with McFarlin to ensure the easement is honored.
“Price Tower needs a new owner who understands the building, has the financial means and patience to care for it properly and will partner with us in honoring our preservation easement,” the Conservancy said.
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