Frank Lloyd Wright home featured on Batavia House Walk

Although each of the five homes on the Batavia MainStreet House Walk is special, organizers expect one in particular to be popular — it's a Frank Lloyd Wright home.

The eighth annual house walk, which includes a tea at Water Street Studios, takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28.

It takes a lot of work, and a lot of volunteer hours to put on the house walk — but the end result is worth it, according to Joi Cuartero of Batavia MainStreet.

“We have the House Walk Committee led by a House Walk Chair, which varies from 10-15 people,” Cuartero said. “Then we have about 100 volunteers the day of the event who are docents and house captains. The house captains are at a home and are there for the homeowners and leading the docents. The docents are scheduled at a specific area of the home to talk about the history, features, decor etc. and lead people through the home.”

House walk participants can be assured their donations are going to a good cause.

“It is one of Batavia MainStreet's main fundraisers and goes toward our downtown revitalization efforts,” Cuartero said. “We leverage local assets to promote and preserve the downtown and help with beautification, economic development, special events, and business and property promotions; all with the help of our army of volunteers.”

The different styles of homes on the walk help to “showcase the diversity of Batavia living,” according to Cuartero.

The walk is at your own pace. Visitors may visit any house, in any order, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and can come for the tea at Water Street Studios, 160 S. Water St., anytime during those hours. The tea includes light refreshments, a “goody” bag and a chance to win raffle prizes. Online purchased tickets can be picked up the day of the event on the southwest corner of the Wilson Street bridge.

Tickets are $25 presale and $30 the day of the event, if available. Student tickets are $15 with valid I.D. and are only available presale. Tickets can also be purchased at the Batavia MainStreet office, 4 1/2 W. Wilson St.; K. Hollis Jewelers, 147 S. Randall Road; Sue's Family Hair Co., 139 S. Batavia Ave.; and The Salvaged Heart Vintage Wares, 14 N. Island Ave. For more information, visit downtownbatavia.com.

Featured homes

637 N. Batavia Ave.

Built in 1906, this 14-room stucco and wood home was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright at the height of his Prairie School period. It's a prime example of the distinctive style considered one of his greatest achievements.

Wright is known for seemingly bringing the outdoors in and for horizontal design elements. The low horizontal form of this house seems to grow out of the ground, an effect enhanced by use of earth tone and such natural materials as wood, brick and stucco. The horizontal lines are accentuated by a low-pitched cantilevered roof with huge overhand, uninterrupted cedar trim, and casement windows grouped in horizontal bands. The lines of the floor, trim, brick and windows all reinforce the horizontal.

This was one of the first homes where Wright used cantilever design.

578 McKee St.

This red, all-brick home actually sat empty and neglected for 12 years. Raccoons and other critters actually took up residence in the abandoned structure. The vision and investment by local homebuilder and remodeler Mike Spillane brought it back to life.

The current young owners first saw the house in its original disrepair, prior to gutting. Spillane designed the layout, but the homeowners were able to make this home their own by choosing cabinets, hardware and other finishing touches.

Two arched doorways, complete with original trim, flank the foyer. The large family room houses the original brick wood-burning fireplace. The original wood floors were finished with a dark stain.

The kitchen cleverly mixes industrial chic with touches of whimsy. There is simple-lined, bright white Amish cabinetry, granite countertops and stainless appliances.

Throughout the house, the owners cleverly chose colorful accessories and artwork, which pop against the neutral backdrop of the walls.

1070 Maple Street

This updated colonial, built in 1978, is a wonderful example of what a homeowner can accomplish by remodeling. The current owners purchased this house in 1996 and contemplated moving at one point. When the recession hit they changed their plan and chose to invest in their present home and renovate.

New green clapboard siding and the addition of substantial pillars on the front porch update the exterior. The original windows were also replaced. The inside went through several renovations also.

In 2010, they annexed the dining room to create a larger, open kitchen. They chose to indulge their desire for Arts and Craft design. The owners are currently completing the addition of a three-season room, a two-tiered stone paver patio, a sitting wall and sizable fire pit.

38W221 Tanglewood Drive

This house is the result of a somewhat quickly made purchase decision combined with a vision to see what is possible. Purchased in 1999, the Georgian was in tough shape. Since that time, the family has invested time and money into the many enhancements to accommodate a large family and their active lifestyle.

One of these enhancements is the addition of a two-story great room in 2003. The large addition has two banks of custom windows as well as beamed and wood ceilings. Built-in bookshelves flank the soaring stone fireplace, and several seating areas divide the large space into intimate social circles. A screened porch, also with a stone fireplace, lies beyond the great room.

The backyard features a pool, courtyard, patio, a circular hot tub and a guest/pool house.

335 Elm St.

This is a circa-1900 two-story house. The current homeowners, a young couple, purchased this house from her grandmother's estate. Her mother and nine siblings grew up in the home, which saw several additions and updates.

The owners have always had an interest in refurbishing, which is evident in their home. Her grandfather built two additions, including the garden room which he constructed for her mother's wedding reception. The homeowner's grandfather hauled the limestone for this addition upstairs stone-by-stone.

Even more remarkable is the soaring flagstone fireplace he built, which anchors the great room. It was constructed before he built the surrounding living room.

Last year, the small eat-in kitchen was rehabbed. It features the original casement windows. A light fixture originally in the kitchen and acquired by the homeowner's grandmother was repurposed to the dining room. The set of late 19th century English dining room chairs came from the Geneva home of Col. George Fabyan and were purchased by the homeowner's grandmother about 60 years ago.

There are five bedrooms and two recently updated baths upstairs. Also upstairs is a doorway which leads to a “mother-in-law” apartment.

The backyard has a large brick patio, built by the current owners. The patio includes a fountain build by the owner's grandfather.

Eighth annual Batavia MainStreet House Walk

What: Features five homes and a tea at Water Street Studios

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28

Tickets: $25 presale and $30 the day of the event, if available. Student tickets are $15 with valid I.D. and are only available presale.

Where to purchase: Online at <a href="http://www.downtownbatavia.com">www.downtownbatavia.com</a> (online purchased tickets can be picked up the day of the event on the south west corner of the Wilson Street bridge) or at the Batavia MainStreet office, 4 1/2 W. Wilson St.; K. Hollis Jewelers, 147 S. Randall Road; Sue's Family Hair Co., 139 S. Batavia Ave.; and The Salvaged Heart Vintage Wares, 14 N. Island Ave.

Details: <a href="http://www.downtownbatavia.com">www.downtownbatavia.com</a>.