Hanna-Honeycomb House
Also known as: Paul R. Hanna House
Why it's listed
Set into the brow of a gently sloping hillside on the Stanford University campus, this one-story redwood, brick and glass house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Paul and Jean Hanna in 1935-1936. Construction began in 1937 and continued in four phases over 25 years, adding a hobby shop, guest house, library, master suite, garden house and pools. Its plan rests on a hexagonal grid with a 120-degree angle, which the nomination describes as the first use of that pattern in a building. Wright conceived the whole project at the outset and designed it so non-bearing walls could be unscrewed and rooms reshaped as the family changed. The AIA plaqued it in 1966 as one of seventeen Wright buildings to be retained, and architects and other visitors have studied it since 1937. The Hannas gave it to Stanford in 1974, and the university planned to use it for a visiting professorship.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is the first building designed on a hexagonal geometric pattern, using a 120-degree angle throughout, a pattern since used in hundreds of buildings. Wright also planned it to grow and change with the family. It has been praised by critics, plaqued by the AIA as one of seventeen Wright buildings to be retained, and studied by visitors since 1937.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78000780, listed November 7, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 737 Frenchman's Rd., Palo Alto |
|---|---|
| County | Santa Clara County |
| Listed | November 7, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000780 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Frank Lloyd Wright |
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated June 29, 1989 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described in 1977 as in excellent condition and unaltered on its original site; occupied as a private residence, owned by Stanford University after a 1974 gift. The original copper roof was replaced with Heydite. |
| Acreage | 1.4 |
| Coordinates | 37.41592, -122.16376 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78000780.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5649041
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.