It was, Mr. Sells said, “a deal that seemed almost too good to be true.”

And, in many ways, it was.

Just as Mr. Sells and Mr. Hoffman prepared to close on the deal, preservationists involved in protecting Wright’s legacy reached out to the city, asking that the house be considered for landmark status. Mr. Sells, 50, a technology entrepreneur, said he had no idea of its significance, or of the difference “between Frank Lloyd Wright and the Wright brothers.”

“I grew up in Idaho rodeoing,” he said. “We had no money.”

Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Sells — principals of a company called 8081 Meridian after Meridian High School and their graduation years, 1980 for Mr. Sells and 1981 for Mr. Hoffman — got their demolition permit in August.

By the end of September, though, under pressure from preservationists and perhaps realizing that the owners were serious about razing the house, the city invalidated the permit.