The Winn House.
Photo: Matthew Truman
Step Inside Three Exceptionally Rare Frank Lloyd Wright Homes for Sale in Michigan
Buyers in the market for a midcentury-modern home with architectural pedigree are spoiled for choice with three Usonian-style residences built by the inimitable American architect, all located in neighboring communities
Prolific American architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed more than 530 structures over the course of his career, ranging from schools and museums to churches and offices, but he is most well known for his residential work. More than one third of the buildings he designed are listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
His most influential contributions are the Prairie-style homes of the early 20th century and later Usonian houses, which he developed in the 1930s as a response to the Great Depression. The modest, single-story residences were created as an affordable option for the American middle class that incorporated his long-standing philosophy of organic architecture and the idea that buildings should exist in harmony with the environment.
Living area in the Eppstein House. Photo: Matthew Truman
The Eppstein House has its original Honduran mahogany and concrete flooring.
Now, a rare opportunity has emerged for collectors and architecture devotees, as three Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes are listed for sale in western Michigan, all in communities shaped by his legacy. Two of the homes are located within The Acres, a 70-acre enclave in Galesburg conceived in the 1940s by scientists from Upjohn, a local pharmaceutical company. The group enlisted Wright to conceptualize Usonian-style residences for the site. The community, which was later listed on the National Register in 2004, stands as a preserved pocket of midcentury-modern architectural history.
Situated within The Acres, the Eppstein House was originally designed for Samuel and Dorothy Eppstein in 1948 and was completed in 1950. It’s currently listed for $2.1 million by Fred Taber of Jacqua Realtors. Between 2016 and 2021, it underwent a meticulous five-year restoration and retains its original Honduran mahogany and concrete flooring with updated amenities like climate control and appliances. It also doubles as a high-performing Airbnb, generating nearly $150,000 annually.
The Weisblat home was designed in 1948 and constructed in 1951. Photo: Andy Schwartz - Stylish Detroit
The communal spaces in the Weisblat House are located on one side of the house, while the bedrooms are designated to a separate wing. Photo: Andy Schwartz - Stylish Detroit
The second Wright home for sale in The Acres is the Weisblat House, listed for $1.95 million by Brian Kirksey of Keller Williams. Designed in 1951 for David and Christine Weisblat, the 2,429-square-foot home has two bedrooms, two full baths, and one half bath. The communal spaces, like the living room, dining room, and kitchen, are located on one side of the house, while the bedrooms are designated to a separate wing. Additional spaces were built in 1961 by Wright’s apprentices, including a greenhouse, bath, and gallery. It includes Wright’s signature built-in furniture and a large hearth in the open-plan living space.
Living area in the Winn House. Photo: Matthew Truman
Exterior of the Winn House. Photo: Matthew Truman
Further west in Kalamazoo, the Winn House is another iteration of Wright’s Usonian vision. Completed in 1953 for Robert and Winifred Winn, the 2,469-square-foot home sits on two wooded acres overlooking Little Asylum Lake. With a curved façade and walls of glass that frame the surrounding nature, the home highlights Wright’s ability to blend both form and function. Listed at $850,000, it remains a testament to the architect’s strong impact in the Midwest.
Cover: The Winn House.
Photo: Matthew Truman
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