A Look Inside Three Frank Lloyd Wright Homes for Sale in Michigan
Owning a Piece of History: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian Homes for Sale in Michigan
In the rolling suburbs of southwest Michigan, a rare opportunity has emerged for architecture enthusiasts and history-minded homebuyers: three Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Usonian homes are currently on the market. Located in the neighboring communities of Galesburg and Kalamazoo, the homes — the Weisblat House, the Eppstein House, and the Winn House — offer a tangible connection to Wright’s mid-century modern design philosophy and his larger vision for American living.
A Vision for Middle-Class America
Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the most influential architects of the 20th century, developed the Usonian home concept in the 1930s as an affordable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing housing solution for the American middle class. These homes were typically single-story L-shaped structures characterized by open floor plans, carports instead of garages, flat roofs with overhangs, and a deep integration with natural surroundings. Materials such as concrete slab floors, wood, and brick were selected for both affordability and beauty.
The Usonian style reflected Wright’s democratic ideals — homes that could be owned and enjoyed by average American families — and served as the building blocks of his ambitious Broadacre City vision, a decentralized, semi-rural development model that sought to reimagine urban life.
A Cooperative Dream Realized
In the mid-1940s, a group of scientists from the Upjohn pharmaceutical company, based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, reached out to Wright seeking his guidance in building a cooperative housing community. They pooled resources and acquired land in nearby Galesburg, launching what would become known as “The Acres.” Wright designed several homes for the community, including the Weisblat and Eppstein Houses, both completed in 1948.
As the commute to Galesburg proved challenging for some, a second cooperative development emerged closer to Upjohn’s headquarters — Parkwyn Village in Kalamazoo — where additional Wright homes were realized, including the Winn House, designed in 1950.
All three of these historic homes — less than 13 miles apart — are now available for sale, offering unique opportunities for those fascinated by Wright’s work.
A Look at the Homes
1. The Eppstein House (Galesburg)
– Price: $2.1 million
– Built: 1948
– Features: Redwood and brick walls, expansive glass windows, original built-ins, and a stunning open-floor layout. Extensive recent restorations ($1 million combined with the neighboring Pratt House) have maintained historical integrity while updating basics like the roofing.
– Fun Fact: Available for rentals on Airbnb, allowing guests the chance to experience life in a Wright home before buying.
2. The Weisblat House (Galesburg)
– Price: $1.95 million
– Built: 1948
– Features: Located in The Acres community and designed with Wright’s vision of integrating home and nature. Rarely listed and preserved in line with Wright’s original intent.
3. The Winn House (Kalamazoo)
– Price: $850,000
– Built: 1950
– Features: Part of Parkwyn Village — a cooperative built with Wright’s full involvement. Significantly more affordable than many properties in major urban centers and benefitting from $800,000 in recent repairs.
Rescuing a Legacy
Though these homes are architectural jewels today, they weren’t always prized. Realtor Fred Taber, representing the listings, noted that the homes languished on the market through the latter half of the 20th century. Poor weatherproofing, including the use of tar and gravel roofing prone to leaking, had left many structures in disrepair. Modern upgrades like waterproof rubber roofing have since rectified these issues, ensuring long-term preservation.
Wright and Community Ideals
Eric Rogers, a spokesperson for the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, emphasized that these homes carry more than aesthetic or historical value: they represent Wright’s holistic philosophy. The Usonian homes were not merely residences but components of a greater vision — encouraging community, cost-accessibility, and harmony with the environment.
The Acres and Parkwyn Village continue to reflect this ideal. Both developments are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with Parkwyn receiving its designation in 2022, solidifying their importance in architectural and social history.
Affordable Icons of Design
Compared to pricier properties in places like Manhattan or San Francisco, these Wright-designed homes remain surprisingly affordable. The Winn House, for instance, is priced comparably to a Brooklyn brownstone but offers a far more unique pedigree and serene, wooded surroundings.
For prospective buyers, these homes are not just real estate — they are statements of lifestyle, legacy, and a chance to literally live inside a work of art.
Experiencing a Wright Home
Even for those not quite ready to purchase, short-term rentals offer a chance to step into Wright