Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian Eppstein House Hits Market at $2.1M
1953 concrete-block home with cantilevered roof restored after decades of neglect
1Wright's collaborative design process
The Eppstein House showcases Frank Lloyd Wright's rare collaborative approach with clients. Research scientists Samuel and Dorothy Eppstein actively participated in construction, fabricating some of the 3,000 concrete blocks. They successfully negotiated design changes, including larger children's bedrooms and a kitchen window. Dorothy's background as a WWII Women Airforce Service Pilot and the couple's scientific mindset likely contributed to their hands-on involvement in realizing Wright's vision.
2Usonian architectural features
Completed in 1953, the low-slung residence exemplifies Wright's Usonian principles with its cantilevered roof, Cherokee red concrete floors, and mahogany-framed glazing. The 2,500 sq ft home features radiant heating embedded in concrete floors and built-in furniture. Its horizontal emphasis connects interior spaces to the wooded landscape through expansive glass walls. The design maintains compact proportions typical of Wright's affordable housing concept while incorporating custom elements for the Upjohn scientist owners.
3The Acres community context
Wright planned The Acres as a 70-acre community for Upjohn scientists near Kalamazoo, though only four of the intended 21 homes were built. The Eppstein House occupies a two-acre site within this larger plan, featuring circular homesites surrounded by shared open land. This experimental community reflects Wright's vision for harmonious living between architecture and nature, with the current listing highlighting the property's dual value as both a residence and preserved architectural landmark.
4Material craftsmanship details
The house showcases Wright's material mastery through hand-cast concrete block walls, mahogany window/door frames, and signature Cherokee red concrete floors. These materials create a cohesive aesthetic while serving functional purposes - the concrete provides thermal mass, the mahogany frames views, and the radiant floor heating integrates seamlessly. The current restoration preserved these original material treatments alongside Wright-designed woodwork that remained with the house through ownership changes.
5Recent restoration efforts
After years of deterioration, Marika Broere and Tony Hillebrandt acquired the property in 2016 and completed an extensive restoration by 2017. Their work addressed critical systems including roof repairs and building infrastructure while carefully preserving original features like the concrete floors and Wright-designed woodwork. This meticulous restoration returned the home to market-worthy condition while maintaining its architectural integrity, justifying the current $2.1 million asking price through Signature Sotheby's International Realty.
6Current market positioning
Listed at $2.1 million, the Eppstein House represents a rare opportunity to own a fully restored Wright Usonian design with documented historical significance. Its value derives from both architectural merit and provenance - including the original owners' construction participation and subsequent preservation. The property appeals to architecture collectors and Wright enthusiasts, with its pricing reflecting the premium for authenticated, museum-quality midcentury modernist homes in the current market.
7Spatial organization
The house employs an in-line plan that maximizes its modest 2,500 sq ft footprint, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms arranged for efficient living. Built-in furniture and custom Wright-designed pieces create integrated living spaces that blur boundaries between architecture and furnishings. The layout demonstrates Wright's Usonian philosophy of compact yet dignified spaces that open dramatically to the outdoors through strategic glazing placements along the low horizontal structure.
8Architectural legacy
As one of only four realized homes in Wright's planned Upjohn scientist community, the Eppstein House represents both a completed Usonian specimen and an unrealized communal vision. Its current listing offers insight into Wright's late-career experimentation with affordable housing prototypes and client collaboration. The home's preservation ensures future generations can study Wright's material innovations and spatial concepts that continue influencing residential architecture today.