A Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home in Michigan, meticulously restored by its current owners, has been listed for sale at $2.1 million. The residence, known as the Eppstein house, was completed in 1953 and is one of four Usonian homes designed by Wright in The Acres, a cooperative residential community near Kalamazoo spanning approximately 70 acres.
The single-story home reflects Wright’s signature Usonian architectural style, featuring long horizontal lines, broad roof overhangs, and expansive glass that integrates the structure with its wooded surroundings. The property comprises about 2,500 square feet of finished living space, including three bedrooms and two bathrooms, situated on nearly 2 acres of land.
In 2016, Marika Broere and Tony Hillebrandt purchased the home after discovering it online while searching for a modest vacation property. Originally from the Netherlands and residing in Ontario at the time, the couple were not specifically looking for a Wright-designed house or a home in Michigan. Despite the property's poor condition resulting from nearly two decades of vacancy and neglect, they were drawn to its abundant natural light, extensive windows, and harmonious relationship with the landscape.
Broere likened purchasing the home to an unexpected chance at owning a Rembrandt, emphasizing the sense of stewardship they felt. The couple undertook an extensive restoration over 18 months, focusing on preserving the original 1950s Usonian character rather than modernizing or altering floor plans. Their restoration work included replacing the roof, repairing concrete blocks and mahogany woodwork, upgrading electrical and plumbing systems, resolving drainage issues, and adding climate control. A swimming pool, added after the house’s original construction, was removed to adhere to Wright’s original design intentions.
Much of the original interior remains intact, including the floor plan, custom woodwork, built-in features, concrete floors, and radiant floor heating. The house’s concrete blocks were largely handmade by the original owners, Samuel and Dorothy Eppstein. The Acres itself was envisioned in the 1940s by a group of scientists from the Upjohn Company, including the Eppsteins, who sought to create a cooperative residential community. They commissioned Wright to design a master plan with circular home sites and common land to preserve the natural environment, deviating from traditional subdivision layouts.
Four Wright-designed homes were built in the community—the Eppstein, Meyer, Pratt, and Weisblat houses—along with a fifth by Wright protégé Francis Willsey. Broere noted that the house’s architecture becomes particularly visible in winter, while in summer it blends seamlessly into the greenery.
After a decade of ownership, Broere and Hillebrandt decided to sell the property as part of a process of simplifying their lives, recognizing the responsibility of stewardship includes knowing when to pass ownership on. Broere expressed hope that the next owner will continue to preserve Wright’s design legacy, describing their tenure as custodianship rather than conventional ownership.