A Frank Lloyd Wright house in Michigan fell into disrepair before a couple bought and restored it in 2016; the 2,500-sq-ft home on 2 acres now earns about $180,000-$200,000 a year and is listed for $2.1 million
Tucked into a landscape of mature trees, rolling hills and open meadows in Galesburg, Michigan, a Frank Lloyd Wright house seems to disappear into its surroundings rather than sit apart from them. Built more than seven decades ago, the 2,500-square-foot home is now back in the spotlight after a careful restoration, and it comes with an unusual income stream. The Samuel Eppstein House, listed for $2.1 million, is one of just four Wright-designed homes in The Acres, a 70-acre community conceived by the celebrated architect as an intimate experiment in Usonian living, states Realtor’s online report.
A rare Wright community
The Acres is considered the only community composed entirely of Frank Lloyd Wright houses. Wright originally envisioned a larger collection of homes, but only four were ultimately built. The Eppstein House was completed in 1953 for Samuel and Dorothy Eppstein, scientists at pharmaceutical company Upjohn. The couple worked closely with Wright and even made modifications to aspects of his original design. They also cast some of the concrete blocks used in the house themselves, adds the report. Concrete-block construction, extensive windows and a close relationship with the landscape are hallmarks of the home. Rather than separating the interiors from the outdoors, the design continually draws the surrounding landscape into view.
Restored without losing its character
The house eventually fell into disrepair before Marika Broere and Tony Hillebrandt purchased it in 2016. The couple undertook a restoration that brought the property back into usable condition while retaining its original architectural character. Modern additions included air conditioning, while some interior spaces were reworked for contemporary living. Two bedrooms were combined into one larger primary bedroom, and the main bathroom received an updated, more spacious shower. The result is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home that retains its mid-century character. Wood surfaces, expansive windows and distinctive red concrete floors remain central to the interiors, with much of the existing furniture included in the sale.
Two acres inside a 70-acre landscape
The property occupies two acres within The Acres’ larger shared landscape. Mature trees, meadows and gently rolling terrain surround the four Wright homes, creating a setting where the architecture and natural environment are closely intertwined, adds the Realtor report.The home’s layout reinforces that connection. Windows are positioned throughout the living areas, offering changing views of the landscape and allowing daylight to shape the interiors. For buyers interested in architectural history, the setting is as significant as the structure itself. The property offers the chance to live inside one of Wright’s planned communities while remaining immersed in the landscape that shaped its design, informs the report.
A home that doubles as a business
Beyond its architectural appeal, the Eppstein House has also become a substantial short-term rental. Its current owners have spent roughly half the year using the property themselves and rented it during the remainder. That arrangement has generated approximately $180,000 to $200,000 in annual income. Guests have traveled from across the United States and internationally to stay at the property, while the house has also been used for corporate retreats and photo shoots.Now listed for $2.1 million, the Eppstein House offers a rare combination of a restored piece of Frank Lloyd Wright history, two acres of Michigan landscape and an established rental business, all wrapped into one unusually distinctive property.Images Courtesy: Wikipedia and Realtor
