A Frank Lloyd Wright–designed home in Galesburg, Michigan, known as the Weisblat House is on the market for the second time ever in its 77-year history. Located in the Acres, a residential plat that was laid out by Wright, the home is one of four houses designed by the American architect in the neighborhood. “It is truly a magical experience,” Brian Kirksey, the home’s listing agent, says of being inside the the property.
In 1946, a group of scientist from the Upjohn Company and their families decided to purchase land with the hopes of cooperatively building affordable houses in a rural setting, according to Michigan Modern. The friends purchased a 71-acre site in 1947 about 12 miles east of Kalamazoo and approached Wright about designing the homes. The architect agreed and visited what the group had nicknamed “The Acres” in March of the same year, later drafting plans for 21 homes on round, one-acre plots. However, only five houses were ever built, four of which being Wright’s own creations.
The Weisblat House was the first completed in the Acres, named after its original owners, David and Christine. The architect designed the residence using his “in-line” plan, in which he grouped the shared spaces, such as the living room and dining room on one side of the house and the bedrooms of the other.
Like other Wright-designed homes in the neighborhood, the Weisblat House makes use of the Wright’s concrete textile block system. However, according to Michigan Modern, the architect didn’t send any instructions on how to build this fundamental element of the home, causing confusion. “The family spent many winter evenings figuring out how to make the blocks,” the site explains.
In 1961, the Weisblats added an addition, completed by Taliesin apprentices John Howe and William Wesley Peters, as Wright had passed away two years earlier in 1959. This included a new gallery, bathroom, green house, and utility room.”
