Interested in a historic Frank Lloyd Wright house? One is for sale in South Bend for $750k

SOUTH BEND — There are a number of grand mansions that were built by the area’s business tycoons that still exist today, but there are very few that match the architectural significance of the relatively modest two-story house at 715 W. Washington Street. 

That brown-and-tan home — known as the DeRhodes House — is one of two in South Bend and among seven remaining in Indiana designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. 

And it’s now being offered for sale for the first time in more than 40 years with an asking price of $750,000 but could easily go higher. Where else can you purchase a piece of art that you can live in?

A look back: Two homes in South Bend designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

“I think it will attract interest from all across the country,” said Beau Dunfee, managing broker with South Bend-based Weichert Realtors – Jim Dunfee & Associates in South Bend. “I’m expecting calls from all over the place.” 

The house was purchased in 1978 by Tom and Suzanne Miller, long-time faculty and administrators at Indiana University South Bend who had a passion for the iconic American architect. In fact, Tom wrote his doctoral dissertation on Wright’s influence on theater scenery and design. 

And with help from Indiana Landmarks Foundation and Southhold Heritage Foundation — a predecessor to South Bend Heritage Foundation — the two were able to acquire the property and then embark upon a restoration that would take more than four decades to complete. 

The home was designed by Wright in 1906 for K.C. DeRhodes, a banker and owner of the first Ford dealership in South Bend, and remained in the family until the death of Mrs. DeRhodes in 1952. The home was left to First United Methodist Church to use as a parsonage, but it was sold a couple of years later to a fraternal organization for use as a clubhouse. 

At that point, an enormous number of changes were made to the property to suit the needs of the club. Built-ins, fixtures and room dividers were removed, a 10-foot brick fireplace was covered, oak was painted over, a floor was extended over a portion of the reception room at the entrance to the home and a fire escape was added onto the second floor. 

Originally built for $7,000, the Millers purchased the house for $67,000 but estimated it would take another $150,000 to restore the property to its original state with the couple doing much of the carpentry work with a set of original blueprints found in the attic as their guide, according to Tribune archives. 

"We're lucky because we have a complete set of Wright's original plans for the house, including drawing for the original furnishings and one or two photos that were reasonably complete pictures of the interior," Tom Miller said after purchasing the home.

Though there are seven remaining Wright-designed homes in Indiana — including the Mossberg house at 1404 Ridgedale Road — the DeRhodes property is the only example of Wright’s pioneering work in the Prairie-style movement, which emphasized horizontal lines, overhanging eaves and open floor plans, among other things. 

While making use of the drawings, the Millers also visited other Prairie-style homes designed by the architect and relied on expert advice from the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy to recreate other missing pieces. 

All of the art glass windows were refurbished, fixtures and cabinets were recreated and paint was meticulously matched with the original colors. A couple of pieces of furniture that were designed by the architect for the home were located and purchased and other pieces were recreated. 

After Tom Miller died in 2018, Suzanne devoted the remainder of her life completing the 2,900-square-foot home until she died in May. Because of their lifetime of effort restoring the home, the couple will be officially honored posthumously in October with the “Wright Spirit Award."

The award recognizes the efforts of "extraordinary individuals and organizations that have preserved the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright through their tireless dedication and persistent efforts," according to the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy.

“They devoted their lives to the preservation of this home,” said David Relos, who is the personal representative for Suzanne’s estate. “If they hadn’t stepped in, it’s uncertain whether this would be the architectural treasure that it is today.” 

It's even possible that South Bend might have lost one of its gems, said Relos.

While many of the homes in the West Washington Historic District seem to scream for attention, the Frank Lloyd Wright home seems to become one with its surrounding landscape of mature trees and some massive boulders out in front.

Inside, the visitor’s eye is drawn to the design and symmetry of the home, and yet it still provides a cozy warmth because of its colors, its many windows, its use of oak and its openness. 

“We’re hoping to find a family that shares the same passion for Wright’s work and will treasure it for the architectural beauty it is,” said Dunfee. "The Millers were enthusiasts and poured their whole heart and soul into it."

Located in the West Washington Historic District, the home includes five bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, hot water heat, two terraces, a full basement and a two-car garage on an oversized city lot. Because of the historic nature of the house, there are restrictions on what can be done to the house, but an air-conditioning system could be added, Dunfee said.