Sale pending on Historic Frank Lloyd Wright home in South Bend to retired Notre Dame prof

SOUTH BEND — A former Notre Dame law professor and U.S. ambassador to Malta appears destined to become the next owner of the historic Frank Lloyd Wright home at 715 W. Washington Street. 

Douglas W. Kmiec, who taught at Notre Dame for 20 years, was the winning bidder on the two-story home that was designed by the iconic architect for the DeRhodes family in 1906, and painstakingly restored by Tom and Suzanne Miller, professors and administrators at Indiana University South Bend, over more than four decades. 

The brown-and-tan home was listed for sale a couple of weeks ago for $750,000 following the death of Suzanne Miller earlier this year. Kmiec said he offered about $800,000. 

Closing is set for Oct. 1. 

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Kmeic, 70, decided to return to South Bend about a year ago after retiring from Pepperdine University because of the friendships and bonds he made while living here. "It's where I spent the bulk of my career," he said. 

He became interested in buying the DeRhodes House after seeing the article and photos in The Tribune about the historic Prairie-style home that was restored by the Millers. 

“It’s a beautiful home and stunningly unique in its design,” Kmeic said. “And it’s in a part of town that’s been getting more attention for the beauty of the neighborhood.” 

Beyond living in the home, Kmeic envisions using the property as a place where architecture students might study Wright’s work and discuss South Bend’s revival and the principles of new urbanism. 

“I would like to use it for educational purposes,” said Kmeic, adding that he sees it as his duty to preserve and protect the property. “I see this as a continuation of my career as a teacher.” 

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The home was listed by Beau Dunfee, managing broker with South Bend-based Weichert Realtors — Jim Dunfee & Associates, for the estate. “We’re thrilled it’s going to somebody who’s going to care for it and carry on the legacy,” he said. 

Though there are seven remaining Wright-designed homes in Indiana — including the Mossberg house at 1404 Ridgedale Road in South Bend — 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.