I’m going to refer back to my post from two weeks ago, titled: Heritage Hill, Grand Rapids, Michigan. In that post, I mentioned that there was a Frank Lloyd Wright house in the midst of these mega semi-Victorian mansions. Todays post takes a look at this house with seven captures I attached from a 10 minute; stop and shoot what you can, since we’re late for a holiday gathering. Unfortunately, we were unable to accommodate the tour schedule, so I literally was restricted to a quick photo shoot. The house in question is called the Meyer May House, located in Heritage Hill, Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and certainly typifies his style. The home itself was completed in 1909 and I can only imagine the talk considering the architecture of the surrounding homes. The house is true to his clean lines and simplicity accented with bold architectural details.
In the 1985 Steelcase (based in Grand Rapids), bought the home as a gift to the community. After meticulous and extensive restoration to the original structure, including interior originals and exacting duplicates, the house was open to the public in 1987. It serves as a rare opportunity to experience an original Prairie house as Frank Lloyd Wright envisioned it. More information here: Meyer May House.
The house itself sits on a corner lot. This first capture gives you a perspective for the overall look of the house with the clean lines and simplistic looking design. Please note the two red roofed porticos as a reference point in ensuing pictures. The one in the right of the picture has windows on the second story protruding over it and the one on the left side of the frame has a balcony built into the red roof.
Meyer May House – 1
The second capture takes you in front of the red roof with the windows protruding from the second floor.
Meyer May House – 2
Picture three goes back to the original shot as my next capture takes us to the other side of the house past the red roof with the balcony.
Meyer May House – 1
Shot number four now has the balcony on the right side of the frame and we are seeing the other side of the house (notice the art deco above the first story windows).
Meyer May House – 4
Capture number five walks us around the garden wall and lines up with the walkway to the front door. The art deco windows are on the left lining the walkway.
Meyer May House – 5
Picture number six looks at the windows and again, the walkway in the last picture is just behind the wall out of sight from this angle.
Meyer May House – 6
The seventh capture shows a close up of the detail around the top of the windows and……
Meyer May House – 7
the last capture shows the detail of a planter urn in the upper right hand corner of picture number six.
Meyer May House – 8
For a look inside, please visit the website from my link above…..it truly gives you an appreciation of the beauty of his architecture and the grandeur of the house.
Thoughts?
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The windows are great. Great shots.
Thanks a lot Josh…love the detail!!
Heh…on a side note….thank you for what you share….you touch more lives than you know!!
Thanks! That means a lot!
This is a beautiful collection of photos, Kirt. The windows and details captured my interest best. Beautiful and not far from my Cleveland roots! I had a Frank Lloyd Wright book in college but loaned it out. . . I liked his architecture so much! 🙂
I always have also!!! I was so shocked to see one of his homes in Grand Rapids, but what do I know?? First time there….very impressed with the city!! The house actually fits in beautifully with the neighborhood!!
Kirt, this was serendipitous for your family. Although a whole different style, up in Charlevoix my college friend showed us her sister’s (Linda Holliday Muehller) investment, Castle Farms. Very nice and besutiful renovation. The town had another focal point: an architect/artist who designed homes like mushrooms and included a local restaurant in the designs. I felt like the bonuses in this lakeside town made it like Camelot to me. 🙂 I will go look the designer’s name up and let you know. . .
Interesting you should mention restoring a farm….our daughter and husband are looking at buying a farm in the Grand Rapids area to restore into a wedding venue….they own a production company in LA and are looking at this for future endeavors….
Earl Young built such interesting homes from 1918 until 1975. He said he was inspired by part of Frank Lloyd Youngs concept of houses blending in with their environment and natural setting. Since you traveled to Grand Rapids, just wished to mention Charlevoix, Michigan is a beautiful and charming place to visit, Kirt. Have a lovely week! 🙂
Thanks….where is Charlevoix??
Thank you for this post! I thought I have seen all of his houses but I never have seen this one! I love hearing about him and his buildings and houses!
That this was such a quick photo shoot speaks to your mastery, Kirt. And the layout of the of the photos drew me into the design of the house. Great post. Hugs! 😀
As you would understand….I spent more time than I had getting the shots I liked into an “understandable” order!! Thank you for your appreciation and as I continue to say: thank you for your writing!!!
These photos are great Kirt. All the details you highlighted were so important in his buildings. Very nicely done.
Thank you very much Dan!!! I miss the great architectural details of the Midwest and the east!!
Timeless. Wide overhangs over windows/balconies are so functional. Of course the balconies offer a lovely bird’s nest view of the world as well as a good place to sit in warm weather. The strong design lines/elements of the entrance lead the eye/visitor right inside. A welcoming structure with weight. Appreciate images of all the sides and detailing.
I just wanted so bad to go inside:(…..I studied architecture in school so have a strong appreciation for his work…thanks for stopping by!!
Love the details of the windows! I have visions of you running around snapping photos like mad in your short time frame. 🙂
That’s about right:)
Thanks for this tour of the Meyer May House, Kirt. The design of this house is so lovely, and the windows are especially striking. I am a person who is always studying the effects of light wherever I go, so I just had to see the inside, wondering what must those windows look like from the inside? whoa. Thanks for the link. I love those windows, and the skylights overhead. A real beauty here, thanks for scrambling around on your way to the holiday celebration for us. 🙂
Just wished I had time during our long holiday weekend up there to have toured it…..next time! Thanks for stopping by!!
Here a Kirt, there a Kirt… everywhere a Kirt, Kirt!
But Kirt got it all.
The angles are amazing!
Thank you so much…..what I didn’t share was the Kirt reflected in the front door….glass door and the photographer squatting in the bushes for just the right angle😎😎
I believe it!
Very interesting ! I remembered seeing some of his houses in Chicago, that was impressive
I had no idea he had any there until we came across it. Thanks for stopping by!
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
QUITE AN ORNAMENT FOR A STREET CORNER…SURROUNDED BY PAINTED LADIES!!!!!
Thanks for rediscovering the actual photo post of the Meyer May house and for reblogging them.
the shot of a largely unsupported piece of roof with a circular design underneath…shown in the colorized art….was essentially the same in the photograph of that same feature!