K.C. DeRhodes House residential building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in South Bend, Indiana, has been listed for sale at $1.17 million, offering one of the few chances to acquire the only true Prairie-style residence in Indiana. Completed in 1906, this privately owned home has undergone decades of restoration led by preservation-minded stewards, including recipients of the Wright Spirit Award. The home remains protected under a legal Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy preservation easement, requiring oversight for all future modifications.
The K.C. DeRhodes House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1906 and located in South Bend, Indiana, is currently listed for sale at $1.17 million. Described in the listing as “a true architectural treasure designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1906 and one of only two Wright-designed homes in South Bend,” it remains the only complete example of Prairie-style residential architecture in the state.
Commissioned by Kersey C. and Laura Bowsher DeRhodes, the home was designed during Wright’s early career and exhibits many of the defining characteristics of the Prairie School. The house incorporates strong horizontal lines, broad overhanging eaves, continuous sill lines, and a cruciform plan that divides interior space through piers and low built-ins without interrupting the overall spatial flow. This project followed Wright’s first trip to Japan and reflects influences seen in his developing design philosophy at the time.
The design also reflects the work of Marion Mahony, a key figure in Wright’s studio. Her presentation drawing for the DeRhodes House integrated stylized natural elements around the structure, introducing a new graphic standard in American architectural rendering. The stained-glass windows, featuring clusters of angled triangles and vertical rectangles, closely align with Mahony’s later work for the Gerald Mahony House in Elkhart, Indiana.
The house measures nearly 3,000 square feet and sits on a half-acre lot in the West Washington Historic District. The first floor features a reception hall, a living room with a brick fireplace, a formal dining room, a half-bath, and an updated kitchen that respects the historical character of the home. The second level contains five bedrooms and two bathrooms, including a primary suite with a fireplace and a three-sided wall of original art-glass windows with custom blackout blinds. The property also includes a finished basement, restored front and rear terraces, and a detached two-car garage.
Restoration of the K.C. DeRhodes House began in 1978 when Suzanne and Tom Miller acquired the property in a severely deteriorated condition. Over several decades, they undertook a comprehensive effort to return the home to its original architectural integrity. Their work, which included extensive research and physical restoration, was recognized in 2021 when they were posthumously awarded the Wright Spirit Award for preservation.
“They did all the work in re-creating and putting the house back into its original condition,” said listing agent Steve Bizzaro of Howard Hanna SB Real Estate. “The woodwork had been painted over, so they painstakingly stripped the paint. They had the original prints and worked with the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy.”
In 2022, the current owners invested an additional $400,000 in modernizing certain features, including the bathrooms and kitchen, installing air conditioning, adding a driveway, and equipping the home with an electric vehicle charger. Bizzaro described the property as “one of the best” examples of Wright’s residential work and called it a “perfect mix of old world charm and modern living.”
The original construction involved a high level of personal attention from Wright himself. “It was at the beginning of his career,” Bizzaro said. “At the time, his office was in Chicago, so he would ride the train down here during the construction. It wasn’t just a design. It was hands-on for Mr. Wright.”
All future restoration or alterations are subject to review by the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, which oversees a deeded preservation easement placed on the house by Suzanne Miller before her death. “The home is part of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy,” Bizzaro explained. “Mrs. Miller put that easement in place just before her death. The sellers inherited the easement, which is a deeded process. The conservancy monitors any restoration projects.”
Showings of the home are by appointment only. Prospective buyers must review and acknowledge the preservation easement, a furniture preservation lease, and a license to encroach before scheduling a visit. Proof of funds or a lender pre-approval letter is required in advance. The house remains a private residence and is not open to the public for tours.
The listing of the K.C. DeRhodes House represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s early residential commissions, fully restored and legally protected under one of the most rigorous private preservation frameworks in American architecture.
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