c.1939 Riverfront Modern Michigan Home For Sale on 89 Acres $2.4M

Riverfront Modern Michigan home designed by Alden B. Dow for his sister. (Mr. Dow was a rather famous American architect.) There’s a private 1 mile drive up to the house, along with 89 acres. The sunken living room is giving the right vibes! The river can be seen from the living room windows, with a grand piano to relax all day and night. Windows and mirrors everywhere <3 I’m so in love!

This is a spectacular opportunity to own a crown jewel of Midland’s mid-century modern home portfolio. Never before offered for sale, and with limited public exposure, this estate was meticulously crafted by Alden B. Dow for his sister in 1939. The estate offers significant privacy afforded by the 1-mile private, gated and paved driveway off of Meridian Road just south of the Chippewa River. The home is being offered with almost 90 acres of riverfront property and surrounded by over 500 acres conservation property. The home is classic Alden B Dow featuring unit block construction and original built-in details and fixtures. There are incredible views of the river and landscaped grounds throughout the home through massive windows.

History

The incredible estate that renowned mid-century modern architect Alden B. Dow built for his sister, Dorthy Arbury, is truly a masterpiece. The home has remained in the family since its design and construction in 1939. This is the first public offering of this spectacular home and property. Alden B. Dow was a prominent American architect known for his unique contributions to mid-20th-century architecture. Born in 1904 in Midland, Michigan, he was heavily influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, with whom he studied. Dow’s architectural style is characterized by its organic integration with the environment, innovative use of materials, and emphasis on harmony between structure and nature. His designs often feature flat roofs, geometric shapes, large windows, and a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces. The Arbury Residence is a stunning example of his prominent work.

Home

This grand, unique home features a distinctive pinwheel design centered on a welcoming entrance that intersects four spacious wings. One wing hosts four family bedrooms, providing ample private space. The opposite wing encompasses the kitchen, dining room, and screened porch, with the dining room standing out for its elegant tall mirrored walls and a ceiling grid of 36 square mirrors, each corner illuminated by small lights. The third wing is entirely dedicated to a substantial living room, split into two levels.

Lower Level

The lower level includes built-in seating around a classic fireplace, while the upper level is bathed in natural light from windows on two sides. A remarkable 80-foot covered walkway leads to the fourth wing, housing a rare three-car garage (expanded to six cars) for its time. The home’s lower level boasts a 29 by 52-foot game room, where plain white unit block walls are beautifully contrasted by vibrant colors and playful shapes adorning the walls, ceiling, and red carpet floor. Alden B. Dow’s innovative design and attention to detail are also reflected in the only other unit block home he created that same yearhis own expansive residence. Don’t miss this opportunity to own a masterpiece of mid-20th-century architecture that seamlessly blends style, functionality, and historical significance.

• 5bed
• 5.5bath
• 6,400sqft
• 89acre lot
• Circa 1939

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