Taking a walk through the Heritage Hill Historic District of Grand Rapids, Michigan you will find thousands of beautiful homes dating as far back as 1843. A certain level of affluence keeps the yards well maintained and the houses well kept. Your walk is a history lesson of changing styles. Nestled within this collection of Greek Revival, Italianate, and Queen Anne styles you will find one home which truly stands apart despite being contemporary with its neighbors, the Meyer May House by Frank Lloyd Wright. The house is refreshingly modern, especially knowing it was designed in 1908.
Meyer May
Meyer May was a successful clothing retailer in Grand Rapids. May is credited with being the first retailer to adopt the use of the "Batts Hanger" to display clothing. This specialized hanger and system allowed May's stores a more effective and profitable manner to display clothing. Being keen on innovation, May sought out Frank Lloyd Wright to design his home, a masterpiece of Prairie Architecture.
After passing through various owners, the home fell into disrepair. However, the home was lovingly restored by the Steelcase company in 1987 and is open to the public for free tours. It is a pleasure to walk through the home and experience the space as it was originally intended. The fenestration (arrangement of windows and doors) combined with the open plan, materials used and the color palette create a luminous sense of beauty. Even the furniture was specifically designed for the space it occupies further enhancing the harmony of the space. Meyer May invested in beauty. It remained with him for the rest of his days. Now, it is a joy that we can all experience.
Take a walk with Birkenstock.
