Parkside in Buffalo in Erie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

A Remarkable Partnership

Martin House • Frank Lloyd Wright, Architect

— A National Historic Landmark and New York State Historic Site —

A Remarkable Partnership Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 4, 2022

1. A Remarkable Partnership Marker

Inscription.

A Remarkable Partnership. Martin House . Frank Lloyd Wright, Architect. , The Martin House is the result of an exceptional collaboration between Darwin D. Martin and Frank Lloyd Wright. Martin was a highly accomplished business and civic leader, while Wright was an architect who, at the time, was relatively unknown outside architectural circles in Chicago and the Midwest., In 1902, Martin invited Wright to Buffalo to discuss the design of an administrative headquarters for his firm, the Larkin Company , a burgeoning soap manufacturing and mail-order conglomerate. He was also interested in building a new home for his wife Isabelle and their family. Martin recognized Wright's genius and commissioned him for both projects , by far the two most important works of the architect's early career. Martin entrusted Wright with a nearly unlimited budget for the construction of his city estate; in turn Wright designed a unique residential complex where buildings integrate with the site and the surrounding landscape., Martin became a reliable patron and fervent supporter of Wright's. Martin and Wright's enduring friendship was built on mutual respect, and it had a lasting impact on the architect throughout his prolific professional life., [Photo captions, top and center, read] , . left Darwin D. Martin (1865-1935), . right Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), . Construction crew at Martin House, October 1904, Larkin Administration Building , Frank Lloyd Wright was commissioned to design the Larkin Administration Building, his first major commercial project. Completed in 1906, it was celebrated for incorporating many technical innovations that also provided for the welfare of the company's employees. Although it was demolished in 1950, the building is considered a monument of twentieth century architecture., [Photo caption reads] The Larkin Administration Building, c. 1906, Graycliff , In later years, Martin asked Wright to design a summer cottage for his family on the bluffs above the shore of Lake Erie. Completed in 1931, Graycliff was built in Derby, New York, 22 miles southwest of the Martin House. Together, the Martin House and Graycliff represent the unique, long-lasting relationship of one architect and one family., [Photo caption reads] Graycliff exterior viewed from south, after 1930

The Martin House is the result of an exceptional collaboration between Darwin D. Martin and Frank Lloyd Wright. Martin was a highly accomplished business and civic leader, while Wright was an architect who, at the time, was relatively unknown outside architectural circles in Chicago and the Midwest.

In 1902, Martin invited Wright to Buffalo to discuss the design of an administrative headquarters for his firm, the Larkin Company — a burgeoning soap manufacturing and mail-order conglomerate. He was also interested in building a new home for his wife Isabelle and their family. Martin recognized Wright's genius and commissioned him for both projects — by far the two most important works of the architect's early career. Martin entrusted Wright with a nearly unlimited budget for the construction of his city estate; in turn Wright designed a unique residential complex where buildings integrate with the site and the surrounding landscape.

Martin became a reliable patron and fervent supporter of Wright's. Martin and Wright's enduring friendship was built on mutual respect, and it had a lasting impact on the architect throughout

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his prolific professional life.

[Photo captions, top and center, read]
• left Darwin D. Martin (1865-1935)

• right Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)

• Construction crew at Martin House, October 1904

Larkin Administration Building
Frank Lloyd Wright was commissioned to design the Larkin Administration Building, his first major commercial project. Completed in 1906, it was celebrated for incorporating many technical innovations that also provided for the welfare of the company's employees. Although it was demolished in 1950, the building is considered a monument of twentieth century architecture.

[Photo caption reads] The Larkin Administration Building, c. 1906

Graycliff
In later years, Martin asked Wright to design a summer cottage for his family on the bluffs above the shore of Lake Erie. Completed in 1931, Graycliff was built in Derby, New York, 22 miles southwest of the Martin House. Together, the Martin House and Graycliff represent the unique, long-lasting relationship of one architect and one family.

[Photo caption reads] Graycliff exterior viewed from south, after 1930

Erected by The Martin House.

Topics and series.

The Martin House and Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 4, 2022

2. The Martin House and Markers

This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Frank Lloyd Wright series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.

Location. 42° 56.155′ N, 78° 50.914′ W. Marker is in Buffalo, New York, in Erie County. It is in Parkside. It is on Jewett Parkway 0.1 miles east of Parkside Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 125 Jewett Parkway, Buffalo NY 14214, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York

and specifically in Western New York.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: An Exceptional Home (here, next to this marker); The Integrated Landscape

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(here, next to this marker); An Architectural Treasure (here, next to this marker); Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House Complex (a few steps from this marker); Buffalo Zoo (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Central Presbyterian Church (approx. ¼ mile away); The Flint Hill Encampment (approx. 0.3 miles away); Unnamed Soldiers of the War of 1812 (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buffalo.

Also see . . .
1. The Martin House: Our Story. (Submitted on May 8, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. The Life of Frank Lloyd Wright. (Submitted on May 8, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Welcome to Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff. (Submitted on May 8, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 281 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 8, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.