Darwin D. Martin House - The Complex

• The Complex

The Complex is located within the Parkside East Historic District of Buffalo, which was laid out by renowned American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in 1876. Darwin Martin purchased the land in 1902. Construction began in 1903, and Wright signed off on the project in 1907. The original complete Martin House Complex was 29080 ft2 (2700m2).

• The Martin House

Built between 1904 & 1905 the Martin House is distinguished from Wright's other prairie style houses by its unusually large size and open plan, and is one of the largest built. Martin had imposed no budget and Wright is believed to have spent close to $300,000. By comparison Martin's brother's house was in the vicinity of $5000, and the Ladies' Home Journal design quoted at $7000. On the ground floor a library, dining room, and living room all open into each other, with the dining room continuing out to a large covered porch. The porch at the east end is balanced by the porte-cochere at the opposite end. On the second floor there are eight bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a sewing room. The Martin House is located at the south end of the complex, at 125 Jewett Parkway, Buffalo.

• The Barton House

Construction on the Barton House began first in 1903 and not only was it the first building of the complex to be completed but also the first of Wright's in Buffalo. The principal living spaces are concentrated in the center two story portion of the house where the reception, living and dining areas open into each other. The two main bedrooms are on the second story, at either end of a narrow hall. The kitchen is at the north end, while an open porch is at the south. The Barton House is on the east side of the complex, at 118 Summit Avenue, Buffalo.

• The Carriage House

Over the years the Carriage House served a number of purposes. Originally as a stable with horse stalls, a hay loft, and storage for a carriage. In later years as a garage with a service area for a car, and an upstairs apartment for a chauffeur. It also contained the boilers for the complex's heating system. The Carriage House was built between 1903 & 1905. The original structure was demolished in 1962, and rebuilt during the restoration between 2004 & 2007. The Carriage House is at the north end of the complex, directly north of the Martin House porte-cochere, to the west of the Conservatory.

• The Gardener's Cottage

Built in 1909 of wood and stucco the Gardener's Cottage is so modest in size that a boxy configuration appears to have been inevitable, contrary to Wright's ideal of opening up the confining "box" of traditional American houses. Nevertheless, Wright managed to create an illusion of the pier and cantilever principle that characterized the Martin House by placing tall rectangular panels at each corner of the building. The gardener was Reuben Polder who had to provide fresh flowers daily for every room in the Martin House, a task which he completed until Darwin Martin died in 1935. The Gardener's Cottage is on the west side of the complex, at 285 Woodward Avenue, Buffalo.

• The Conservatory

Built for plant growing the Conservatory features a glass and metal roof supported by brick piers. A plaster cast of the Winged Victory of Samothrace stands at the entrance. The original conservatory was demolished in 1962, and rebuilt between 2004 & 2007 as part of the restoration. The Conservatory is at the north end of the complex between the Carriage House and the Barton House.

• The Pergola

The pergola runs from the entrance hall of the Martin House to the entrance of the conservatory, and is about 100 ft (30m) long. The original pergola was demolished in 1962, and was rebuilt between 2004 & 2007. The Pergola is at the center of the complex, running north-south between the Martin House and the Conservatory.