The Marsh House: Where Architecture Meets Family

Travis Fader
Apr 29
2 min read

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Set in a quiet neighborhood in Midland, Michigan, the Marsh House stands as a beautiful example of mid-century design- a thoughtful creation by architect Robert E. Schwartz. Designed for and with family, this home beautifully showcases Schwartz's commitment to simplicity, function, and harmony with its surroundings.

Robert Schwartz in the 1950s. Photos courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library.

Born and raised in Midland, Schwartz developed an early fascination with design, originally leaning toward aeronautical engineering before deciding architecture was his true passion. In 1950, at just 22 years old, he entered the University of Michigan’s College of Architecture and Design, immersing himself in the Bauhaus-inspired approach popular at the time. This movement prioritized practical elegance, clean lines, and natural materials- all principles Schwartz would eventually weave into his designs.

After graduating, Schwartz returned home to Midland, honing his skills by apprenticing with prominent local architects Bob Goodall and Glenn “Red” Beach- both alumni of the celebrated Alden B. Dow studio. One of Schwartz's earliest commissions, however, would come from family: his cousin, Patricia (Olds) Marsh, and her husband James ("Pete") Marsh. Remarkably, Schwartz was tasked with designing the home before officially forming his own firm, but his innate talent was already clear.

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Together, Schwartz and the Marsh family envisioned a modest ranch-style home that perfectly embodied mid-century ideals. The exterior combines Chicago common brick with redwood accents, emphasizing horizontal lines that anchor the home gracefully into its landscape. Inside, Schwartz carefully designed each space to flow naturally into the next, from the bright, welcoming entryway- complete with a built-in planter and mahogany-trimmed cabinetry- to cozy rooms designed for everyday comfort and special family moments alike.

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The Marsh children recall their parents' hands-on involvement during construction. Their mother, Patt, tirelessly assisted her husband even while heavily pregnant, carrying supplies, and pushing wheelbarrows full of bricks and cement as Mr. Marsh laid brick after brick.

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The house truly was a labor of family love and commitment. “My earliest memories are from when we first moved in,” one daughter reminisces. “The floors weren’t finished yet, and we had to walk carefully to avoid splinters.” Yet soon enough, the house transformed into a place of warmth and joy. Family holidays around the dining room table, Christmas mornings spent in the sunlit living room, and later gatherings in the cozy, finished basement created lasting memories. “I loved sitting in the living room, looking out the big picture windows, watching the snow fall quietly. It felt peaceful- just perfect.”

Today, the Marsh House still holds those stories within its three bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths, airy living spaces, and inviting lower-level family room. More than just a beautifully preserved mid-century home, it represents Schwartz’s thoughtful design legacy intertwined with the Marsh family’s rich memories.

Now available for the very first time, the Marsh House awaits someone ready to carry its story forward, continuing the legacy of family, craftsmanship, and mid-century modern beauty right here in Midland.

2005 Jenkins Drive, Midland MI, 48640

$265,000

Listed by Travis Fader, Mid Mod Michigan by Modern Realty

Click here for a showing or questions.