Martin, D. D., House Complex
Also known as: George Barton House; Gardener's Cottage; See Also:Martin, Darw
Why it's listed
Three buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright make up this complex in a Buffalo neighborhood of curving streets laid out by Frederick Law Olmsted near Delaware Park. The large russet brick Martin House, built in 1904-5 for soap executive Darwin D. Martin, is flanked by the smaller Barton House, built for Martin's sister and brother-in-law, and a frame Gardener's Cottage. Wright originally linked them with a pergola, conservatory and garage, but these were demolished in 1962 for an apartment building that now separates the main house from its companions. The main house stood vacant through the 1940s, was subdivided in the 1950s, and was bought by the State University of New York at Buffalo in the 1960s, after which restoration began under Edgar Tafel. The complex was valued as a leading Prairie House design and as evidence of Wright's ideas about linked family homes and his long relationship with the Martin family.
Significance in brief: The complex is one of Frank Lloyd Wright's best-known Prairie House works and shows the development of the Prairie House in its two principal houses. It was a rare chance for Wright to approach his "quadruple block plan" for linked houses around a common landscaped area. The Martin family also remained lifelong friends and clients of Wright.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 75001185, listed December 30, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 123 Jewett Pkwy., Buffalo |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | December 30, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001185 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1903-1905 |
| Architect / builder | Frank Lloyd Wright |
| Architectural style | Prairie House |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The main house was restored beginning in 1967 after decades of vacancy and subdivision. The pergola, conservatory and garage were demolished in 1962. The Barton House interiors are in virtually original condition. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Within district | Parkside East Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.93642, -78.84769 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 75001185.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.