DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'm gonna let that story breathe a little. So. Stanley Marcus — the man who helped turn a Dallas department store into a byword for elegance the world over — decided he wanted a house worthy of that vision.
And he had opinions. Strong ones. Strong enough that when one of the most celebrated architects in American history handed him a design, Marcus looked it over, looked Frank Lloyd Wright in the eye, and said, in effect: no.
Dismissed. Just like that. Frank Lloyd Wright, shown the door.
You don't hear that sentence very often in the history of architecture, but there it is. Marcus then turned to Dallas architect Roscoe DeWitt and said, essentially, let's try this again. DeWitt delivered.
What went up was an International style residence — clean, modern, uncompromising — completed in 1938. Marcus was already recognized worldwide for his innovations in fashion retailing, and he was becoming a significant patron of modern architecture to boot. The house fit the man.
And the man filled the house. Over the decades, hundreds of dignitaries passed through those doors — President Lyndon B. Johnson among them, Princess Grace of Monaco among them, global leaders in politics, fashion, and the arts.
The kind of guest list that would make a diplomat's head spin. The Marcus family called it home all the way until 1994 — over half a century under one roof, hosting the world. Today the house stands as a notable example of the International style in Texas.
And somewhere in the ledger of architectural history, there's a footnote next to Frank Lloyd Wright's name that must still sting just a little.
What the marker says
After dismissing Frank Lloyd Wright for his failure to produce a suitable design, Stanley Marcus commissioned Dallas architect Roscoe Dewitt to design this International style residence. Recognized worldwide for his innovations in fashion retailing and a significant patron of modern architecture, Marcus hosted hundreds of dignitaries here, including President Lyndon B. Johnson, Princess Grace of Monaco and global leaders in politics, fashion and the arts. Completed in 1938 and home to the Marcus family until 1994, the house is a notable example of its style in Texas. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2001