Detroit Architects:  MacFarlane, Maul & Lentz

Founded by “the three Walters” (Walter MacFarlane, Walter Maul, and Walter Lentz), MacFarlane, Maul & Lentz was a prolific Detroit firm specializing in quality residential design during the city’s rise in prominence with wealthy families looking to put down roots in historic districts like Indian Village.

Their work placed a high emphasis on prestige, high-quality brick and masonry, presence, and quality craftsmanship – all hallmarks of old Detroit’s architectural identity that conveyed abundance and social status.

Within Indian Village alone, MacFarlane, Maul & Lentz commissioned several notable houses, including:

• The Percy Owen House located at 1811 Burns
• The Mrs. Annette I. Miller House located at 2435 Burns
• The R. McClelland Brady House located at 1064 Iroquois
• The Christian H. Hecker House located at 1763 Iroquois
• The Rudolph J. Hirt House located at 3438 Iroquois
• The Charles F. Mellish House located at 1073 Iroquois
• The Frederick H. Andrus House located at 1429 Iroquois
• The James D. Standish Jr. House located at 3065 Iroquois

Together, MacFarlane, Maul & Lentz’s body of work forms an architectural backbone along several of Detroit’s most prominent streets — helping define the city of Detroit’s overall visual richness and historical significance.