McDonald was born in Milwaukee in 1922 and served in World War II as an officer in the U.S. Navy before pursuing a degree in architecture.
After a brief stint in the fine arts program at the State Teacher's College, McDonald decided to pursue his interest in architecture at Yale University.
McDonald and his family lived in the house for several years before moving to another home he designed located at 1001 Russet Street, also in Racine.
In addition to Racine, McDonald designed several private, public, and religious buildings in Milwaukee and Kenosha.
McDonald was successful throughout his life as he designed hotels, banks, churches, and marinas throughout the world, as well as homes for various celebrities, such as Björn Borg, Mickey Mantle, Perry Como, Jimmy Connors, James Garner and Maureen O'Hara.