Last week we reviewed the work of Ernest Wilby, a talented designer who was arguably best known for the buildings he created during his time as Albert Kahn’s chief designer from 1903 until 1918. In 1911, Wilby with Albert Kahn completed 99 Lake Shore Drive, completed in 1911 for John S. Newberry Jr. 

This week we stay with the Newberry Family and the ‘Lake Terrace’ residences that were owned by close friends and founders of the Michigan Car Works, Congressman John S. Newberry Sr. and Senator James McMillan. 

Towards the end of the 19th century John S. Newberry and James McMillan played a key role in developing the residential growth of Grosse Pointe, and the industrial growth in Detroit. In 1875, having purchased numerous French strip farms in…

2651 Views, 0 Comments

Last week we presented 16632 E. Jefferson. Located on the shores of Lake St. Clair the traditional Tudor Revival home was commissioned by Edgar Bowen in 1926, and designed by Wallace Frost. 

This week we would like to introduce you to the work of Ernest Wilby, a talented designer who was arguably best known for the buildings he created during his time as Albert Kahn’s chief designer from 1903 until 1918. During this time he was associated with at least three stunning homes in the Grosse Pointe community between 1905 and 1911. Sadly all three homes have now been demolished.

Ernest Wilby was born in Yorkshire, England in 1869. During his career he worked with numerous architects in Toronto, London, New York City, and Detroit. Having graduated from…

1676 Views, 0 Comments

Last week we presented one of Grosse Pointe’s largest homes – 15530 Windmill Pointe. The huge 14,547 sq ft stately Colonial Revival mansion was completed in 1929, by one of the most prominent architectural firms in the state, Smith, Hinchman and Grylls. Hal H. Smith, a leading attorney in the city and a patron of the arts, commissioned it.

This week we head to another iconic home -16632 E. Jefferson. Located on the shores of Lake St. Clair it was commissioned by Edgar Bowen in 1926, and designed by Wallace Frost.

16632 E. Jefferson is an 8,140 sq ft stately Tudor style home situated on a private lane (adjacent to Jefferson Court, that we recently profiled) on nearly one acre of land. It features an abundance of fine classic Tudor traits…

2089 Views, 0 Comments

Last week we explored one of Grosse Pointe’s most historic and prestigious homes 625 Lake Shore Rd. Completed in 1909, as a summer cottage for Harry Mulford Jewett, Walter MacFarlane designed the gracious white clapboard Colonial revival residence.

This week we visit one of Grosse Pointe’s largest homes – 15530 Windmill Pointe. The immense 14,547 sq ft stately Colonial Revival mansion was completed in 1929, by one of the most prominent architectural firms in the state, Smith, Hinchman and Grylls. Hal H. Smith, a leading attorney in the city and a patron of the arts, commissioned it.

15530 Windmill Pointe is situated on 1.9 acres of land on the shores of Lake St. Clair with 200’ of water frontage. The house is constructed of brick, with a slate…

3907 Views, 0 Comments

Last week we presented 16710 E. Jefferson, now 8 Jefferson Court, one of the oldest homes in all of the Grosse Pointe communities. The home was designed in a Victorian architectural approach for Dr. Lewis E. Maire. It is now part of the Jefferson Court Sub Division.

This week we head to one of Grosse Pointe’s most historic and prestigious homes 625 Lake Shore Rd. Completed in 1909, as a summer cottage for Harry Mulford Jewett, this gracious white clapboard Colonial revival residence was designed by Walter MacFarlane. 

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth century Lake Shore Rd was the location for two differing styles of residences. On one hand there were the wealthy Detroit businessmen who wanted to retain the area as a place to…

2869 Views, 0 Comments