Real Estate Blog - May, 2024

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Provencal, The Modern Marvels

Last week we concluded our presentation on The Junior League of Detroit’s Designers’ Show House which began in 1976 and has been held at 25 different houses. This year was the final event held at 315 Lakeland.

This week we head to one of the most prestigious streets in Grosse Pointe Farms, Provencal, to explore the elegant modern marvels, many of which were built by the respected architect/builder Hilary H. Micou in the late 1950’s and 1960’s.

The homes on Provencal evoke a sense of grandeur – timeless designs created in an array of architectural styles that have been designed by some of Detroit’s leading architects. Most of the homes on this private road were completed prior to the 1940, however, post 1950 the development of Provencal has not…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – History of the JLD’s Designers’ Show House – Part 2

Last week we began a two-part story of the history of the Junior League of Detroit’s (JLD) Designers’ Show House (DSH). The event, which began in 1976, has been held in 25 different houses, raised over $5million, and has welcomed over 280,000 guests.

This week we conclude the history of the event as we look at the homes from 2000 through 2024. The journey has now come to an end after 48 years, with 315 Lakeland, its final destination. 

The Designers’ Show Houses: 2000 – 2024.

2000 – 15410 Windmill Pointe
15410 Windmill Pointe is an English inspired manor house designed by Alfred Hopkins & Associates. It was completed, in 1924, for William Harris, an investment banker, a significant authority in zoology, and father of stage actress, Julie…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – History of the JLD’s Designers’ Show House – Part 1

Last week we explored 16638 E Jefferson, originally built for Frank W. Eddy in 1911-12. In 1927, under the new ownership of John B. Ford Jr., the house underwent an extensive remodel to create the property we know today.

This week we begin a two-part story of the history of the Junior League of Detroit’s (JLD) Designers’ Show House (DSH). The event is currently being held at 315 Lakeland, Grosse Pointe. However, after 48-years, the journey will come to an end with this, its final destination.

The JLD’s Designers Show House began in 1976 and has been held in 25 different houses (23 in the Grosse Pointe communities and 2 in Detroit). The event was first conceived in San Francisco in the early 1970’s. During this time a member of the JLD headed to…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 16638 E Jefferson

Last week we concluded the story of 16710 E Jefferson. The two-part post was a recollection of memories from Jeff Farkas about his childhood home, published with Jeff's permission.

 This week we head to one of neighboring properties to explore 16638 E Jefferson, “St. Dunstan”, originally built for Frank W. Eddy in 1911-12. In 1927, under the new ownership of John B. Ford Jr., (vice president of Wyandotte Chemical) the house underwent an extensive remodel to create the property we know today.

16638 E Jefferson is adjacent to what was the Leslie Gillette residence (16708 E Jefferson), and close to 16710 E Jefferson. The original property was a Victorian style home, built for Frank W. Eddy, a prominent businessman in Detroit who had made his…

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