Last week we presented the work Arthur Schmidt, successful during the mid-20th century, he primarily created commercial buildings in Metro Detroit that centered on a Mid-Century Modern approach.

This week we stay with the theme of Mid-Century Modern architecture as we explore some of the modern projects designed by James W. Conn. A fine example of his work is 781 Lake Shore, completed in 1964, for Dr. I. W. McLean.

James Conn was born in Montana on 1 December 1917. It is reported he studied under Frank Lloyd Wright in Wisconsin and Eero Saarinen at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he was on the team of architects who designed the St. Louis Arch. During WWII he was a pilot of a B-25 in the U.S. Air Force. Following the war he designed many…

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Last week we explored 40 Sunningdale, designed by Canadian born architect Edmund Primeau who created numerous homes in Grosse Pointe in varying architectural styles, primarily during the 1940’s and 1950’s, including 464 Chalfonte in 1948.

This week we continue with the work of lesser-known architects as we present the work of Arthur Schmidt. During the 1950’s he designed several large stores for Jacobson’s - a regional upscale department store chain who primarily operated in Michigan and Florida, along with at least three homes in Grosse Pointe, one of which was his own residence.

Arthur Otto August Schmidt may not be a house-hold name, but he made an important contribution to evolving the architectural scene in Metro Detroit. He was born on…

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Last week we stopped on Chalfonte Avenue in Grosse Pointe Farms to review a selection of properties on part of the street where the rear of the homes overlook the golf course at the prestigious Country Club of Detroit.

One of the homes we featured on Chalfonte (number 464) was designed by a Canadian born architect Edmund Primeau and built by Hilary Micou. Primeau was a versatile designer who created numerous homes in Grosse Pointe in varying architectural styles, primarily during the 1940’s and 1950’s. Arguably one of his most prominent projects was 40 Sunningdale.

40 Sunningdale, a striking Colonial inspired home, was completed in 1957 for Alfred L. Marks and his wife Virginia Backus. It was originally located on a secluded 1.9-acre lot,…

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Last week we stopped by 1001 Cadieux, the former carriage house of 16761 E. Jefferson – a grand estate designed by one of Detroit’s finest architects, Louis Kamper. The estate was built between 1916-17, for Christian Henry Haberkorn, Jr., a prominent banker in Detroit. Today 1001 Cadieux is its own charming residence.

This week we head to Chalfonte Avenue in Grosse Pointe Farms. We recently featured a stunning Mid-Century Ranch, 452 Chalfonte, so we thought we would look at a few more properties on this part of the street where the rear of the homes overlook the golf course at the prestigious Country Club of Detroit. Image courtesy of GoogleEarth.

The majority of the homes that run along this part of Chalfonte are single-story ranches, built…

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Last week we presented some of the yellow brick homes found in Grosse Pointe Park. Yellow brick was a popular building material in certain regions and for specific types of buildings, including numerous residences in the area that were built during the 1920’s.

This week we visit 1001 Cadieux, the former carriage house of 16761 E. Jefferson – a grand estate designed by one of Detroit’s finest architects, Louis Kamper. The estate was built between 1916-17, for Christian Henry Haberkorn, Jr., a prominent banker in Detroit. Today 1001 Cadieux is its own residence.

A few weeks ago, we presented the history of carriage houses with some fine examples that can be found in Grosse Pointe. Carriage houses played a key role as part of the large estates that…

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