Real Estate Blog

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 1017 Lake Shore

Last week we were in Grosse Pointe Shores to present the four residential projects Albert Kahn completed on Lake Shore between 1910 and 1930, two of which have been razed.

This week we stay with one of those homes, or at least the housekeeper’s residence that was originally part of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford Estate, designed by Albert Kahn and completed in 1929. Located at 1100 Lake Shore the estate was originally located on 125-acres. The property also included the head housekeeper’s cottage which is now a private residence 1017 Lake Shore.

1017 Lake Shore was completed in 1930, after the main residence was finished in 1929. The quaint cottage in the woods was originally used as the housekeepers’ residence for the Ford Estate. While it is…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe –Albert Kahn Residential Projects in Grosse Pointe Shores

Last week we concluded our series on the municipal buildings in Grosse Pointe as we visited the structures in the Woods and the Shores - built during two very different eras. Esteemed architect Albert Kahn designed the structure in the Shores, it is the oldest municipal building in the Grosse Pointe communities.

This week we remain in Grosse Pointe Shores to review the four residential projects Albert Kahn completed on Lake Shore, between 1910 and 1930, two of which have been razed.

633 Lake Shore
Albert Kahn’s earliest project in Grosse Pointe Shores was in 1910. Kahn in conjunction with associate Ernest Wilby, completed 633 Lake Shore for Howard E. Coffin, an automobile engineer and industrialist. Along with Roy Chapin, Mr. Coffin was one of…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Grosse Pointe Municipal Buildings – Woods & Shores

Last week we continued with our presentation as we explored the municipal buildings in the Farms and the City, both of which have a very different story to tell. The structure in the farms dates to 1916, while the original site for the municipal buildings in the city can be traced to 1920.

This week we conclude our series as we visit the structures in the Woods and the Shores that were built during two very different eras. The facility in the Shores is the oldest municipal building in the Grosse Pointe communities.

Grosse Pointe Woods
The current municipal building in the Woods is the newest structure in the community. The original building (date of completion is not known) was located on the corner of Anita/Mack. As with all city structures in…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Grosse Pointe Municipal Buildings – Farms and City

Last week we began a series on the superb municipal buildings in community – beginning with the history of the structure in Grosse Pointe Park designed by George J. Haas, completed in 1918.

This week we continue with our presentation as we stop by the municipal buildings in the Farms and the City, both of which have a very different story to tell. As we mentioned last week, in general, the term “municipal building” means any enclosed building or structure owned or leased and occupied by the town for the purpose of providing municipal services. Several of the structures in Grosse Pointe were designed by some of the more distinguished architects in Detroit.

Grosse Pointe Farms:
The structure in Grosse Pointe Farms was the second earliest municipal…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Grosse Pointe Park Municipal Building

Last week we presented 16960 E. Jefferson, designed by Raymond Carey for Mrs. Mary Schmidt in 1927-1928. Located on nine lots, the lavish 40-room mansion had the “substantial elegance of a German castle." It was razed in the early 1970's.

This week we begin a short series on the superb municipal buildings in Grosse Pointe, several of which were created before 1920, having been designed by some of the most noted architects of the era. In general, the term “municipal building” means any enclosed building or structure owned or leased and occupied by the town for the purpose of providing municipal services.

Arguably one of the more impressive municipal buildings in the community is the structure in Grosse Pointe Park (located at 15115 East…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 16960 E. Jefferson

Over the past couple of weeks, we have presented the work of English born architect Raymond Carey. Last week we took an in-depth look at one of his projects, 234 Provencal. The sublime Tudor style home was created in 1929, for George Malvin Holley Sr.

This week we conclude our series on the work of Raymond Carey as we explore 16960 E. Jefferson, completed in 1927-1928. Many of the homes Raymond Carey worked on in Grosse Pointe were created during the 1920’s and 1930’s. It appears he designed around 15 prestigious residences, the majority of which were created in his signature Georgian and Tudor Revival approach for prominent clientele. Unlike many of the noted architects who worked in Grosse Pointe during this era, it appears very few of Carey’s…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 234 Provencal

Last week we presented the work of Raymond Carey and the many fabulous homes he created in Grosse Pointe. Carey was a key figure in Grosse Pointe, creating prestigious homes for prominent clientele during the 1920’s – 1930’s. His work was extremely sought after.

This week we take a more in-depth look at one of Carey’s projects, 234 Provencal. This sublime Tudor style home was created in 1929, for George Malvin Holley Sr. At one point Mr. Holley owned five homes in Grosse Pointe, two of which were designed by Raymond Carey.

Many of the homes Raymond Carey worked on in Grosse Pointe were created during the 1920’s and 1930’s. The majority were in his signature Georgian and Tudor Revival approach, including 234 Provencal. At its height of popularity…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Architect Raymond Carey

Last week we concluded our series on landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman as we explored 380 Provencal. The American Colonial style home was designed by Raymond Carey for Mr. and Mrs. Courtenay D. Allington in 1929. Ellen Biddle Shipman designed the formal garden - her second project on Provencal.

This week we continue with the work of Raymond Carey as we look at some of the many fabulous homes he created in Grosse Pointe. Carey was a key figure in Grosse Pointe, creating prestigious homes for prominent clientele during the 1920’s – 1930’s. His work was extremely sought after.

Raymond Marwood-Elton Carey was born in Guernsey, Channel Islands (United Kingdom) on 27 August 1883. He was educated in Bath, but by 1901, he had relocated to London…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 380 Provencal

Last week we took a final look at the collective efforts of Charles A. Platt and Ellen Biddle Shipman as we explored 242 Provencal. The lost mansion was completed in 1934, for Mrs. Marion Jarvis Alger. It was razed in the 2000's. 

This week we take a look at our final Ellen Biddle Shipman project as we stop by 380 Provencal. The American Colonial style home was designed by Raymond Carey for Mr. and Mrs. Courtenay D. Allington in 1929. Ellen Biddle Shipman designed the formal garden - her second project on Provencal.

380 Provencal is an excellent example of an early American Colonial home. The 6,779 sq ft residence has superb views over the golf course and of course a beautiful garden at the rear of the house. The interior of the home had great…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 242 Provencal

Last week we continued with the collaborative work of Charles Platt and Ellen Biddle Shipman as we explored 99 Lothrop. The Georgian Colonial property was designed for Allen Fulton Edwards in 1928, Ellen Biddle Shipman, designed the garden.

This week we take a final look at the collective efforts of this talented duo as we explore 242 Provencal. The lost mansion was completed in 1934, for Mrs. Marion Jarvis Alger, the widow of Russel A. Alger Jr.

The affiliation of Charles Platt and Ellen Biddle Shipman began around 1910. By 1912, Shipman was collaborating with Platt on gardens across the United States, including one of their first joint projects in Grosse Pointe - 32 Lake Shore “the Moorings” (now the War Memorial) in 1910/11, created for…

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