Real Estate Blog

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 22 Lee Gate Lane

Last week we explored 30 Beverly Road, a distinctive English Cottage style residence, completed in 1913, by Marcus Burrowes & Dalton R. Wells for Florence L. Pond, daughter of a distinguished lawyer in Detroit.

This week we jump forward to 1947, to visit 22 Lee Gate Lane. This one-of-a-kind modern residence was designing by Hugh T. Keyes for Robert Hudson Tannahill, a renowned art collector in Detroit, nephew of department store king Joseph L. Hudson, and first cousin of Eleanor Ford, wife of Edsel Ford. 

During his long and distinguished career Hugh T. Keyes built many significant houses across Metro Detroit. One of his “principal works” was 22 Lee Gate Lane, located at the end of a secluded cul de sac, close to the lake in Grosse Pointe Farms.…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 30 Beverly Road

Last week we presented the story of 251 Lincoln - another superb property by Louis Kamper from his Italian Renaissance period. As previously mentioned, some of Kamper’s work, during the early twentieth century, was heavily influenced by Italian Renaissance architecture. He created at least three significant properties in Grosse Pointe in this style – 285 Washington (1912), 1 Rathbone Place (1917) and 251 Lincoln (1918).

This week we head to 30 Beverly Road, a distinctive English Cottage style residence, completed in 1913, by Marcus Burrowes & Dalton R. Wells for Florence L. Pond, daughter of a distinguished lawyer in Detroit. Beverly Road is the only street in the Grosse Pointe communities that is listed on the National Register of Historic…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe –251 Lincoln Road

Last week explored another property by Louis Kamper as we traveled to Washington Road to visit an historic home located at the foot of the street - 285 Washington, completed in 1912, for James L. Lee.

This week we stay with the work of Louis Kamper, to feature another superb property from his Italian Renaissance period, to bring you the story of 251 Lincoln Rd. As we mentioned last week some of Kamper’s work, during the early twentieth century, was heavily influenced by Italian Renaissance architecture, he created at least three significant properties in Grosse Pointe in this style – 285 Washington (1912), 1 Rathbone Place (1917) and 251 Lincoln (1918).

251 Lincoln, “Edgeroad” (the original address was 17743 E. Jefferson) was completed in 1918,…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 285 Washington Road

Last week we explored 50 Moross. The property was designed for William E. Moran, in 1914, by Louis Kamper - one of the most noted architects to grace Metro Detroit. 

This week we head to another property by Kamper as we travel to Washington Road to visit an historic home located at the foot of the street - welcome to 285 Washington.

The address of this property was originally listed as 4455 E. Jefferson, it was then changed to 17631 E. Jefferson, and finally to 285 Washington. The residence is immense in size and stature and once presented an impressive entrance to one of the most prominent streets in the community. Image courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University (1933).

The 7,629…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 50 Moross

Last week we explored a rather distinctive home that many Grosse Pointers drive past everyday – 58 Moross. Completed in 1915, the property was designed by Stahl, Kinsey & Chapman for Louis A. Moran, a cement contractor. 

This week we stay on Moross to visit 50 Moross, located next door to number 58. The property was designed for William E. Moran, in 1914, by Louis Kamper - one of the most noted architects to grace Metro Detroit. 

The 3,500 sq ft home was created in the Bungalow architectural style, an unusual approach for Kamper during this era given his reputation for producing more formal, large-scale brick-built homes. Nonetheless, 50 Moross has all the charm and grace one comes to expect with the work by the famed Detroit architect. 

50…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 58 Moross

Last week we went back to school to explore the modern additions to University Liggett School, designed by the world-famous modernist architects Leinweber, Yamasaki & Hellmuth. Completed in 1954, the firm was commissioned to design a lower and middle school along with a new gymnasium, auditorium, a library, and fine arts rooms, to complement the existing older two-story brick building erected in 1928. 

This week we visit a rather distinctive home that many Grosse Pointers drive past everyday – welcome to 58 Moross. Completed in 1915, the property was designed by Stahl, Kinsey & Chapman for Louis A. Moran, a cement contractor. 

The primary architectural form of 58 Moross is the Prairie style - a popular architectural approach across the United…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – University Liggett School

Last week we looked at one of Grosse Pointe’s modern properties, 1013 Cadieux, created by prominent modern architect, William Kessler, for himself and his family in 1959. The Kessler family often referred to the house as “the chateau on Cadieux”.

This week we continue our association with William Kessler, as we turn our attention to University Liggett School, designed by Kessler’s former boss, Minoru Yamasaki. Completed in 1954, the project was an addition to the existing Detroit University School/Grosse Pointe Country Day School building. Following the merger of the two schools (to create the Grosse Pointe University School, in 1954), the firm of Leinweber, Yamasaki & Hellmuth, was commissioned to design a lower and middle school along with a…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 1013 Cadiuex

Last week we reviewed 457 Lake Shore, the splendid home of Roy D. Chapin, who commissioned John Russell Pope to design a grand estate on Lake Shore in 1927.

This week we jump forward to 1959, to look at one of Grosse Pointe’s modern properties, 1013 Cadieux, created by prominent modern architect, William Kessler, for himself and his family. The Kessler family often referred to the house as "the chateau on Cadieux”. 

1013 Cadieux is a 1,700 sq ft one-of-a-kind modern style residence. The house is constructed from a light-steel frame; with floor to ceiling glass panels on the front and rear elevations, and brick-built end walls. The roof is comprised of a distinctive three-bay folded plate roof. The exterior of the home also features a privacy…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 457 Lake Shore

Last week we explored 300 Provencal. The magnificent Georgian Colonial home was designed by New York City based architect John Russell Pope, for Edward E. MacCrone, an investment banker. 

This week we are going to review 457 Lake Shore, the splendid home of Roy D. Chapin, who commissioned John Russell Pope to design the grand estate on Lake Shore in 1927.

Roy Dikeman Chapin, Sr. was an American industrialist and a co-founder of the Hudson Motor Company. He also served as the United States Secretary of Commerce from August, 1932, to March, 1933. Roy Chapin was born in Lansing in 1880. Having attended the University of Michigan, Chapin headed the consortium of businessmen and engineers that founded the Hudson Motor Car Company in 1908. The company…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 300 Provencal

Last week we explored 1012 Three Mile Drive, one of Leonard Willieke’s acclaimed homes. The Tudor mansion was completed in 1929, for Raymond J. Purdy, an auto accessories and windshield manufacturer.

This week we head to 300 Provencal. The magnificent Georgian Colonial home was designed by New York City based architect John Russell Pope, for Edward E. MacCrone, an investment banker.

300 Provencal was completed in 1928. It is a classic symmetrical 7,832 sq ft Georgian Colonial home located on a 1.5-acre lot. The grand brick built home features a slate roof, tall sash windows, while the entrance is dominated by the central portico, supported by two columns with a wrought iron balcony above. This property is in essence the quintessential Georgian…

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