Real Estate Blog

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 1012 Three Mile Drive

Last week we presented one of Leonard Willeke’s most prominent projects, 22 Webber Place. The grand estate was completed in 1927, for Oscar Webber, General Manager of Hudson’s Department store.

This week we head to another of Leonard Willieke’s acclaimed homes - 1012 Three Mile Drive – completed in 1929, for Raymond J. Purdy, an auto accessories and windshield manufacturer.

Throughout the 1920s, Leonard Willeke was known for designing fine residential work for wealthy clientele. His work includes some of the most magnificent mansions in Grosse Pointe, located on some of the most exclusive streets – Lake Shore Drive, Three Mile Drive, Balfour, Berkshire, and Buckingham.

1012 Three Mile Drive, commissioned by Raymond Purdy, ultimately came via…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 22 Webber Place

Last week we previewed 938 Balfour, completed in 1922, as a speculative home by the talented Leonard B. Willeke.

This week we stay with the work of Leonard Willeke to feature one of his most prominent projects, 22 Webber Place. The grand estate was completed in 1927, for Oscar Webber, General Manager of Hudson’s Department store, and the nephew of Joseph L. Hudson. (Joseph Hudson emigrated from Ontario to Michigan – in 1881, he opened a small men’s and boy’s store in Detroit. Before his death in 1912, the once small shop had grown to be the largest department store in the city). Oscar Webber was born in Ionia Township in 1889. Oscar, along with his three brothers, ran the Hudson department store for several decades. He was married to Marjorie…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 938 Balfour

Last week we turned our attention to some of the less well-known homes created by William B. Stratton. Aside from the large-scale projects that are often featured in books and publications, Stratton also completed numerous residences that are just as charming but don’t always receive the exposure they deserve. 

This week we arrive at 938 Balfour to explore the home designed and built by Leonard Willeke in 1922, as a speculative house. The definition of a speculative house is - ‘a residence built without a particular buyer in mind or under contract but designed to appeal to the maximum market possible’. Willeke, during the 1920’s, created at least seven residences on Balfour, this included four speculative homes: 938 (in 1922), 785 (in 1923), 746…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – William B. Stratton – The Less Well-Known Homes

Last week we explored 221 Lewiston – a unique Italian Renaissance villa designed by Hugh T. Keys for businessman Charles A. Dean and his wife Helen W. Dean (Ryan). 

This week we turn our attention to some of the less well-known homes created by William B. Stratton. We have previously covered many homes by Stratton, the large-scale projects that are often talked about and widely featured in books and publications, such as - 55 Tonnancour (1911), 938 Three Mile (1927), 15366 Windmill Pointe (1925), 341 Lakeland (1927), and 411 Country Club Drive (1927). Aside from these larger homes Stratton created he also completed numerous residences that are just as charming but don’t always receive the exposure they deserve, including:

•        50 Lochmoor
…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 221 Lewiston

Last week we continued the story of Lewiston Rd, profiling a range of homes located between Kercheval and the end of the street completed in 1930, or earlier.

This week we continue the story of one of the more unique homes on Lewiston. Completed in 1924, 221 Lewiston is an Italian Renaissance Villa designed by Hugh T. Keys for businessman Charles A. Dean and his wife Helen W. Dean (Ryan). It is reported the land was once part of a 35-acre plot of land called “Ridgeland”. Source: fox2detroit.com

The property has exceptional architectural details inside and out and is one of the most distinctive homes in the community. From an article in the Detroit News, we understand ‘Helen Dean, who loved Italy, actually went through two sets of plans for the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Lewiston Road – Part 2

Last week we presented part 1 of Lewiston Road with a selection of the homes created before 1930, on the first block located between Grosse Pointe Blvd and Kercheval.

This week we continue the story of Lewiston Rd with a range of homes located between Kercheval and the end of the street. As with part 1, all of these homes were completed in 1930, or earlier.

180 Lewiston – 1922 – Designed by Marcus Burrowes
180 Lewiston was designed by Marcus Burrowes for Cameron Currie, a respected businessman within the city. The formal Georgian residence is built of brick, with a striking limestone entrance. The property includes all the classic traits one would expect to find in a Georgian residence constructed during the 1920’s - large windows on the first…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Lewiston Road – Part 1

Last week we went to Grosse Pointe City to explore the picturesque street of Village Lane, located between Cadieux and Notre Dame. The historic properties, completed before 1930, provide an eclectic mix of architectural styles from traditional Clapboard Colonial though to an English cottage style residence.

This week we turn our attention to a rather prominent road in Grosse Pointe Farms, Lewiston, in part one of a two-part series. During the first half of the 20th century, an era of substantial residential growth in Grosse Pointe Farms, Lewiston Road became the location of multiple impactful homes that were created by some of Detroit’s most distinguished architects. In part one, we will take a look at the first block, located between Grosse Pointe…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Village Lane

Last week we presented 35 Fisher Road. Completed in 1909, by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, 35 Fisher Road started out as Grosse Pointe’s first telephone exchange for the Home Telephone Company. After serving the community for around eight years it is now a stunning historic home.

This week we stay in Grosse Pointe City and head to the picturesque street of Village Lane, located between Cadieux and Notre Dame. The properties on Village Lane were created in two different eras - the even numbered historic homes completed during the 1920’s, and the odd numbered modern Colonial homes built in the late 1940’s. It is the history of the earlier properties that we will be focusing on.

The historic homes on Village Lane have double digit numbers today,…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 35 Fisher Road

Last week we explored 223 Lake Shore, a lost estate that was commissioned by John Francis Dodge, in 1918, but was never fully completed. Located on an 11-acre lot, Mr. Dodge hired Smith, Hinchman & Grylls to design a lavish home to be one of the finest in the country. It was demolished in 1941. 

This week we are going to feature another creation by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls – 35 Fisher Road. From what we can determine 35 Fisher Road, completed in 1909, was one of Smith, Hinchman & Grylls earliest projects in Grosse Pointe.

35 Fisher Road started out as Grosse Pointe’s first telephone exchange, for the Home Telephone Company, serving the community for around eight years. At the time of completion, the floor plan was designed solely for commercial…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Lost Estate, 223 Lake Shore

Last week we profiled the work of Harlow N. Davock. He designed at least five homes in Grosse Pointe from 1913 through to 1920, including four homes on Washington as part of the ‘Grosse Pointe Colony’ development in Grosse Pointe City.

This week we head to 223 Lake Shore, a lost estate that was commissioned by John Francis Dodge, in 1918, but was never fully completed.

John Francis Dodge hired the firm of Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, in 1918, to design what was intended to be the largest residence in the Detroit Area. Located on an 11 acre, 376’ x 1200 feet lot, Dodge had planned for the lavish home to be one of the “finest in the country”. 

According to research in Tonnancour it is understood the project was assigned to Bloodgood Tuttle, (of…

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