Real Estate Blog

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Work of Harlow N. Davock

Last week we explored 10 Provencal. Located at the foot of the hill on this prestigious road in Grosse Pointe Farms, the International style home was completed in 1937. Giffels & Vallet Inc., L. Rosetti designed the property for Le Roy Ernest Swift and his wife Marjorie I. McMillan. 

This week we turn our attention to the work of Harlow N. Davock. He designed at least five homes in Grosse Pointe from 1913 through to 1920. As with so many designers who worked in the community during the early 20th century Mr. Davock had to compete for attention alongside Detroit’s nationally acclaimed architects – the likes of Albert Kahn, Louis Kamper, William B. Stratton and C. Howard Craine to name but a few. Davock, along with many other lesser-known yet equally…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 10 Provencal

Last week we presented the lost estate 10 Moross – on the corner of Moross and Lake Shore. It is believed this once grand home was designed in the early 20th century (around 1905) by Louis Kamper and razed in 1968.

This week we head to another prominent street off of Lake Shore to explore 10 Provencal, located at the foot of the hill of this prestigious road in Grosse Pointe Farms. The International style home was completed in 1937. Giffels & Vallet Inc., L. Rosetti designed the property for Le Roy Ernest Swift and his wife Marjorie I. McMillan. John Weinhandt built it.

10 Provencal is constructed from concrete and steel with a smooth, untextured flat surface. Large windows and sweeping balconies dominate the front elevation, as does the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to the Lost Estate, 10 Moross

Last week we explored 130 Kenwood, completed in 1926. J. Ivan Dise designed the English Tudor style home for Luther David Thomas. It is one of the larger Dise homes in Grosse Pointe.

This week we head to a lost estate, 10 Moross – on the corner of Moross and Lake Shore. It is believed this once grand home was designed in the early 20th century (around 1905) by Louis Kamper and razed in 1968.

Born in Bavaria, Germany in 1861, Louis Kamper emigrated to the U.S with his family in 1880. He arrived in Detroit in 1888, and quickly established himself on the architectural scene, joining the firm of Scott & Scott, becoming partner within a year. The majority of Kamper’s career focused largely on two areas — designing magnificent residences for the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 130 Kenwood

Last week we introduced you to the work of Arthur Knox Hyde. During his career Arthur K. Hyde was associated with some of the finest architects in Detroit and was a former partner of William B. Stratton. He created at least four homes in Grosse Pointe. 

This week we head to 130 Kenwood, completed in 1926. J. Ivan Dise designed the English Tudor style home for Luther David Thomas. It is one of the larger Dise homes in Grosse Pointe. 

The original address of 130 Kenwood was 50 Kenwood – post 1930, many house numbers on this street were changed. The 7,256 sq ft residence is constructed from brick with a steeply pitched slate roof. The impactful exterior features an elaborate oversized entrance with a recessed limestone porch, with seating, to the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Work of Arthur Knox Hyde

Last week we explored the history of the golf course at Lochmoor Club. The utmost attention was given to the planning of the course that would be regarded as a full championship course. At the time, it was intended the course to be ranked among the best in the country - the course opened for play in June 1918. Renowned architect William B. Stratton completed the clubhouse that same year.

This week we would like to introduce you to Arthur Knox Hyde - a former partner of William B. Stratton – and the four projects he completed with David H. Williams, Jr.

Arthur K. Hyde was born in 1895. Having graduated from the University of Michigan he became a registered architect in Michigan in 1925. During his career he was associated with some of the finest…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Lochmoor Golf Course

Last week we presented the story of the original clubhouse at Lochmoor Club. It was designed by William B. Stratton and Dalton J. Snyder, and completed in 1917-1918. It was demolished in 1924, because of a fire and a new clubhouse was built and opened later that year.

This week we continue the story of Lochmoor as we explore the history of the golf course. In 1917, a group of Detroit golf enthusiasts reportedly purchased 135 acres of farmland for the club to be located. When Lochmoor Club opened for play in June 1918, the club received Certificate No. 173 of Active Membership in the United States Golf Association. That same year the clubhouse was completed. Travis Beaupre, John H. Sweeny and the consulting architect Walter J. Travis (three-time…

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How to Buy a Home in a Sellers Market

According to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors... “Home sales continue to ascend in the first month of the year, as buyers quickly snatched up virtually every new listing coming on the market. Sales easily could have been even 20% higher if there had been more inventory and more choices.” said Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.

So how do you buy a home in a sellers market?

Many articles offer advice on what the seller should do, but in this increasingly aggressive market place it is just as important to focus on what the buyer should do.

If you are planning on buying a home in the near future, it is imperative you have a trusted advisor to guide you through the home buying process. With homes receiving multiple offers…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Lochmoor Club - The Original Clubhouse

Last week we presented 938 Three Mile Drive the former home of prominent Detroit architect William Buck Stratton and his wife Mary Chase Perry Stratton, co-founder of the Pewabic Pottery. 

This week we stay with the work of William B. Stratton to focus on his design for Lochmoor Club, completed between 1917-18. At the time Stratton had formed a partnership with Dalton J. Snyder. The duo worked together from 1915 – 1925, and completed several homes in Grosse Pointe, including 365 University Place, 341 Lakeland, and 15366 Windmill Pointe. 

Dalton J. Snyder, born in 1880, was an extremely talented designer and had a productive career. His work covered a broad-spectrum of projects, including several prestigious residences, in Grosse Pointe and…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 938 Three Mile Drive

Last week we explored 16628 E. Jefferson – the sublime French Normandy style home completed in 1927, for Julian P. Bowen. The 8,974 sq ft home is arguably Wallace Frost’s most noted work in Grosse Pointe

This week we head to Three Mile Drive to take a look at number 938 - the former home of prominent Detroit architect William B. Stratton and his wife Mary Chase Perry Stratton, co-founder of the Pewabic Pottery. 

William B. Stratton was one of the most influential architects in Detroit during the early 20th Century. He worked with some of the best designers in the city and often played a big part in influencing trends. It is believed William Buck Stratton first appeared in the Detroit City directory in 1889, while he was working as a draughtsman…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 16628 E. Jefferson

Last week we presented 70 Lake Shore a striking English Tudor inspired home built in 1908. 70 Lake Shore was sold for the final time in 1988. It was demolished in the early 1990’s and the land listed for sale. 

This week we stay next to the lake as we head to 16628 E. Jefferson – the sublime French Normandy style home completed in 1927, for Julian P. Bowen. The 8,974 sq ft home is arguably Wallace Frost’s most noted work in Grosse Pointe. 

16628 E, Jefferson is a spectacular home with a wonderful view of Lake St. Clair from the house, and from the English inspired sunken gardens.  Constructed of brick, with stucco and a steep slate roof, the front elevation is dominated by the two-story tower with its conical roof that is positioned in the…

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