Last week we visited Country Club Lane to explore three grand neighboring homes that were all completed in 1927 – numbers 381, 391, and 411 Country Club Lane.

This week we head to the magnificent 24 Beverly Road, designed by George W. Graves for Harriet N. Atterbury – it was completed in 1914. 24 Beverly Road is located at the end of this prestigious dead end street, next to the iconic gates that were designed by Albert Kahn. The 5,976 Sq ft asymmetrical English Revival home, with a slate hip roof, is set back from the road thus creating a large space in front and to the side of the house. The property has fabulous artistic detailing inside and out. The dominating exterior feature is the striking two-story oriel window (a form of bay window, which…

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Last week we explored some fine examples of Craftsman style homes found around the Grosse Pointe communities – 844 Barrington, 1030 Nottingham, and 849 Notre Dame.

This week we head to Country Club Lane to explore three grand neighboring homes that were all completed in 1927, by two prestigious architects. Welcome to 381, 391, and 411 Country Club Lane.

Country Club Lane is located on the edge of the Country Club of Detroit, and is accessed via Moross, Lakeview Ave, and Country Club Drive. It is home to seven residences that were built between 1840 through to 1970. However, it is the three homes that are located on the west side of the road that we will be focusing on.

J. Ivan Dise designed two of the homes. The majority of Dise’s commissions…

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Last week we explored the work of Hugh T. Keyes on Woodland Place. Keyes not only designed one home, 5 Woodland Place, he was also hired to transform two existing older residences – 7 and 2 Woodland Place - to make them more suitable for modern living.

This week we would like to present some fine examples of Craftsman style homes that can be found around the Grosse Pointe communities. 

The American Craftsman style came to fruition towards the end of the 19th century. It is an American domestic architectural style, inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement in Europe. Prior to its emergence Victorian and Shingle style homes were particularly popular in Grosse Pointe and in many parts of the United States. The Victorian and Shingle architectural…

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Last week we continued the story of Cox & Baker with a review of Crescent Lane – the quiet street filled with many mid-century modern Cox & Baker homes - built from the mid 1950’s to the early 1960’s. 

This week we explore the work of Hugh T. Keyes on Woodland Place. Woodland Place, once a heavily wooded area on the shores of Lake St. Clair, is a narrow street, paved with bricks. It is home to eight unique residences. The majority of the homes were designed and completed during the 1920’s by a handful of noted architects – William B. Stratton, Hugh T. Keyes, and Robert O. Derrick. Keyes not only designed one home, 5 Woodland Place, he was also hired to transform two existing older residences – 7 Woodland Place and 2 Woodland Place - to make them…

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Last week we presented a Mid-Century Modern model “Holiday House” designed by William F. Baker, built by Cox & Baker in 1956 – 501 Ballantyne.

This week we continue the story of Cox & Baker as we take a look at Crescent Lane – the quiet street filled with many mid-century modern Cox & Baker homes. Crescent Lane is part of the Hunt Club subdivision off of Cook Road in Grosse Pointe Woods. It is the location of around 26 homes. Cox & Baker designed and built all but two of the properties on Crescent Lane, from the mid 1950’s to the early 1960’s.

The following homes are examples of some of the modern Ranch style properties that were built on the sub division, beginning in 1955. 

Constructed between 1955 and 1959

985 Crescent Lane (original…

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Last week we presented the Regency Moderne style of Hugh T. Keyes and his creation at 60 Renaud, in 1939, for Richard P. Joy. Jr. - a member of the prominent Joy family. 

This week we stay with the modern approach as we present a Mid-Century Modern model 'Holiday House' designed by William F. Baker, built by Cox & Baker in 1956, – welcome to 501 Ballantyne. 

Bill Baker (as he was known by many) was a prolific designer, builder and developer in Grosse Pointe. During his career he designed and/or built over 1000 custom homes throughout the Grosse Pointe communities. He was born in Detroit in 1926, and graduated from Lawrence Tech. He also studied architectural rendering and watercolor painting at Cranbrook. Bill was a Veteran of the U.S. Air…

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Last week we presented the story of the early summer homes built in Grosse Pointe by the prominent industrialists who desired seasonal residences next to the lake in “The Pointe” as it was known 120 years ago. Source: Thomas A. Arbaugh, Tonnancour, Volume II. 

This week we leave the late 19th century and jump forward to 1939, - to the Regency Moderne style of Hugh T. Keyes – welcome to 60 Renaud.

60 Renaud, completed in 1939, was created in Keyes signature Regency Moderne approach. The 4,500ft home is constructed of white brick had a flat roof, ornate detailing, a colonnaded front portico, and delicate iron gates and railings.  The ‘Joy House’ also featured a large central window - an early example of what would become Keyes ‘signature element’…

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Last week we presented the ‘Lake Terrace’ residences of John S. Newberry Sr. and Senator James McMillan. The two men were pivotal in the industrial growth of Detroit and inspiring the residential transformation of Grosse Pointe as an exclusive summer location for wealthy families from Detroit. 

This week we continue the story of the early summer homes built in Grosse Pointe with a review of the prominent industrialists who followed the example of John S. Newberry and James McMillan by having year-round homes on East Jefferson, and seasonal residences next to the lake in “The Pointe” as it was known 120 years ago. Source: Thomas A. Arbaugh, Tonnancour, Volume II.

The majority of these summer dwellings were built towards the end of the 19th…

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Last week we reviewed the work of Ernest Wilby, a talented designer who was arguably best known for the buildings he created during his time as Albert Kahn’s chief designer from 1903 until 1918. In 1911, Wilby with Albert Kahn completed 99 Lake Shore Drive, completed in 1911 for John S. Newberry Jr. 

This week we stay with the Newberry Family and the ‘Lake Terrace’ residences that were owned by close friends and founders of the Michigan Car Works, Congressman John S. Newberry Sr. and Senator James McMillan. 

Towards the end of the 19th century John S. Newberry and James McMillan played a key role in developing the residential growth of Grosse Pointe, and the industrial growth in Detroit. In 1875, having purchased numerous French strip farms in…

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Last week we presented 16632 E. Jefferson. Located on the shores of Lake St. Clair the traditional Tudor Revival home was commissioned by Edgar Bowen in 1926, and designed by Wallace Frost. 

This week we would like to introduce you to the work of Ernest Wilby, a talented designer who was arguably best known for the buildings he created during his time as Albert Kahn’s chief designer from 1903 until 1918. During this time he was associated with at least three stunning homes in the Grosse Pointe community between 1905 and 1911. Sadly all three homes have now been demolished.

Ernest Wilby was born in Yorkshire, England in 1869. During his career he worked with numerous architects in Toronto, London, New York City, and Detroit. Having graduated from…

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