Real Estate Blog

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 16710 E. Jefferson The Old and The New

Last week we explored 1305 Whittier, a charming Tudor home completed in 1927, by Rupert W. Koch for James E. Sheridan.

This week we are going to bring you the story of 16710 E. Jefferson, the old and the new - the original house that was located on the property, the now remodeled residence, and the sub division it became part of. 

Over the past few months we have featured several homes that fall under ‘The Old and the New’ category – residences that once had an historic older property that has either been replaced or been remodeled, including: 735 Lake Shore, 655 Lake Shore, 501-507 Lake Shore (the former Stonehurst Estate), and 824 Lake Shore.

16710 E. Jefferson has had a long and interesting history. Completed in 1896, the property is one…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 1305 Whittier, Grosse Pointe Park

Last week we reviewed the work of Oscar C. Gottesleben & Walter A. Bernardi. Together they designed at least three homes in Grosse Pointe between 1912 through to 1927.

This week we head to 1305 Whittier – located on arguably one of Grosse Pointe’s more prestigious and architecturally interesting streets. Whittier is filled with an abundance of homes created in a broad spectrum of architectural styles by some of Detroit’s leading designer’s including – Richard H. Marr, Clarence E. Day, George V. Pottle, J. H. Gustav Steffens and Charles Kotting. 

1305 Whittier is a charming Tudor home completed in 1927, by Rupert W. Koch for James E. Sheridan. The design of this 3,317 sq ft house is quite unusual in that both the exterior and interior boast a…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to the Work of Gottesleben & Bernardi

Last week we explored 725 Grand Marais. Completed in 1926, the classically styled center entrance Colonial was designed by Charles Kotting for Earle Walter Parcells. 

This week we review the work of Oscar C. Gottesleben & Walter A. Bernardi. Together they designed at least three homes in Grosse Pointe between 1912 through to 1927. 

We can find very little information on Walter A. Bernardi, but we do know Oscar C. Gottesleben was a noted architect in Detroit during the early twentieth century. As a member of the Detroit Architectural Club Gottesleben was associated with several of the cities leading architects of this era such as Marcus Burrowes, Gustav Steffens, Dalton J. V. Snyder, Frank C. Baldwin, and William F. Goodrich. Gottesleben was also…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 725 Grand Marais

Last week we presented 333 Lincoln. Completed in 1918, the magnificent English Tudor style home was designed by George W. Graves for Fanny Judson (Knight) Butler, widow of William Addison Butler Jr. It is one of three impressive residences Graves designed on this noted street. 

This week we visit another standout property – 725 Grand Marais. Distinguished architect Charles Kotting designed it in 1926, for Earle Walter Parcells. 

The street of Grand Marais, in Grosse Pointe Park, has many significant homes in numerous architectural approaches that were created by some of Detroit’s finest designers during the 1920’s and 1930’s. The first property to be built was 732 Grand Marais, completed in 1921. 725 Grand Marais (original address 825 Grand…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 333 Lincoln

Last week we explored 55 Lewiston Rd. Completed in 1942, the striking center entrance Colonial residence was designed by noted architect Frank A. Miles and built by respected builder James J. Monahan for lawyer Frank H. Boos. 

This week we head to 333 Lincoln. Completed in 1918, by George W. Graves, it is one of many impressive residences on this noted street. 

333 Lincoln is a magnificent English Tudor style home. It is located on a large lot on the corner of Lincoln and Maumee. The 7,295 sq ft brick built residence features a dominant limestone framed 2-story window on the front elevation and a steeply pitched slate roof. The exterior is tastefully understated, perfectly in keeping with the Tudor style of this era, while the interior is filled…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 55 Lewiston Road

Last week, in part two of the work by Alden Dow, we presented two further projects he completed in the community – 96 Handy Road and 888 Pemberton.

This week we head to 55 Lewiston Rd. Completed in 1942, this striking center entrance Colonial residence was designed by noted architect Frank A. Miles and built by respected builder James J. Monahan for Frank H. Boos.

During the first half of the 20th century, an era of substantial residential growth in Grosse Pointe Farms, Lewiston Road became the location of numerous impactful homes that were created by some of Detroit’s more noted architects, including:

•        87 and 115 Lewiston - William F. Goodrich, 1919
•        180 Lewiston - Marcus Burrowes, 1922
•        128 Lewiston - Louis…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Work of Alden Dow - Welcome to 96 Handy and 888 Pemberton

Last week, in part one, we introduced the work of Alden B. Dow in Grosse Pointe – with an exploration of 741 Middlesex in Grosse Pointe Park. Completed in 1941, for Robbie Robinson, it relies heavily on Dow’s patented award winning unit block construction method – one of only 13 homes that feature the award wining unit block system.

This week, in part two, we present two further projects Alden Dow completed in the community – welcome to 96 Handy Road and 888 Pemberton.

Dow’s buildings, like those of Frank Lloyd Wright, took much of their styling from the natural environment. He described his own philosophy of design, as “Architecture is more than the front face of the building. It is the location of the building. It is the plan of the building.…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Work of Alden Dow - Welcome to 741 Middlesex

Last week, we explored one of Grosse Pointe’s more noted French Normandy residences – 273 Ridge Road; in Grosse Pointe Farms. This superb example of French Normandy architecture is one of the most distinctive homes in Grosse Pointe. It was completed in 1928, for Owen R. Skelton, chief design engineer at Chrysler, and member of the Automotive Hall of Fame. The design is attributed to Alvin E. Harley. 

This week we begin a two part series on the work of Alden B. Dow in Grosse Pointe - three unique modern homes that are somewhat of a rarity on the east side of Metro Detroit given Dow’s tendency to work on the Westside of the city, Ann Arbor, and primarily in Midland. We will start with 741 Middlesex in Grosse Pointe Park. Completed in 1941, it relies…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 273 Ridge Road

Last week, in part 2 of relocated, we presented two historic properties that were relocated within Grosse Pointe – they have been fully maintained, restored, and stand today as a reminder of the communities architectural origins in the early 19th century.

This week we head to one of Grosse Pointe’s more noted French Normandy residences – 273 Ridge Road, in Grosse Pointe Farms. 

This superb example of French Normandy architecture is one of the most distinctive homes in Grosse Pointe. It was completed in 1928, for Owen R. Skelton, chief design engineer at Chrysler, and member of the Automotive Hall of Fame. The design is attributed to Alvin E. Harley. Image courtesy of Library of Congress. 

273 Ridge Road is a grand 7,437 sq ft residence.…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Relocated - Part 2

Last week, in part 1, we presented two grand properties, once neighboring residences that were located next to the river in Indian Village  - they were relocated brick by brick to Grosse Pointe.

This week we continue the story of homes that have been relocated with two smaller historic properties that have been moved to new location(s). 

A site near Provencal and Lake Shore Road – relocated to 376 Kercheval Avenue 
Part of following research is courtesy of the Grosse Pointe Historical Society. In 1823, Detroiter Pierre Provencal, a Indian Agent turned farmer, constructed a Greek Revival timber framed farmhouse, on a plot near the foot of Provencal, for himself and his wife Euphemia St. Aubin. At the time the couple didn’t have any children of…

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