Last week we explored 470 Washington. This uniquely styled 2,754 sq ft English Tudor home was completed in 1918, by architect J. Will Wilson for himself and built by the H. A. Jones Construction Company. What makes this property architecturally distinctive is the steep shingle thatched roof – a unique feature on numerous homes in the Grosse Pointe communities. 

This week we delve into the history of Colonial Revival Architecture, one of the most popular architectural styles throughout Grosse Pointe. Colonial Revival architecture has been described as one of the most widespread and well-known residential architectural trends in America’s history. The approach was particularly popular from 1910–1930, ‘during this period the Colonial Revival movement…

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Last week we concluded our exploration of the Hill as we presented the story of the Grosse Pointe Central Library. Completed in 1953, the library was designed by Hungarian born, New-York based architect Marcel Breuer – one of the world's most popular architects at the peak of 20th-century design. It is believed the library was one of Breuer’s first major public commissions in the United States and his only building in Metro Detroit.

This week we head to 470 Washington. This uniquely styled 2,754 sq ft English Tudor home was completed in 1918, by architect J. Will Wilson for himself and built by the H. A. Jones Construction Company. What makes this property architecturally distinctive is the steep shingle thatched roof. Another feature that makes…

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Last week we returned to the Hill to continue our presentation of the historic commercial district with the story of the Punch and Judy Theater. The theater, located at 17 Kercheval Avenue, opened in January 1930. The opening not only marked the beginning of the theater, but of the Hill business district in general which then began to gradually spread north towards Muir Road as more businesses began moving in. 

This week we conclude our exploration of the Hill as we take a visit to the Grosse Pointe Central Library. Completed in 1953, the library was designed by Hungarian born, New-York based architect Marcel Breuer – one of the world's most popular architects at the peak of 20th-century design. It is believed the library was one of Breuer’s first…

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Last week we presented the story of 1009 Harvard in Grosse Pointe. The 2,993 sq ft brick French Colonial property was designed by prolific architect Carl R. Habermas and built by noted builder, R. C. Ranke. It was completed in 1940. Despite being built over 80 years ago the house, to date, has only had two owners.

This week we return to the Hill to continue our story of this historic commercial district. Over the past couple of weeks, we have explored the history of the Hill along with The Bronze Door restaurant. Now it’s time to look at where it all began with the Punch and Judy Theater. The theater, located at 17 Kercheval Avenue, opened in January 1930, to much fanfare. The opening not only marked the beginning of the theater, but of the Hill…

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Last week we explored the history of The Bronze Door restaurant on The Hill. The origins of The Bronze Door began in 1933, when Joseph Vansinamee opened a beer garden, known as the Punch and Judy bar, in a small building on the space that is now the location of The Bronze Door. Over the next 88 years the restaurant would embark on an incredible, historic, and fascinating journey.

This week we head to 1009 Harvard in Grosse Pointe. The 2,993 sq ft brick built French Colonial property was designed by prolific architect Carl R. Habermas and built by noted builder, R. C. Ranke. It was completed in 1940. Despite being built over 80 years ago the house, to date, has only had two owners.

It is possible the property was built as a speculative home given…

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Last week we presented the story of the Hill, in Grosse Pointe Farms. Located on Kercheval Avenue running from Muir Road to Fisher Road, the small crest of land includes offices, shops, restaurants, and the main branch of the Grosse Pointe Public Library. For over 90 years, this prestigious three-block commercial center has been home to many elite stores and businesses.

Given that there is so much history associated with some of the businesses on the Hill we thought it would be interesting to share some of the stories associated with these establishments, starting with the historic Bronze Door restaurant and bar.

It appears the origins of The Bronze Door began in the 1930’s. During this era the “uptown” area of the Hill was beginning to expand.…

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Last week we brought you the story of 8 Carmel Lane, designed by Albert Kahn in 1912, for prominent businessman Philip H. McMillan. The property was once set on 14 acres. 

This week we move away from residential properties to bring you the story of one of Grosse Pointes most popular and iconic commercial districts – welcome to the story of the Hill. Image courtesy of: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University (1976).

The Hill, in Grosse Pointe Farms, is located on Kercheval Avenue running from Muir Road to Fisher Road. The small crest of land includes offices, shops, restaurants, and the main branch of the Grosse Pointe Public Library. For over 90 years, this prestigious three-block commercial…

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Last week we visited 22 Lee Gate Lane, a one-of-a-kind modern residence designed 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.

This week we are going to bring you the story 8 Carmel Lane, designed by Albert Kahn in 1912, for prominent businessman Philip H. McMillan. While we have featured much of Kahn’s work in Grosse Pointe, this is one of his projects we have yet to cover.

8 Carmel Lane was one of Kahn’s earlier projects in Grosse Pointe, and possibly one of his largest. At the time Albert Kahn was already a well-established architect in the city of Detroit. Under the name of Albert Kahn…

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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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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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