Real Estate Blog

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 1041 Lochmoor

Happy 2025!

In the last post of 2024, we explored the traditions of Eleanor Ford in decorating her grand home at Gaukler Pointe for the holiday season.

For our first post of the new year, we are going to visit a special home for one of our regular readers. 1041 Lochmoor belonged to the grandfather of Annie Corrick Marcus, who has followed our blog for several years. It is a splendid Tudor residence completed in 1923, by architects Herman & Simons for renowned builder John A. Corrick. John was Annie’s grandfather.

During his career, John Augustus Corrick was a respected figure in the city of Detroit. He was a talented man, who as a builder not only executed the architect ‘s wishes but worked with some of the finest materials of the time,…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Eleanor Ford’s Christmas Decorations

Last week we visited 35 McKinley Place, a stately home completed by the renowned architects Chittenden and Kotting in 1909, for Detroit millionaire and philanthropist David Gray.

This week, its Christmas Eve so we thought it would be fun to bring you a festive themed post as we explore Eleanor Ford’s Christmas decorations at her grand home on Gaukler Pointe.

In December 1929, Edsel and Eleanor Ford moved into their magnificent estate at 1100 Lake Shore Drive, designed by Albert Kahn. Construction of the sixty-room house began in 1926 and took three years to complete – one year for the house, and two years to custom fit the numerous antique interior elements the Ford’s had sourced from all over the world. They had hired the best designer’s…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 35 McKinley

Last week we presented the history of another lost estate, 421 Lake Shore. Completed in 1914, this sublime home was designed by Chittenden and Kotting for Lieutenant Colonel Jessie Brooks Nichols. It was razed during the 1950’s.

This week we stay with the work of Chittenden and Kotting as we visit 35 McKinley Place, a stately home completed by the firm in 1909, for Detroit millionaire and philanthropist David Gray. Image (above and below) courtesy of: The American Architect (February 1917)

Chittenden and Kotting first began working together in 1903.Both men had reputations as incredibly skilled designers. Alpheus Chittenden is credited with designing the Detroit Boat Club on Belle Isle, and the Detroit Stove Works plant, along with many…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 421 Lake Shore

Last week we reviewed the story of Henry Shelden and his stunning “Deeplands” property. Completed in 1911, the grand estate was located at 525 Lake Shore. It was razed in 1947.

This week we stay on Lake Shore to present the history of another lost estate, 421 Lake Shore. Completed in 1914, this sublime home was designed by Alpheus Chittenden and Charles Kotting for capitalist and prominent clubman Lieutenant Colonel Jessie Brooks Nichols. It was razed during the 1950’s. 

421 Lakeshore, “The Cedars” was an immense 20,000 sq ft mansion. It was situated on around 8 acres, that stretched all the way from Lake Shore to Kercheval. The grounds had 300 feet of frontage on both Jefferson and Grosse Pointe Boulevard with a depth of around 1,150 feet. The…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Henry Shelden

Last week we explored the history of 1008 Buckingham, a magnificent home designed by Louis Kamper. It was completed in 1921-1922 for Kurt Kling, a prominent figure in Detroit and the P. H. Kling Brewing Company.

Over the past few weeks, we have presented the history of several prominent figures and the grand estates they commissioned, including William Crowley, Herbert V. Book, and Kurt Kling. This week we continue the theme as we explore the home of Henry Shelden and his stunning “Deeplands” property, razed in 1947.

 Henry Dusenbury Shelden was a Detroit industrialist who was born in Portville, N.Y on 17 June 1862. He attended Yale College, where he studied law. Upon graduation he was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1887. That same year he…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe - 1008 Buckingham

Last week we presented the history of 15440 Windmill Pointe, designed by renowned architect Louis Kamper for Herbert V. Book in 1921. The fantastic French Chateaux, one of the finest homes to have graced Grosse Pointe, was razed in 1978 after a fire.

This week we stay with the work of Louis Kamper as we head to 1008 Buckingham, Grosse Pointe Park. This magnificent home was completed in 1921-1922 for Kurt Kling, of the P. H. Kling Brewing Company.

1008 Buckingham is a fine English Tudor style stately home. The 4,140 sq ft residence was designed by one of the most impactful designers to have graced Detroit. As with any residence designed by Kamper, the architectural detailing inside and out is second to none. The home is filled with high ceilings,…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 15440 Windmill Pointe

Last week we presented the work of respected architect F. Gordon Pickell. Mr. Pickell not only designed the magnificent 246 Lakeland, but he also created two fine homes on University Place.

As part of our research, we discovered 354 University Place (designed by Mr. Pickell) was once owned by Frank Palms Book, a descendent of one of Grosse Pointe’s Oldest families. Mr. Book was the son of Dr. James B. Book, a wealthy Detroit landowner for whom the Book Building is named. Frank Book was a leading Detroit real estate developer who helped maintain the Book Estate. His younger brother, Herbert Vivian Book, was the former owner of 15440 Windmill Pointe, the fantastic French Chateaux that was razed in 1978. So, this week, we are going to delve deeper…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Architect F. Gordon Pickell

Last week we presented the history of the Crowley family and the two stunning homes on Lakeland that were once owned by Joseph and Daniel Crowley – 203 and 243 Lakeland. 

This week we stay on Lakeland to look at the work of respected architect F. Gordon Pickell. Mr. Pickell not only designed the magnificent 246 Lakeland, but he also created two fine homes on University Place.

F. Gorden Pickell was born in Jackson, Mississippi on February 3, 1881. He studied architecture in New York, Philadelphia and London. It is believed he began his architectural career in Philadelphia, where he worked for several firms, before relocating to Detroit around 1909. He quickly became a respected architect in the city and became the first president of the American…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Crowley Family

Last week we explored the history of 28 Beverly Road, a superb example of a Mission Revival style home designed by Alpheus W. Chittenden for banker William P. Hamilton in 1911/1912.

A couple of weeks ago we presented the history of 44 Beverly Road that was completed for the younger of the Crowley brothers, William. This week we will take a closer look at the Crowley family and the two stunning homes on Lakeland that were once owned by Joseph and Daniel Crowley. The father of the three brothers was Conellus Crowley.

In 1825, Conellus Crowley was born in County Kerry in Ireland. It was reported “Mr. Crowley, left Ireland around 1844 as part of a huge wave of Europeans, chiefly Irish and German, who came to the United States in the mid1800s to…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 28 Beverly Road

Last week we stopped by 44 Beverly Road, completed in 1916-1917 for William Cornelius Crowley. It is believed this outstanding limestone clad home was architect Richard Raseman’s first residential project in Grosse Pointe.

This week we stay on Beverly Road and head further down the street to number 28. Completed in 1911/1912, this distinctive Mission Revival style home was designed by Alpheus W. Chittenden for Detroit banker William Pegram Hamilton.

It is believed 28 Beverly, and 40 Beverly are the earliest houses built on Beverly Road. Both were constructed in 1911/12, part of the original Beverly Park sub-division that was platted by Henry B. Joy in 1910. 28 Beverly is a one of a kind 8,656 sq ft home that is a superb example of the Mission…

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