Real Estate Blog - Kay Agney

Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Schaap Center

Last week we profiled another architect who was known nationally, yet not locally in Metro Detroit – Paul Rudolph. He came to Grosse Pointe in 1970 to create 3 Cameron Place for Dr. Frank Parcells. It was the only home he created in Michigan.

This week we stop by Grosse Pointes newest building, the A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Center for the Performing Arts. This stunning structure opened a couple of weeks ago (May 2026) and is now welcoming guests to enjoy performances and art displays in the Richard and Jane Manoogian Art gallery.

The Building
The Schaap Center is a world class performing arts center – it is 49,000 square feet, with 435 seats, state-of-the-art-lighting, world-class acoustics, and a temperature-controlled gallery. The design is…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Architect Paul Rudolph

Last week we continued with the theme of introducing a nationally known designer, with the one and only project Gavin Hadden worked on in Grosse Pointe – The Tennis House for the Ford Family, which opened for play in January 1936. 

This week we continue with the theme, by profiling another architect who was known nationally, yet not locally in Metro Detroit – Paul Rudolph. He came to Grosse Pointe in 1970 to create 3 Cameron Place for Dr. Frank Parcells, his wife Anne and their five children. It was the only home he created in Michigan. 

3 Cameron Place, a sculpture-like structure was built in 1970, and before the Parcells commenced with the build the family reportedly attended numerous open houses in the suburbs of western Detroit to “conduct…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Architect Gavin Hadden

Last week we continued with the theme of introducing a nationally known designer, with the one and only project Harrie T. Lindeberg worked on in Grosse Pointe - 481 Kercheval in 1935 for Ruby Boyer Miller.

This week we continue with the theme, by profiling another architect who was known nationally, yet not locally in Metro Detroit – Gavin Hadden – best known for creating sports stadiums and buildings across the United States during the 1920’s and 1930’s. He came to Grosse Pointe in the 1930’s to create his one and only project in the community, the Tennis House, which was located at 360 Moselle Place. It was razed in 2018. Image courtesy of Grosse Pointe Historical Society.

Nestled on a quiet street the Tennis House was a rare and…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Architect Harrie T. Lindberg

Last week we began to introduce some extremely talented, yet lesser-known designers who worked throughout Metro Detroit during the 1920’s – 1930’s, starting with Rupert Koch. 

This week we continue with the theme, by profiling another architect who was probably more known nationally, than he was locally in Metro Detroit - Harrie T. Lindeberg - best known for designing spectacular country houses in the United States for prominent families. He came to Grosse Pointe in the 1930’s to create his one and only project in the community, 481 Kercheval (formerly 50 Provencal). Photo courtesy of: Realtor.com

The son of Swedish parents, Harrie Thomas Lindeberg was born in New Jersey on April 10, 1879. He studied architecture at the National Academy of…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Rupert W. Koch

Last week we concluded our two-part series on the historic street of Rivard with some wonderful homes constructed between 1924 – 1930. 

This week we will begin introducing some extremely talented, yet lesser-known designers who worked throughout Metro Detroit during the 1920’s – 1930’s. We start with the sublime work of Rupert Koch.

Rupert Koch was born in Ann Arbor on September 25, 1885. He was a graduate of the University of Michigan and spent most of his career based in Ann Arbor, however much of his work was in Metro Detroit. During his career he was a well-respected architect who worked on several acclaimed assignments along with multiple residential projects. One of his grand designs was the mansion he created for Leander J. Hoover, 1918.…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Rivard, Part 2

Last week we began a two-part series on the historic street of Rivard. In part 1 we gave a brief history of the Rivard family, followed by a presentation of some of the earliest homes, constructed between 1918 and 1922.

This week we conclude the series as we explore the homes constructed between 1924 – 1930.Rivard is a particularly interesting road, given the clear transition in architectural styles - from the early clapboard Colonial homes through to the English Tudor and brick residences built during the mid-late 1920’s. 

Most of the clapboard Colonial homes are located on the block between Kercheval and St. Paul. However, once you leave this block and travel further up or down Rivard it is clear the homes constructed during the latter half of…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Rivard, Part 1

Last week we visited 487 Rivard, one of the finest examples of a clapboard Colonial home in Grosse Pointe. It was completed in 1919, by Esselstyn, Murphy & Hanford for Bernhard Stroh Jr., former president of the Stroh Brewery Company.

This week we stay on Rivard to begin a two-part series on this historic street. In part 1 of our series we begin with a brief history of the Rivard family, followed by an exploration of some of the earliest homes, constructed between 1918 and 1922.

As with so many of the streets in Grosse Pointe, there is a rich, and checkered past. Many of the streets are named after an historic figure who has had an influence on the area or after a prominent family who have resided in the community. Some of the streets are named…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 487 Rivard

Last week we presented some of the work by Bailey and Middleditch who created many fine houses in Metro Detroit during the 1920’s. Bailey had a fine reputation for designing high-end, detailed Tudor Revival homes which included three on University Place and one on Rivard.

In 1928, Bailey and Middleditch designed 582 Rivard, which is a superb example of clapboard Colonial home in keeping with the style of the large homes that were being constructed on Rivard during this era. So, this week we are going to explore another fine example of a clapboard Colonial home on Rivard – number 487. This historic house was completed by Esselstyn, Murphy & Hanford for Bernhard Stroh Jr., former president of the Stroh Brewery Company.

487 Rivard was…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe - Bailey & Middleditch

Last week we stopped by 61 Moross a rather handsome English Cottage style home, completed in 1925, most likely for the legendary baseball player Ty Cobb.

This week we look at the work of one of the lesser-known architectural/building firms, Bailey & Middleditch, who designed and/or built several homes in Grosse Pointe during the late 1920’s, including at least three sublime homes on University Place.

Rufus Arthur Bailey & Leigh Middleditch was a prominent design and construction firm in Detroit. It is understood R. A. Bailey was born in Lansing on 6 May 1867. He began his architectural career by working in the office of his brother, who was a leading architect in Lansing, where he spent four years. At the age of 21 he moved to Detroit where he…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 61 Moross

Last week we turned our attention to one of Grosse Pointes lost estates – 431 Lake Shore. This once grand home was completed in 1914, by the nationally renowned architectural firm Smith, Hinchman & Grylls for William P. Stevens, an industrial developer. It was demolished in the fall of 2001.

This week we head to 61 Moross a rather handsome English Cottage style home, completed in 1925, possibly for the legendary baseball player Ty Cobb.

Grosse Pointe is known for its prominent families who once made their home in the community. Some of these families, at the time, were nationally renowned figures, and over the years has included several high-profile baseball stars including

•        Kirk Gibson – 40 Sunningdale
•        Lawrence Roehm – 354…

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