Real Estate Blog - Kay Agney

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe –109 Kenwood

Happy 2026!

In our last post of 2025, we presented the history of the “Christmas Walk.” Beginning in 1960, it became an annual event that opened some wonderfully decorated homes to the public in Grosse Pointe and Bloomfield-Hills to benefit the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. It was incredibly popular and ran until the late 1970's.

For our first post of the new year, we are going to visit a magnificent home in Grosse Pointe Farms – 109 Kenwood. Completed in 1929, it was designed by the “Dean of Detroit Architects”, Geroge D. Mason for Lynn McNaughton, vice president in charge of sales at Cadillac.

109 Kenwood is a 10,518 sq ft residence, and arguably one of the grandest homes in Grosse Pointe Farms. It was one of the largest homes George Mason…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Christmas Walk

Last week we presented the story of the weathervane that once graced the roof of 248 Provencal - 5ft tall, a rare and elegant figure of an Indian chief hoisting a bow. In 2006 it became the most expensive weathervane in the world when it sold at auction for $5.84m at Sotheby’s.

This week we present the history of the “Christmas Walk”. An annual event that opened some wonderfully decorated homes to the public in Grosse Pointe and Bloomfield-Hills, to benefit the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

The Christmas Walk event began in December 1960. Presented in the Detroit Free Press, it was reported “The old-fashioned Christmas Walk mapped by the Junior Women’s Association for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra is a “first” that should – hopefully – become a…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The World’s Most Expensive Weathervane

Last week we visited a stunning Georgian Colonial style home – 160 Provencal. It was originally commissioned by Inez Chapin, however, following her death before it was finished it was completed by our founder Hugo Higbie and his wife Marian Chapin (Inez’s daughter) in 1957.

This week we look at the history of a rather stunning weathervane that once graced the roof of 248 Provencal. In 2006 it became the most expensive weathervane in the world when it was sold at auction for nearly $6m.

There are many stunning weathervanes in Grosse Pointe, situated on the roofs and cupolas of some of the magnificent homes in the community. Once such example is the molded copper weathervane that was once situated on the roof of 248 Provencal – 5ft tall, a rare…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 160 Provencal

Last week we concluded our series on the Robert O. Derrick designed homes on Provencal. He created six in total, more than any other architect.

This week we stay on Provencal as we visit a stunning Georgian Colonial style home – 160 Provencal was completed by HMA’s founder Hugo Higbie and his wife Marian Chapin in 1957.

160 Provencal was originally commissioned by Inez Chapin, it is not known who the architect was. Mrs. Chapin was the wife of Roy Chapin Sr. and the mother of Marian Chapin who was married to Hugo Higbie. The elder Chapin’s, Roy and Inez, built a stunning Georgian style home on Lake Shore in 1927 (457 Lake Shore, demolished in 1983) – you can read the full story by clicking here). Image courtesy of: digital.library.wayne.edu/…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Robert O. Derrick Homes on Provencal – Part 2

Last week we continued with the work of Robert O. Derrick, as we stopped by 97 Touraine. This stunning Georgian style home was completed in 1929, for stockbroker Howard Bennett.

This week we return to Robert O. Derrick’s work on Provencal. We recently covered four homes he created, and now we explore two further properties – 290 Provencal and 274 Provencal. This makes six homes in total on this special road - more than any other architect.

290 Provencal
290 Provencal was completed in 1924, by Robert O. Derrick for Hiram H. Walker II, and his wife Elizabeth Stroh. Prior to moving into their new home on Provencal, the couple resided at a gracious home in Indian Village - 1441 Burns - designed by Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls. His grandfather, Hiram…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 97 Touraine

Last week we reviewed Robert O. Derrick’s work on Provencal – 23 Provencal, 248 Provencal (now razed), 214 Provencal, and 204 Provencal (now razed). Derrick was one of a handful of architects to design multiple homes on this street.

This week we continue with the work of Robert O. Derrick, as we stop by 97 Touraine. This stunning Georgian style home was completed in 1929, for stockbroker, Howard Bennett. 

As a prolific architect in Grosse Pointe, Derrick played a pivotal role in helping transform the architectural scene in Grosse Pointe from the 1920’s onwards. He specialized in creating large formal residences for prominent clientele who were looking for ‘something spectacular’. Arguably Derricks most productive and defining era occurred in the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Robert O. Derrick Homes on Provencal - Part 1

Last week we reviewed Hugh T. Keyes work on the prestigious street of Provencal – 34 Provencal (extensive alterations), 260 Provencal (now razed) and 344 Provencal.

This week, we continue the theme of multiple homes created by a single architect on this significant street with the work of local architect Robert O. Derrick – 23 Provencal, 290 Provencal, 274 Provencal, 248 Provencal (now razed), 214 Provencal, and 204 Provencal (now razed).

HMA is a huge fan of the work by this skilled architect and has sold many homes Robert O. Derrick designed, including the exquisite 211 Vendome. As a prolific architect in the community, Derrick played a pivotal role in helping transform the architectural scene in Grosse Pointe during the 1920’s. He specialized…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Hugh T. Keyes Homes on Provencal

Last week we explored the homes in Grosse Pointe Elma Mennen and her husband, Henry Williams, had Hugh T. Keyes design for them – 344 Provencal and 35 Tonnancour Place. 

This week we look at Hugh T. Keyes work on the prestigious street of Provencal – 34 Provencal (extensive alterations), 260 Provencal (now razed) and 344 Provencal.

A noted early 20th century architect, Hugh T. Keyes was a prolific designer of fine homes in the Grosse Pointes and was arguably one of the most diverse architects to ply his trade in the community. Keyes was a phenomenal designer and is considered one of the most versatile architects to work in southeastern Michigan. He was born in Trenton, MI in 1888, and studied architecture at Harvard University. After graduating…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Homes of Elma Mennen

Last week we concluded our series on the history of the former “Tonnancour” estate as we explored one of the new sub-divisions located on the former 63-acre property – Tonnancour Place. This prestigious street in Grosse Pointe Farms is now the location of many fine residences, which over the years have had several notable residents.

The week we delve deeper into the history of one of the residents of Tonnancour Place, Elma C. Mennen, and take a look at the two stunning homes she had constructed in Grosse Pointe. Both were designed by the renowned architect, Hugh T. Keyes.

Elma Christina Mennen was a prominent figure in the City of Detroit. Born in Newark in 1885, she came from a prosperous family - her father, Gerhard Heinrich Mennen, founded…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Tonnancour Place

Last week we continued with the story of the “Tonnancour” estate as we looked at another home built on the property - 383 Lake Shore - which was originally built for Mr. Hall’s widow and would ultimately become the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb.

This week we conclude our series on the history of the former “Tonnancour” estate as we explore one of the new sub-divisions located on the former 63-acre property – Tonnancour Place. This prestigious street in Grosse Pointe Farms is now the location of many fine residences, which over the years have had several notable residents. 

The name Tonnancour is thought to have been taken from the 18th centurystone mansion (of the same name) built by René Godefroy deTonnancour (1669-1738) on the St.…

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