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/ (1951).
After Roy Chapin passed on 6 February 1936, Inez began building a “smaller” residence - 160 Provencal. Her new home was to be almost identical in its design and layout to the home she shared with her husband at 457 Lake Shore (designed by nationally acclaimed New York based architect John Russell Pope). The two Georgian Colonial Style mansions were created in two very different eras (1927 and 1957 respectively) and by two different architects. Images courtesy of: Detroit Free Press (August 1980).
Sadly, Inez Chapin died in 1957, before her new home on Provencal was completed. Before her death, however, she sold 457 Lake Shore to Henry Ford II (in 1956). After she died, the Higbie’s, Marian and Hugo completed 160 Provencal and moved into the property. Second image courtesy of: commons.wikimedia.org
The 9,723 sq ft, 6-bed residence on Provencal is an 18-century Georgian Colonial style home, finished “authentically as possible”. Over the years, it is acknowledged Mr. and Mrs. Higbie did so much entertaining it was reported Grosse Pointers nicknamed the Higbie mansion with its formal backyard The Embassy. Source and image: Town & Country Magazine (May 1972).
In 1980, Hugo Higbie sold 160 Provencal to Henry Ford II. At the time Mr. Ford was living at the former Chapin residence, 457 Lake Shore. Henry Ford II is credited with turning around Ford Motor Company when it was having problems. During this time, he held the positions of vice president, president, and chairman of Ford Motor Company, until his retirement on March 13, 1980. Prior to moving to 160 Provencel, Henry Ford had resided in some of Grosse Pointe’s most stunning homes - in 1940, his parents gave him a home - 300 Provencal Road - as a wedding gift. He then moved to 421 Lake Shore in 1948 (you can read the full story by clicking here), then to 457 Lake Shore in 1956, followed by 160 Provencal in 1980.
Following the acquisition of 160 Provencal, it is reported Mr. Ford and his wife Kathy selected nationally renowned New York based interior designer Mario Buatta, to redesign the interior of their new home. Buatta, at the time, was well known for “interiors with a strong English flavor, and was influenced by his studies in Europe, particularly by the work of the legendary English decorator John Fowler.” Source: Detroit Free Press (August 1981). The article explains “The Ford’s wanted the interior of their new home to be comfortable and colorful and to have an English feeling, to be the way the English live, with a mixture of things. Henry was used to living in a house filled with French decor, but he much preferred the easy, relaxed feeling of the English look – an understated look, rooms that had an undecorated feeling.” As part of the interview with the Detroit Free Press Kathy Ford explained “Henry brought practically everything, including a few sinks to their new home – bathroom sinks were even taken from the old house. Marvelous large ones that they don’t make anymore, with crystal legs, decorated porcelain, and gold platted faucets.” When the Ford’s hired Buatta his work involved general coordinating, layout, selecting new upholstered pieces, carpeting, fabrics, and color. It was acknowledged the Fords liked pastel colors – “soft colors that look fresh and don’t shout at you, so that when you walk in, everything melts, like an impressionist painting.”
Buatta finished the living room in shades of lemon yellow, the master bedroom was white with touches of red. The master suite also had a dressing room for each of them, with a desk in each one. It was reported “The Fords never discussed budget. They knew what it would take to do, and they did it…They’re very happy with the house.” It appears the Ford’s resided at 160 Provencal until February 2005, when it was purchased by Matthew Moroun and his family, who still reside there today.
160 Provencal is a stunning home, created by Inez Chapin who had a vision of what she wanted her new home to be. Sadly, she didn’t live to see her dream become a reality, but thankfully her daughter and son-in-law Marian and Hugo Higbie ensured the house became what Mrs. Chapin had always intended it to be – a beautifully styled, gracious family home – a vision upheld by the Ford’s and the Moroun’s.
* Photos courtesy of the Higbie Maxon Agney archives unless stated.
** Research, information, and data sources are deemed reliable, but accuracy cannot be fully guaranteed.
Written by Katie Doelle
Copyright © 2025 Higbie Maxon Agney & Katie Doelle
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