Last week we stopped on Chalfonte Avenue in Grosse Pointe Farms to review a selection of properties on part of the street where the rear of the homes overlook the golf course at the prestigious Country Club of Detroit.
One of the homes we featured on Chalfonte (number 464) was designed by a Canadian born architect Edmund Primeau and built by Hilary Micou. Primeau was a versatile designer who created numerous homes in Grosse Pointe in varying architectural styles, primarily during the 1940’s and 1950’s. Arguably one of his most prominent projects was 40 Sunningdale.
40 Sunningdale, a striking Colonial inspired home, was completed in 1957 for Alfred L. Marks and his wife Virginia Backus. It was originally located on a secluded 1.9-acre lot, allegedly part of the Standish Backus estate, 725 lake Shore (owned by Virginia’s father). From when 40 Sunningdale was first built it appears the house, the entrance, and its lot size, has changed considerably. In 1957, the house was around 5,050 sq ft (it is now around 6,742 sq ft); the entrance was a less grand affair than it is now, while the lot size has been reduced to 0.95 acres.
The Colonial style home was beautifully decorated throughout with herringbone floors in the large 17’ x 27’ sq ft living room, the 16’ x 14’ sq ft dining room, and the 14’ x 6’ sq ft front hall. Many of the rooms on the first floor have substantial fireplaces (living room, dining room, and the library). There was also a 24’ x 24’ sq ft terrace room. The second floor originally had six bedrooms, along with two additional bedrooms for maids, while the basement featured a 32’ x 17’ sq ft games room (with fireplace), and a large 11’ x 24’ sq ft workroom.
Over the years the house has had several high profile owners – Alfred Marks, Bill Ford Jr. and Kirk Gibson. In 1984, the home was listed for sale, as were part(s) of the original 1.9-acre lot that would be sold to create a new lot on Stratton Place and one on Lochmoor Blvd. In total the complete package (the house, and two separate lots) was listed for $810,000 (around $2.5m today).
The original owners of the home were Alfred “Budd” Marks, and his wife Virginia Backus Marks. Based on research by Larry W. Stephenson, M.D we understand “by all accounts they were a rather colorful couple.” They married in June 1941 and had five children together. Dr. Stephenson’s research explained that General Marks was well known in Grosse Pointe. His full name was Alfred Lafayette Marks, however, the Michigan Air National Guard had his name listed as Magnus Buddy Marks. From around 1955 through 1958, General Marks commanded the 127th Tactical Air Wing, which at that time was located at one of the airports in Detroit. At the time the squadron was comprised of two jet fighter squadrons plus a third squadron at Battle Creek. Image courtesy of: Detroit Free Press (June 1941).
Virginia Backus was born on January 11, 1922. She was the daughter of Standus Backus a lawyer, engineer, general Counsel for General Motors (in 1911) who then became President of the Burroughs Adding Machine Company in 1920. Mr. Backus owned one of Grosse Pointe’s grandest homes, 725 Lake Shore, a magnificent Tudor mansion situated on a 12-acre estate (demolished in 1966). Now subdivided, the former Backus estate includes Sunningdale Drive, Lochmoor Blvd, Stratton Place, and possibly Belle Meade Road.
In 1975, Virginia Backus Marks and her husband Alfred divorced. Virginia continued to live at 40 Sunningdale, while Alfred moved to 75 Tonnancour Place. That same year Virginia married Edward Burns Caulkins. It appears the couple resided at 40 Sunningdale until 1984 when the property was listed for sale, and they moved to Hobe Sound, Florida.
The next owner of 40 Sunningdale was Bill Ford Jr. Born in 1957 Mr. Ford is the great-grandson of Henry Ford. He joined the board of Ford Motor Company in 1988 and has held the position(s) of President, CEO, and COO before turning over the roles to Alan Mulally in 2006. He then held the position of Executive Chairman. Source Wikipedia.Based on information from our files it appears Mr. Ford resided at 40 Sunningdale until 1993. At which point it was sold to one of Detroit’s most famous sporting hero’s, professional baseball playerKirk Gibson. One of the stars of the Tigers World Series winning team in 1984 he enjoyed a stellar career until his retirement in 1995. He then became a broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers and continued to reside in Grosse Pointe for many years. In 2004, 40 Sunningdale was sold again. The new owners made extensive changes; the size of the home was increased to 6,742 sq ft, but despite the major alterations the elegance architect Edmund Primeau created was retained inside and out. Color image courtesy of movoto.com
Aside from creating 40 Sunningdale, Edmund Primeau (during the 1950’s) designed several residences in Grosse Pointe including: 211 Country Club Drive (1951), 77 Sunningdale (1955), 21 Lochmoor Boulevard (1955), and 381 Lake Shore (1957). The builder of 40 Sunningdale was the respected Hilary Micou - a prolific builder of homes in Grosse Pointe. During a career that spanned three decades Micou built many prestigious homes in the community in conjunction with some of Detroit’s most recognized architects, including Edmund Primeau.
Despite only being built in 1957, 40 Sunningdale has possibly had more noted owners in its short history than most – a retired air force general, Henry Ford’s grandson, and a baseball superstar – it doesn’t get more impressive than that.
* 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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