Last week we visited 551 Lake Shore. This modern homewas created by versatile architect Hugh T. Keyes in 1957, for Leo Fiztpatrick, a national figure in radio broadcasting and veteran of both World Wars. The property was the venue for 1980 Designer’s Show House.
This week we travel to the opposite end of Lake Shore Drive to visit 59 Lake Shore in the City of Grosse Pointe. This historic home, designed by the prestigious firm of Mason & Rice, was bult in 1892, by Joseph Berry for his daughter, Charlotte and her husband Henry Sherrard. Image courtesy of Grosse Pointe Historical Society.
59 Lake Shore, the “Henry Sherrard” house is one of theoldest surviving year-round houses in the Grosse Ponte communities. The architectural style has been described as a combination of 19th Century Shingle and Romanesque Revival, with Gothic touches and a trace of Victorian. Source: Grosse Pointe Historical Society (GPHS). The distinctive 4,400 sq ft home has an asymmetric configuration, which was very popular during that era. It is constructed from red-brown sandstone with cedar shingles. A veranda wraps around two sides of the home while its outstanding feature is arguably the red-brown circular sandstone tower with its conical roof. Despite the exterior of the home having limited decorative features, it is a remarkably interesting home to look at in terms of its shape, and architectural elements. Black and White image courtesy of: digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org. Color photos courtesy of: Katie Doelle.
The home has three floors, containing four bedrooms, three fireplaces, a formal sitting room, living room (with fireplace), a parlor (with fireplace), dining room, library, kitchen, and a breakfast room. The interior is said to contain a fine selection of materials with wonderful craftsmanship throughout. Many of the formal living areas have wood-paneled walls, while each of the fireplaces are carved from stone. Based on an article by GP Heritage Magazine (June 1985) there is a sculptured sandstone lion on the wall over the mantel in the living room, while the dining room has hardwood floors and wainscoted walls. At the top of the landing is a stunning glass window featuring a detailed design on the leaded panes. The 19’ x18’ sq ft master bedroom (with fireplace) faces east with a view of the lake, while the room also has an alcove with eight rectangular windows with leaded panes. The second floor is also the location of a further three bedrooms along with two bedrooms for maids and service stairs to the first floor.
Joseph Berry was a prominent figure in Detroit, forging a successful career as a businessman, industrialist, and real estate speculator. In 1881, he commissioned a new home for his family. “Edgemere” was one of the first year-round homes to be built in Grosse Pointe, located at 50 Lake Shore (razed in 1942). The house was situated on a colossal 15 acres of land, running from McKinley Road to Sunset Lane, and stretching from Lake St. Clair to Kercheval. The Queen Anne style home was also designed by Mason and Rice. Images courtesy of: GP Historical Society.
The article in GP Heritage Magazine explained when each of Joseph Berry’s three daughters got married, he would offer, as a wedding present, to build a home for them on part of his estate. It is understood he built two homes on the eastern end of the estate as gifts for two of his daughters – the first was 59 Lake Shore built in 1892 for his eldest daughter, Charlotte and her husband Henry. The second, 60 Lake Shore was built in 1903 for Alice and her husband Dr. Edwin Lodge (demolished in 2007). Berry's youngest daughter, Lottie, married a few years later, but moved to the east coast with her husband.
Joseph’s eldest daughter, Charlotte F. Berry was born on 8 November 1869, in Detroit. She married Henry Sherrard on 24 June 1891. They were the parents of a son (Joseph) and two daughters (Valerie and Laura).When Joseph Berry commissioned the new home for Charlotte and Henry, he returned to the same firm (Mason & Rice) who had designed his own home, “Edgemere”. It is alleged that it was a young Albert Kahn, who was working as a draughtsman for the firm, who designed 59 Lake Shore. However, there is no concrete evidence to prove who the architect was.
Charlotte and Henry’ son Joseph Sherrard (born on 16 August 1892) lived at 59 Lake Shore his whole life until he passed on 20 August 1982. Following his death the house was listed for sale for the first time. It was reportedly purchased in 1983, by Fox & Associates, a general contracting firm. Prior to the purchase it is understood the house had been empty for a year and a half with only an occasional live-in grounds keeper. Following the purchase Fox & Associates lovingly restored the home “with faithful attention to historical authenticity”. Following the renovation it is reported in GP Heritage magazine (June 1985) “the library of the house contained the original fireplace and mantel, with all its oak, tin, brass and tile restored to its original state, but the bookshelves were removed and placed in the upstairs hallway. The stairway was also cleaned up and restored to its former magnificence with finely detailed carved oak newel posts and balustrade. Meanwhile the huge lead glass window at the stairway's landing was repaired and returned to its original beauty.” The extensive work culminated in 59 Lake Shore being returned to its former glory.
The architects of 59 Lake Shore and “Edgemere”, George Mason & Zachariah Rice were two prestigious designers who were heavily influenced by the Richardson Romanesque approach. This important architectural style was named after the American architect Henry Hobson Richardson. It was popular with many architects practicing during the 1880s, and was an approach employed by George D. Mason who featured Richardsonian Romanesque elements in many of his designs during this era. Around the time of creating “Edgemere” and 59 Lake Shore, Mason & Rice were hired to design several prestigious buildings including the Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island (1887); Belle Isle Police Station (1893); and the Hiram Walker Plant (Windsor, Ontario 1896). In 1898, following 20 years of working together, George Mason left the firm and went on to design many wonderful buildings in Detroit including the Detroit Yacht Club (1923) and the Detroit Masonic Temple (1926) along with several stunning homes in Grosse Pointe.
59 Lakeshore is a treasured home, encompassing history, the changing architectural scene at the turn of the century, along with the dedication of a family who owned it for 91 years.
If you have a home, building or street you would like us to profile please contact Higbie Maxon Agney – homes@higbiemaxon.com - we will try and feature the property.
* 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
Leave A Comment