Last week we presented the history of two significant men who played a large part in shaping Grosse Pointe into the community we know today - Geroge Lothrop and Theadore Hall. Lothrop built a summer cottage, known as “Summerside” while Hall built a majestic estate named Tonnancour.
A few weeks ago, we began introducing the work of some extremely talented, yet lesser-known designers/builders who worked throughout Metro Detroit during the 1920’s – 1930’s. This week we continue with the series as we introduce three homes Roland Tempest designed in Grosse Pointe during the 1920’s.
Rolland W. Tempest was born on 8 January 1891 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Having grown up in the city he attended the University of Pennsylvania where he graduated in 1915 with a degree in architecture. At some point he relocated to Detroit to work as an architect where we would create numerous fine residences in the affluent suburbs of Detroit, including Grosse Pointe, Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills. He passed in Salt Lake City on 20 November 1972.
It appears Roland Tempest created at least three homes in Grosse Pointe during the late 1920’s, including:
22 Sunningdale Drive - 1927
22 Sunningdale (original address was 36 Lochmoor) was built for Charles E. Bird treasurer and part owner of the S. L. Bird Company Department Store, which was located on Washington Blvd. It is a stunning 5,000 Sq Ft Spanish style home in Grosse Pointe Shores. It originally had a frontage of 260 ft on Sunningdale and 150 ft frontage on Lochmoor. Image of Mr. Bird Courtesy of: Detroit Free Press (June 1938).
22 Sunningdale was featured in an article in the Detroit Free Press in 1928 which was explaining the benefits of having Masonite Structural Insulation used in a home - “To enjoy this same enduring comfort-uniform warmth in winter, cool rooms in summer—all you need do is to specify Masonite Structural Insulation.” Image courtesy of: Detroit Free Press (January 1928).
When the house was listed for sale by Mr. Bird in 1932, the interior featured a large foyer with circular stairs, a living room, library, dining room, a butler’s pantry, and service stairs on the main floor. The second floor had four main bedrooms plus two smaller bedrooms for maids over the garage. In the basement was a recreation room. The nearly 1-acre lot included a 3-car garage, and a surrounding brick wall. Our files state the casement windows and outside steel doors were made by the Hope Co. of England.
It appears the original owner Mr. Bird moved to 106 Lochmoor and in May 1932, 22 Sunningdale was purchased by John Lord Booth. In the spring of 1939, Mr. Booth had listed the property for sale for $60,000 (around $1.4m today). It is stated in our files that prior to listing the property Mr. Booth had put in $1,600 worth of trees (around $39,000 today). By this point Mr. Booth had commissioned Frank Miles to design a stunning new home for him and his family – 226 Provencal, which was completed in 1940.
When Mr. Booth listed 22 Sunningdale for sale he stated the chandelier and the wallpaper were to be removed from the dining room and replaced with something else. Mr. Booth had expensive taste when it came to wallpaper in dining rooms. In his new home on Provencial the walls in the dining room were covered in Gracie Wallpaper (one-of-a-kind wallpaper by the Gracie Company) that was not your standard wallpaper, but a covering of silk, hand painted by artists. Which begs the question, did he have Gracie wallpaper in the dining room at 22 Sunningdale too? Read the full story about Gracie Wallpaper here.
John Lord Booth was the son of Ralph Harmon Booth, president of Booth newspapers and a major arts patron in Detroit. Ralph Booth resided at one of Grosse Pointe’s most stunning, and largest, residences 315 Washington – built in 1923. John Booth was born in Detroit in 1907, having graduated from Yale, in 1928, he became the private secretary to the American ambassador to Denmark, in 1930. He then held the position of vice president, and treasurer at the Ralph H. Booth Corporation (1931-1938). Post 1939 he was the founder, owner and chairman of numerous broadcasting companies throughout Michigan and the United States, during this era.
22 Sunningdale was sold in May 1944 and was purchased for $37,000 by Burdette E. Ford. Future owners included the vice president for Hiram Walker, Mr. Van Lockern, and Roberta Wallrich.
509 University Place – 1927 - Created in an English architectural style.
862 Westchester - 1928
This center entrance Colonial was designed by Roland Tempest for Leon Bastendorf. Image courtesy of: Realtor.com
It is clear Roland Tempest was a skilled architect who created at least three distinctive homes in Grosse Pointe. In presenting the work of these unsung builders and designers who worked in Grosse Pointe during the first half of the 20th century, it ensures the less prominent, yet equally stunning homes, have a chance to showcase their stories. And in some way every home in Grosse Pointe has an interesting story to tell.
A big thank you to Roberta Wallrich, former owner of 22 Sunningdale, who wrote to us seeking information about her former home.
* 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 © 2026 Higbie Maxon Agney & Katie Doelle
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