Last week we presented the work of Roland Tempest a lesser-known designer who created at least 3 sublime homes in Grosse Pointe during the 1920’s, including 22 Sunningdale which has had several prominent owners.
This week we turn our attention to four homes that were designed and built by the talented duo of Raymond Carey and his partner, Horrace Esselstyn, between 1923 – 1929. Together Carey and Esselstyn created many fine residences along with several key buildings in Detroit.
Raymond Carey – Architect
Raymond Marwood-Elton Carey was born in Guernsey, Channel Islands (United Kingdom) on 27 August 1883. He was educated in Bath, but by 1901, he had relocated to London where he spent many years working for several prestigious architects. It is reported, in documents from the Royal Institute of British Architects in London, “Carey possessed impeccable professional credentials which he obtained during his residency with us.” We also leaned “in 1901-03, he was associated with Charles F.A. Voysey, the acknowledged master of the Arts & Crafts style in England. From 1903-05 he continued his training under the prominent architect Leonard A.S. Stokes and remained with him as a draftsman until 1907. Carey then traveled in Italy for a full year, returning to London in 1909.” Source: dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org
In 1909, Carey relocated to Winnipeg, Canada. Aged 26 it is reported he arrived armed with an “extensive knowledge of contemporary design trends from England, and a wealth of experience,” having been surround by some of the finest Georgian residences in the world. This level of experience and inspiration influenced much of Carey’s career, particularly many of the homes he would eventually create in Grosse Pointe. While in Winnipeg Carey worked as a draftsman, then went to San Francisco, before returning to Winnipeg to open an office in early 1911. It is reported “Carey introduced a new and elegant repertoire of architectural design and detail to the Winnipeg scene.” Source: dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org. Around 1922, Carey relocated to Detroit to continue his career. He initially operated under his own name, but by 1923, had formed a partnership with engineer Horace H. Esselstyn.
Horrace Esselstyn – Engineer
Horace Hovey Esselstyn was born in Detroit on 26 December 1874. A couple of years after he was born the family decided to move back to Syracuse, New York where they were originally from. His father was a successful photographer and reopened his studio in the city. It is reported “Horace pursued a very successful career in civil engineering and as an architect. He briefly joined the US Army in 1898 during the Spanish-American War, but the war was nearly over, and he was discharged only a month later. In 1904, he married Clara Gillespie. They lived initially in Washington, D.C. but by 1910, they had settled in Detroit. Aside from being a successful engineer Esselstyn was involved in public service, serving as Detroit Commissioner of Public Works for a year in 1918 and later serving as Commissioner of Street Railways. He also ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Detroit in 1927.” Source: wikitree.com
Carey & Esselstyn worked together from 1923 to 1929. It was during this period that Carey “produced some of the most distinctive and sumptuous residential masterpieces of his career.” Much of his work was in the prestigious neighborhoods of Metro Detroit, particularly Grosse Pointe. It is acknowledged he designed more than 15 homes in the community, most of which were in his signature Georgian and Tudor Revival styles. Some of his projects in the community he worked on during his partnership with Esselstyn include –
867 Balfour (built in 1923) for Charles C. Smith
A grand English style home with exquisite brickwork. It was built by Charles C. Smith (a builder and designer) who also owned the property for nearly five years. In January 1928, the house was sold to Walter L. Dunham, president of the Detroit Savings bank. Second image courtesy of: Detroit Free Press (January 1928).
1104 Nottingham Road (built in 1926) for John H. Lyons
A striking English style home with the second floor covered in cedar shingles, it is quite unique. Image courtesy of GoogleEarth.
39 Beverly Road (built in 1927) for William H. Wells
39 Beverly is a distinctive Cottage style home finished in stucco – we will have the full story about this home soon.
338 Provencal (built in 1928) for Howard F. Smith
338 Provencal was created for Howard F. Smith, VP of the Canada and Dominion Sugar Company, it is a stone Tudor residence with all the hallmarks of an English estate. The asymmetric design has elegant limestone detailing around the large bay windows on the first floor, along with a striking slate roof – typical of homes created in this architectural style. The exterior also included a sundial – located above the dining room windows, as depicted in the photo below. Sundial – Courtesy of www.luxuryrealestate.com
Aside from residences, it is understood Carey & Esselstyn are credited with working on several key projects in Detroit including – (Source: dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org)
- Gately’s Department Store on Michigan Avenue
- Belle Isle Bridge (1924)
- Detroit Receiving Hospital, Nurse’s Home, and Annex (1924-26)
- Two schools for the City of Detroit
- Fourteenth Precinct-Detroit Police Station, on Coolidge Highway (1926–27)
- A factory for the Mississippi Glass Company
- An office building for the Detroit Automobile Company (owned by Henry Ford)
- Detroit’s Woods Cathedral in Lasalle Gardens (1925)
While the partnership of Raymond Carey and Horrace Esselstyn didn’t last all that long, in the five years together they created some “sumptuous residential masterpieces”.
* 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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