Last week we visited 109 Kenwood, a magnificent home in Grosse Pointe Farms. Completed in 1929, it was designed by the “Dean of Detroit Architects”, Geroge D. Mason for Lynn McNaughton, vice president in charge of sales at Cadillac.
This week we stay on Kenwood to look at a selection of beautifully crafted houses on the street, created by some of the leading architects of the early 20th century. The architectural styles on display include Colonial Revival, English Cotswold, Tudor, Dutch Colonial, and French Provencal styles. Many of the homes exhibit charming architectural features such as intricate brickwork, grand entrances, beautiful limestone detailing, and decorative pediments.
Let’s begin with the residences created by Robert O. Derrick, one of the most prolific architects in Grosse Pointe. He played a pivotal role in helping transform the architectural scene in Grosse Pointe from the 1920’s onwards.
70 Kenwood – Colonial Revival – 1927
70 Kenwood is particularly interesting. When the home was built it displayed a number of characteristics typically associated with the Mission Revival style, including a white façade, a red tiled roof, a semicircular arch over the center window, and a decorative iron trim on the porch - as depicted in the black and white photo below. However, at some point in its history the home has been changed significantly - the photo below presents a change in shape above the central window, the addition of a columned porch makes the entrance more elaborate, while the tile on the roof has been replaced with cedar shingles.
75 Kenwood – Dutch Colonial –1926
120 Kenwood – Colonial Revival - 1926
135 Kenwood – Colonial Revival - 1926
Raymond Carey, born in England in 1883, created three beautiful homes on Kenwood.
51 Kenwood – French Provincial –1927.
Displays several key characteristics associated with this approach including a steep roof, tall rectangular slender chimneys, and arched windows adorned by shutters. When first built, we believe the home had a cedar shake roof.
100 Kenwood – French Provincial – 1928.
This charming home displays many of the key characteristics associated with French architecture – a stone exterior, floor length windows on the first floor, a steep roof along with tall second-story windows each with a semicircular stone arch at the top.
138 Kenwood – Tudor Revival – 1929.
Often described as one of the grandest homes of the Grosse Pointes, this Tudor style residence was commissioned by W. Dean Robinson.
D. Allen Wright was a talented designer. His creations on Kenwood are excellent examples of the French architectural approach.
79 Kenwood - French Normandy – 1925.
Designed for Alvan Macauley Jr. this striking home is a prime example of this style that became increasingly popular in Grosse Pointe during the 1920’s.
104 Kenwood - French - 1928.
J. Ivan Dise created many stunning homes in the community. Much of his work in Grosse Pointe occurred during the 1920’s and 30’s including three stunning homes on Kenwood
130 Kenwood – Tudor Revival – 1926
90 Kenwood – French – 1929
93 Kenwood – Colonial - 1928
Prolific builder H.H Micou built 56 Kenwood, a Colonial inspired residence in 1928.
Finally, let’s not forget the work of Hugh T. Keyes, one of Grosse Pointe’s most prominent architects. Having created multiple homes in the Grosse Pointe’s Keyes was considered one of the most versatile architects of his generation.
78 Kenwood – English Cotswold - 1928
As we conclude our exploration of just some of the magnificent homes on Kenwood Road, it is worth mentioning that aside from the impressive compilation of residences, there is also the splendid collection of silver maple trees. The trees, located on the right-hand side as you head up the street from Grosse Pointe Blvd, are what remain of the nuns walk – a double line of trees that originally ran from the formal gardens of GP Academy to where Kercheval is today. Image courtesy of: Katie Doelle
So, take a walk-up Kenwood Road and enjoy the collection of exquisite homes on display, you won’t be disappointed.
* 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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