Last week we explored the homes in Grosse Pointe Elma Mennen and her husband, Henry Williams, had Hugh T. Keyes design for them – 344 Provencal and 35 Tonnancour Place.
This week we look at Hugh T. Keyes work on the prestigious street of Provencal – 34 Provencal (extensive alterations), 260 Provencal (now razed) and 344 Provencal.
A noted early 20th century architect, Hugh T. Keyes was a prolific designer of fine homes in the Grosse Pointes and was arguably one of the most diverse architects to ply his trade in the community. Keyes was a phenomenal designer and is considered one of the most versatile architects to work in southeastern Michigan. He was born in Trenton, MI in 1888, and studied architecture at Harvard University. After graduating he became an associate of Albert Kahn working on one of Kahn’s major projects, the Detroit Athletic Club. He was also a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Navy during World War 1. He then spent time in Europe, traveling in England, France, Italy and Switzerland gathering inspiration for his work.
Following a period of employment with the leading architectural firm in Detroit, Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, Keyes opened his own office in 1921. His work centered on creating grand estates for the industrialists of Metropolitan Detroit (clients included Ford, Hudson-Tannahill, Bugas and Mennen). His style was wonderfully diverse, encompassing Tudor Revival, rustic Swiss Chalets, Mediterranean, Georgian, through to International and Modern style homes. Throughout his career Keyes built many significant houses in Grosse Pointe with the majority located in the Farms. He worked on three homes on Provencal:
- 34 Provencal – 1912 (designed by Louis Kamper, major alterations were made by Keyes in 1927)
- 260 Provencal – 1927
- 344 Provencal – 1929
34 Provencal
Aside from being a prolific and talented architect Hugh T. Keyes also had a stellar reputation for making significant alterations to existing older homes. He was hired to work on numerous such projects in Grosse Pointe including two properties on Woodland Place (number 2 and number 7). He was also hired to make substantial changes to 34 Provencal in 1927.
34 Provencal was designed by Louis Kamper for John Scripps Sweeney Sr. Completed in 1912; it is one of the earliest residences to be built on the street. The gracious brick home is created in a Georgian architectural style. The asymmetric design and grand central entrance - flanked by porticos on either side of the front door - present a formal appearance. The interior features high ceilings and includes a large formal dining room (26’ x 16’), an elegant wood paneled library with a bay window (24’ x 22’), butler’s pantry, a substantial kitchen (26’ x 25’) and seven bedrooms. The home also features a 1,200 sq ft Italian patio along with a grand 35-foot screened porch that reportedly has a cathedral vaulted ceiling. The property also includes an 800 sq. ft carriage house, complete with a one-bedroom apartment, along with a 3-car garage. As with so many of the earlier homes on Provencal the home has undergone substantial renovations during its lifetime, including adding a major addition, designed by Keyes. You can read the full story by clicking here.
260 Provencal
266 Provencal was an English Manor home built in 1927, for William Hendrie. The estate was set on 3 ½ acres of beautiful grounds. The spacious home had a large, paneled library, old walnut paneling in the spacious step-down living room (with an adjoining screened terrace), and four bedrooms. There were six fireplaces, three garage apartments, maid’s rooms, along with a swimming pool. By 1962, the home was the setting for numerous house tours, including the Living With Art Tour, held in Grosse Pointe in April 1967. At the time the house was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. White. By August 1972, the house was listed for sale. It was sold later that year and the home was demolished.
344 Provencal
344 Provencal was built for Elma C. Mennen and her husband Henry P. Williams in 1929. Affectionately known as “Mennen Hall” the 8,496 sq ft residence is located on a 200 x 400-acre lot. The stately brick Tudor has all the classic traits one would expect from a house of this grandeur – an asymmetrical configuration, intricate detailed brickwork, a steep slate roof, and tall leaded glass windows. Arguably the defining feature on the front elevation is the two-story entrance that creates a key focal point. The slightly recessed doorway is flanked by a carved architrave with an English Georgian style pediment above. Another interesting feature are the multiple tall chimneys with the unique arched chimney caps. The second image is courtesy of: digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org.
The homes Hugh T. Keyes created on Provencal are stunning works of art. While one has sadly been demolished the remaining two properties are extremely significant in the historical architecture of Grosse Pointe.
* 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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