Last week we reviewed Hugh T. Keyes work on the prestigious street of Provencal – 34 Provencal (extensive alterations), 260 Provencal (now razed) and 344 Provencal.
This week, we continue the theme of multiple homes created by a single architect on this significant street with the work of local architect Robert O. Derrick – 23 Provencal, 290 Provencal, 274 Provencal, 248 Provencal (now razed), 214 Provencal, and 204 Provencal (now razed).
HMA is a huge fan of the work by this skilled architect and has sold many homes Robert O. Derrick designed, including the exquisite 211 Vendome. As a prolific architect in the community, Derrick played a pivotal role in helping transform the architectural scene in Grosse Pointe during the 1920’s. He specialized in creating large formal residences for prominent clientele who were looking for ‘something spectacular’.
Born in Buffalo, New York, Derrick graduated from Columbia University, in 1917. He moved to Detroit in 1921, becoming a partner of the firm of Brown, Preston, and Derrick, before establishing a practice under his own name. Much of his work in Grosse Pointe occurred during the 1920’s. One of his earliest projects was the Grosse Pointe “Little” Club, in 1923. In 1927, he went to England to study English Domestic Architecture. The trip fueled his love for formal Georgian architecture, which is evident in many of his later projects, including what is arguably his most noted creation 211 Vendome – you can read the full story.
Arguably Derricks most productive and defining era occurred in the 1920’s and 1930’s, during which he worked in an array of architectural styles to create residences, commercial, and public buildings, along with several schools in Metro Detroit, including Grosse Pointe. He received many commissions by prominent businessmen in the area who were looking to relocate their families from the city to the increasingly popular superb of Grosse Pointe. Much of his residential work was large residences, including the homes he created on Provencal:
- 23 Provencal – 1924
- 290 Provencal – 1924
- 274 Provencal – 1924
- 248 Provencal – 1925
- 214 Provencal – 1925
- 204 Provencal – 1927
23 Provencal
Built in 1924, 23 Provencal was Derrick’s earliest project on the road. It is a striking Georgian Revival home, which could be argued, was Derrick’s particular forte. It was designed for Robert L. Wilbur, who at one point in his career was a teaching fellow at the University of Michigan. As one of the earlier homes to be constructed on this section of the street, it has been suggested it helped set the tone for the many magnificent properties that were to follow. Image courtesy of: GoogleEarth
248 Provencal
Built in 1925, 248 Provencal was designed during Derrick’s partnership at the firm of Brown, Preston & Derrick. It was built by Wilson & Hunter. This clapboard Colonial style home was built for Sidney Trowbridge Miller Jr. - an attorney, and the son of Sidney Trowbridge Miller, the founder of Michigan’s oldest and largest law firm Miller Canfield. The home was purchased by Josephine Clay Ford in 1947 and underwent extensive alterations. It was demolished in 2007. Image courtesy of: Architecture magazine (June 1926).
214 Provencal
Also built in 1925, 214 Provencal was designed by the firm of Brown, Preston & Derrick, who once again collaborated with Wilson & Hunter to build the home. It was commissioned by Frederick C Kidner, a prominent doctor in the City of Detroit. Image courtesy of: Detroityes.com
204 Provencal
This grand residence was built in 1927, for Sidney R. Small, an active partner of Harris, Small and Lawson that primarily dealt with the buying and selling of investment bonds. It was situated on a 3.19-acre lot. The design was reminiscent of an English Country Estate, which was an extremely popular approach during the 1920’s. It is believed the striking asymmetrical stone clad home was around 10,000 sq ft when it was completed. In 1959, Hilary Micou - a prolific builder of homes in Grosse Pointe with well over 30 homes to his name – increased the size of the house to 13,084 sq ft, making it one of the largest residences in the community. At the time, the renovations were said to have cost over $200,000 (around $2.2m today).
Following the alterations by Micou, the first floor had a library with a natural fireplace, guest bedroom and bath, reception hall, enclosed logia, living room, a flower room, butler’s pantry, kitchen and two servant’s rooms. The upstairs had four bedrooms along with two additional maid’s rooms, while the basement contained the usual laundry rooms, storage rooms, a boiler room, along with a large recreation room with a natural fireplace and beamed ceiling. The attached 3-car garage included an apartment with two further bedrooms for servants. It was demolished in 2014.
Derrick was a prolific designer in Grosse Pointe and his homes on Provencal are wonderful examples of the large-scale homes that helped set the architectural scene in the community during the roaring 20’s.
* 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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