Real Estate Blog - 344 Provencal

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Hugh T. Keyes Homes on Provencal

Posted by Kay Agney on November 11th, 2025

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…

505 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Homes of Elma Mennen

Posted by Kay Agney on November 4th, 2025

Last week we concluded our series on the history of the former “Tonnancour” estate as we explored one of the new sub-divisions located on the former 63-acre property – Tonnancour Place. This prestigious street in Grosse Pointe Farms is now the location of many fine residences, which over the years have had several notable residents.

The week we delve deeper into the history of one of the residents of Tonnancour Place, Elma C. Mennen, and take a look at the two stunning homes she had constructed in Grosse Pointe. Both were designed by the renowned architect, Hugh T. Keyes.

Elma Christina Mennen was a prominent figure in the City of Detroit. Born in Newark in 1885, she came from a prosperous family - her father, Gerhard Heinrich Mennen, founded…

537 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 344 Provencal

Posted by Kay Agney on August 23rd, 2022

Last week we presented part 2 of our story on one of Grosse Pointe’s most historic complexes, Grosse Pointe Academy, formally known as Academy of the Sacred Heart. Located at 171 Lake Shore, the complex is situated on an area that is almost twenty-acres. The site consists of five buildings - an early farmhouse and four larger academy buildings – Sacred Heart Academy and Convent, St. Paul’s Parish School, the Chapel, and the Main School Building - constructed between 1885 and 1930.

This week we turn our attention to 344 Provencal, “Mennen Hall”, a Tudor Revival style mansion located on the prestigious street of Provencal in Grosse Pointe Farms. Completed in 1929, the property was designed by the prominent architect Hugh T. Keyes. 

344 Provencal…

1303 Views, 0 Comments