Real Estate Blog - Albert Kahn

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 257 Ridge Road

Last week we explored 16805 Maumee (formerly 514 Cadieux). This pretty English Cottage style home was completed in 1922 by Charles Crombie for Charles B. Crause. The current owner has lived there for over 50 years.

This week we head to 257 Ridge Road to explore a stunning Tudor style residence designed by architectural legend Albert Kahn. It was completed in 1928-1929 for Jerome Hosmer Remick whose company was one of the largest publishers of sheet music in the world.

257 Ridge Road (original address was 245 Ridge Road) is a magnificent 9,346 sq ft residence constructed of limestone and brick with a slate roof. From our files the cost to build the home in 1928 was $121,571.54 plus $8,774 for an addition to the library. The total was a whopping…

411 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The History of Rose Terrace

Last week we presented the story of one of Albert Kahn’s public buildings, the Vernier school, completed in 1916. Originally located at 36 Vernier Road, it was razed in 1994.

This week we conclude our series on the work of Albert Kahn as we briefly review arguably one of the most noted residences he created Rose Terrace, followed by the history of the property, which includes Rose Terrace II, and finally the Rose Terrace Subdivision. 

Rose Terrace #1
Rose Terrace was completed in 1910, for Horace Elgin Dodge for an estimated $4 million (around $130m today). It was razed in 1934. Based on an article in the Detroit News (June 2000) we understand the name “Rose Terrace” came from the collection of roses on the grounds that were a favorite of Mrs.…

1298 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Grosse Pointe Municipal Buildings – Woods & Shores

Last week we continued with our presentation as we explored the municipal buildings in the Farms and the City, both of which have a very different story to tell. The structure in the farms dates to 1916, while the original site for the municipal buildings in the city can be traced to 1920.

This week we conclude our series as we visit the structures in the Woods and the Shores that were built during two very different eras. The facility in the Shores is the oldest municipal building in the Grosse Pointe communities.

Grosse Pointe Woods
The current municipal building in the Woods is the newest structure in the community. The original building (date of completion is not known) was located on the corner of Anita/Mack. As with all city structures in…

462 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 8 Carmel Lane

Last week we visited 22 Lee Gate Lane, a one-of-a-kind modern residence designed by Hugh T. Keyes for Robert Hudson Tannahill, a renowned art collector in Detroit, nephew of department store king Joseph L. Hudson, and first cousin of Eleanor Ford, wife of Edsel Ford.

This week we are going to bring you the story 8 Carmel Lane, designed by Albert Kahn in 1912, for prominent businessman Philip H. McMillan. While we have featured much of Kahn’s work in Grosse Pointe, this is one of his projects we have yet to cover.

8 Carmel Lane was one of Kahn’s earlier projects in Grosse Pointe, and possibly one of his largest. At the time Albert Kahn was already a well-established architect in the city of Detroit. Under the name of Albert Kahn…

885 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Beverly Road – Part 2

Last week we started our exploration of Beverly Road with a look at the history of this prestigious street - part 1 of a three part series. Beverly Road is the only street in the Grosse Pointe communities that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

This week, in part 2, we take a look at the residences on the east side of Beverly Road - the even numbered homes: 24 through 44 - the first lots to be sold and developed. The two earliest homes constructed were numbers 28 and 40 – both completed in 1911/12. The modern photo’s below are courtesy of: Katie Doelle

24 Beverly Road - completed in 1914
24 Beverly is a large 5,976 Sq ft asymmetrical English Revival house. George W. Graves designed it for Mrs. Harriet N. Atterbury. You can…

2774 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Beverly Road – Part 1

Last week we presented the magnificent 24 Beverly Road, designed by George W. Graves for Harriet N. Atterbury – it was completed in 1914. 

This week we stay on Beverly Road, for part 1 of a three part series. Over the next couple of weeks we will be exploring the residences that are located on this special street – the only road in the Grosse Pointe communities that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Beverly Road is located on the original Beverly Park sub-division that was platted by Henry B. Joy in 1910. The district was one of the earliest upper-class subdivisions in the Grosse Pointes, and played a major role in the area becoming an upscale community for wealthy Detroiters. All of the residences, aside from #35 (built in…

1492 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Work of Ernest Wilby

Last week we presented 16632 E. Jefferson. Located on the shores of Lake St. Clair the traditional Tudor Revival home was commissioned by Edgar Bowen in 1926, and designed by Wallace Frost. 

This week we would like to introduce you to the work of Ernest Wilby, a talented designer who was arguably best known for the buildings he created during his time as Albert Kahn’s chief designer from 1903 until 1918. During this time he was associated with at least three stunning homes in the Grosse Pointe community between 1905 and 1911. Sadly all three homes have now been demolished.

Ernest Wilby was born in Yorkshire, England in 1869. During his career he worked with numerous architects in Toronto, London, New York City, and Detroit. Having graduated from…

1761 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Relocated - Part 1

Last week we went to Lincoln Road to review three superb properties designed by George W. Graves.  Located on the same block between Maumee and Jefferson, they were completed between 1910 and 1918, in Georgian, Colonial, and English Tudor styles. 

Over the next couple of weeks we would like to present the story of four homes that have been relocated. These homes vary in size, and all four were relocated prior to 1930 - from just around the corner to several miles away - an incredible undertaking both logistically and architecturally. This week, in part 1, we focus on two grand properties that were once neighboring residences next to the river in Indian Village.

15520 Windmill Pointe – Relocated from 8192 East Jefferson Avenue
In 1903, John B.…

3071 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Lost Estates – Rose Terrace I and II – Part 1

Last week we presented the story of 17800 E. Jefferson, completed by Albert Kahn for Charles M. Swift in 1905 – now a lost estate. 

This week we turn our attention to the house next-door - 17840 E. Jefferson, “Rose Terrace I”, completed in 1910, for Horace Elgin Dodge - another of Albert Kahn’s masterpieces. Given the significance of this property and its successor we thought it was about time to tell the story of “Rose Terrace I”, and its later replacement “Rose Terrace II” next week. Photo is courtesy of: Legacy of Albert Kahn by W. Hawkins Ferry.

“Rose Terrace I” was located at 17840 E. Jefferson. Prior to its commission Horace E. Dodge, the younger of the Dodge siblings, had purchased land adjoining the former Detroit Country Club…

4029 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Lost Estate – 17800 E. Jefferson

Last week we presented 189 Cloverly, the Spanish Colonial Revival home designed by Albert Kahn for Julius H. Haass in 1927.

This week we stay with the work of Albert Kahn as we explore his creation at 17800 E. Jefferson – now a lost estate.

During the early 20th Century Albert Kahn was already a well-established architect in the city of Detroit. Under the name of Albert Kahn Associates (the firm he formed with his brother Julius, in 1895) Kahn’s skills were in high demand from wealthy clientele to create stately residences in the constantly evolving affluent suburbs of Detroit. 

After completing 81 Lake Shore, a grand Italian inspired residence completed in 1904, for Albert L. Stephens, Kahn was commissioned by Charles M. Swift to design a…

3983 Views, 0 Comments