Real Estate Blog - Architecture of Grosse Pointe

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 16500 E. Jefferson

Last week we introduced you to another lost mansion, the original 1000 Lake Shore, former grand home of Louis Mendelssohn, and his wife Evelyn. 

This week we are going to continue to the story of the Mendelssohn family as we introduce 16500 E. Jefferson, the home of Louis Mendelssohn’s youngest daughter, Lydia, born in 1906. 

In 1929 Ms. Medelssohn married Christian Henry Buhl, II.  That same year the couple purchased the home of Ross W. Judson on Ellair Place, Grosse Pointe Park. Mr. Judson, the founder of Continental Motor Company, had recently moved from Ellair to 15324 Windmill Pointe, named Kasteel Batavia, which was designed by noted architect Wallace Frost. 

The Buhl-Mendellsohn house on Ellair place was set on six acres between…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 1000 Lake Shore

Last week we presented 37 Edgemere, a mid-century property, completed, in 1951, by Carl R. Habermas for Mr. and Mrs. M. Rivard Klippel. 

This week we are going to introduce you to another lost mansion, the original 1000 Lake Shore, former grand home of Louis Mendelssohn, and his wife Evelyn.

Louis Mendelssohn was a prominent figure in Detroit. He was born in Kempen, Germany, in 1853. His parents then moved to Detroit, in 1855. Having graduated high school he began working for the architectural firm of Sheldon and Mortimer L. Smith, and later as manufacturing draftsman in the car and locomotive department of the Michigan Central Railroad. Several years later he formed a partnership with Mortimer L. Smith, and together they worked on numerous…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 37 Edgemere

Happy 2020! 

In our last post we presented 110 Cloverly, completed by Robert O. Derrick, in 1924, for Phelps Newberry, a member of the esteemed Newberry family.

This week we leave behind the grand Tudor homes of the 1920’s and head to a mid-century property, 37 Edgemere, completed, in 1951, by Carl R. Habermas for Mr. and Mrs. M. Rivard Klippel.

Very little is known about Carl R. Habermas or his career. We do know he created several homes in Grosse Pointe from the 1930’s through to the 1960’s, covering a broad architectural spectrum - Tudor, Colonial, Regency, Art Deco, and Mid-Century Modern styles. It also appears, at some point in his career, he was closely associated with noted architect J. H. Steffens. His projects in Grosse Pointe…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 110 Cloverly

Last week we explored 17845 E. Jefferson (now 25 Fisher Road), the beautifully designed International style home completed, in 1937, by Hugh T. Keyes, for Herbert B. Trix.

This week we head to a property on one of the most distinguished streets in Grosse Pointe Farms, 110 Cloverly. Robert O. Derrick completed the majestic Tudor mansion, in 1924, for Phelps Newberry, a member of the esteemed Newberry family.

The Newberry family owned numerous properties in the Grosse Pointes. Phelps Newberry’s grandfather, prominent local political figure John Stoughton Newberry, resided at “Lake Terrace”, 99 Lake Shore Drive (now demolished). During the latter part of the 19th century John Stoughton Newberry, along with his business partner James H. McMillan,…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 17845 E. Jefferson

Last week we presented some of the homes that were owned by the well-known DuCharme family, focusing on 365 University in particular. This classically styled brick built Georgian Colonial home was completed, in 1919, for Charles Bagley DuCharme, by the distinguished firm of William B. Stratton, and Dalton V. Snyder.

This week we head to 17845 E. Jefferson (now 25 Fisher Road), the beautifully designed International style home completed, in 1937, by Hugh T. Keyes, for Herbert B. Trix. 

We have discussed, on several occasions, the rich and varied repertoire of Hugh T. Keyes, who was one of the most productive, and talented architects to grace Metro Detroit in the first half of the 20th century. But we have yet to focus, in depth, on one of…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to the DuCharme Family.

Last week we explored two homes on Whittier, number 1005, and number 1305, completed in 1927, designed by Beckett & Akitt, and Rupert W. Koch, respectively. 

This week we are going to introduce you to some of the homes that were owned by the well-known DuCharme family, focusing on 365 University Place in particular. This classically styled brick built Georgian Colonial home was completed, in 1919, for Charles Bagley DuCharme, by the distinguished firm of William B. Stratton, and Dalton V. Snyder. 

The DuCharme’s were a well-known family in Detroit. Charles Bagley DuCharme was born in Detroit, in 1883. His father, Charles A. DuCharme, was a wealthy Detroit hardware dealer, and former president of the Michigan Stove Company. Having graduated, from…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 1005 and 1305 Whittier

Last week we introduced you to 750 Whittier, the spectacular residence completed, in 1920, for Detroit Lumber baron, Frederic M. Sibley.

This week we stay on Whittier, and head up the road to investigate two beautiful homes, number 1005, and number 1305. These two residences were completed in the same year, in two very different, yet equally popular, architectural approaches. 

1005 Whittier
Beckett & Akitt designed this beautifully styled Mediterranean home, in 1927, for Frederick W. Dalby. The Mediterranean approach was incredibly popular throughout Grosse Pointe, and the United States, during the 1920’s’, and there are some suburb examples throughout the community. It is a unique style, but also very similar to the Spanish Revival buildings…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 750 Whittier

Last week we introduced you to 487 Rivard. Esselstyn and Murphy completed this grand clapboard Colonial property, in 1919, for Bernhard Stroh Jr., former president of the Stroh Brewery Company. 

This week we head to Grosse Pointe Park, and to a classic Tudor Revival estate, 750 Whittier. This spectacular residence was completed, in 1920, for Detroit lumber baron, Frederic M. Sibley. According to an article in the Detroit Free Press, when the house was built it disturbed a rum-running operation that used the shore as a landing spot.

It appears the architect for this property could be the noted designer, Charles Kotting, which is the name listed on our files. Charles Kotting was one of the most prestigious architects in the city of Detroit during…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 487 Rivard

Last week we presented 1 Donovan Place, completed in 1916, by George D. Mason, for Fremont Woodruff. The superb French styled home is situated next to the lake; the original address of the residence was 17160 E. Jefferson.

This week we are going to introduce you to 487 Rivard, Grosse Pointe City. Esselstyn and Murphy completed this superb clapboard colonial style home, in 1919, for Bernard Stroh Jr., former president of the Stroh Brewery Company.

Rivard, named after the Rivard family, one of the earliest French farmers to settle in the Grosse Pointe region, was heavily developed in the early twentieth century. Many of the older homes on this prestigious street were constructed between 1918 and 1922, having been designed by several leading…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 1 Donovan Place

Last week we introduced you to the work of Hancock & Butler. The firm was particular active in Grosse Pointe during the late 1920’s, as both designer’s and builders. Between 1928 through 1931 they designed and built around 17 homes, in the Farms and City.

This week we are going to stop by 1 Donovan Place. Completed in 1916, by George D. Mason, for Fremont Woodruff, the original address of the residence was 17160 E. Jefferson.

George Mason first appeared in Grosse Pointe in 1882. The firm of Mason & Rice was commissioned to design ‘Edgmere’ for Joseph Berry; one of the first grand year-round homes in the community (located at 50 Lake Shore Drive – now demolished).

At the time the predominant style of the firm was heavily influenced by…

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