Real Estate Blog - Architecture of Grosse Pointe

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe - Lake Terrace, Residences of John S. Newberry and James McMillan

Last week we reviewed 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. In 1911, Wilby with Albert Kahn completed 99 Lake Shore Drive, completed in 1911 for John S. Newberry Jr. 

This week we stay with the Newberry Family and the ‘Lake Terrace’ residences that were owned by close friends and founders of the Michigan Car Works, Congressman John S. Newberry Sr. and Senator James McMillan. 

Towards the end of the 19th century John S. Newberry and James McMillan played a key role in developing the residential growth of Grosse Pointe, and the industrial growth in Detroit. In 1875, having purchased numerous French strip farms in…

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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…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 16632 E. Jefferson

Last week we presented one of Grosse Pointe’s largest homes – 15530 Windmill Pointe. The huge 14,547 sq ft stately Colonial Revival mansion was completed in 1929, by one of the most prominent architectural firms in the state, Smith, Hinchman and Grylls. Hal H. Smith, a leading attorney in the city and a patron of the arts, commissioned it.

This week we head to another iconic home -16632 E. Jefferson. Located on the shores of Lake St. Clair it was commissioned by Edgar Bowen in 1926, and designed by Wallace Frost.

16632 E. Jefferson is an 8,140 sq ft stately Tudor style home situated on a private lane (adjacent to Jefferson Court, that we recently profiled) on nearly one acre of land. It features an abundance of fine classic Tudor traits…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 15530 Windmill Pointe

Last week we explored one of Grosse Pointe’s most historic and prestigious homes 625 Lake Shore Rd. Completed in 1909, as a summer cottage for Harry Mulford Jewett, Walter MacFarlane designed the gracious white clapboard Colonial revival residence.

This week we visit one of Grosse Pointe’s largest homes – 15530 Windmill Pointe. The immense 14,547 sq ft stately Colonial Revival mansion was completed in 1929, by one of the most prominent architectural firms in the state, Smith, Hinchman and Grylls. Hal H. Smith, a leading attorney in the city and a patron of the arts, commissioned it.

15530 Windmill Pointe is situated on 1.9 acres of land on the shores of Lake St. Clair with 200’ of water frontage. The house is constructed of brick, with a slate…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 16710 E. Jefferson The Old and The New

Last week we explored 1305 Whittier, a charming Tudor home completed in 1927, by Rupert W. Koch for James E. Sheridan.

This week we are going to bring you the story of 16710 E. Jefferson, the old and the new - the original house that was located on the property, the now remodeled residence, and the sub division it became part of. 

Over the past few months we have featured several homes that fall under ‘The Old and the New’ category – residences that once had an historic older property that has either been replaced or been remodeled, including: 735 Lake Shore, 655 Lake Shore, 501-507 Lake Shore (the former Stonehurst Estate), and 824 Lake Shore.

16710 E. Jefferson has had a long and interesting history. Completed in 1896, the property is one…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 1305 Whittier, Grosse Pointe Park

Last week we reviewed the work of Oscar C. Gottesleben & Walter A. Bernardi. Together they designed at least three homes in Grosse Pointe between 1912 through to 1927.

This week we head to 1305 Whittier – located on arguably one of Grosse Pointe’s more prestigious and architecturally interesting streets. Whittier is filled with an abundance of homes created in a broad spectrum of architectural styles by some of Detroit’s leading designer’s including – Richard H. Marr, Clarence E. Day, George V. Pottle, J. H. Gustav Steffens and Charles Kotting. 

1305 Whittier is a charming Tudor home completed in 1927, by Rupert W. Koch for James E. Sheridan. The design of this 3,317 sq ft house is quite unusual in that both the exterior and interior boast a…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to the Work of Gottesleben & Bernardi

Last week we explored 725 Grand Marais. Completed in 1926, the classically styled center entrance Colonial was designed by Charles Kotting for Earle Walter Parcells. 

This week we review the work of Oscar C. Gottesleben & Walter A. Bernardi. Together they designed at least three homes in Grosse Pointe between 1912 through to 1927. 

We can find very little information on Walter A. Bernardi, but we do know Oscar C. Gottesleben was a noted architect in Detroit during the early twentieth century. As a member of the Detroit Architectural Club Gottesleben was associated with several of the cities leading architects of this era such as Marcus Burrowes, Gustav Steffens, Dalton J. V. Snyder, Frank C. Baldwin, and William F. Goodrich. Gottesleben was also…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 725 Grand Marais

Last week we presented 333 Lincoln. Completed in 1918, the magnificent English Tudor style home was designed by George W. Graves for Fanny Judson (Knight) Butler, widow of William Addison Butler Jr. It is one of three impressive residences Graves designed on this noted street. 

This week we visit another standout property – 725 Grand Marais. Distinguished architect Charles Kotting designed it in 1926, for Earle Walter Parcells. 

The street of Grand Marais, in Grosse Pointe Park, has many significant homes in numerous architectural approaches that were created by some of Detroit’s finest designers during the 1920’s and 1930’s. The first property to be built was 732 Grand Marais, completed in 1921. 725 Grand Marais (original address 825 Grand…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 55 Lewiston Road

Last week, in part two of the work by Alden Dow, we presented two further projects he completed in the community – 96 Handy Road and 888 Pemberton.

This week we head to 55 Lewiston Rd. Completed in 1942, this striking center entrance Colonial residence was designed by noted architect Frank A. Miles and built by respected builder James J. Monahan for Frank H. Boos.

During the first half of the 20th century, an era of substantial residential growth in Grosse Pointe Farms, Lewiston Road became the location of numerous impactful homes that were created by some of Detroit’s more noted architects, including:

•        87 and 115 Lewiston - William F. Goodrich, 1919
•        180 Lewiston - Marcus Burrowes, 1922
•        128 Lewiston - Louis…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Work of Alden Dow - Welcome to 96 Handy and 888 Pemberton

Last week, in part one, we introduced the work of Alden B. Dow in Grosse Pointe – with an exploration of 741 Middlesex in Grosse Pointe Park. Completed in 1941, for Robbie Robinson, it relies heavily on Dow’s patented award winning unit block construction method – one of only 13 homes that feature the award wining unit block system.

This week, in part two, we present two further projects Alden Dow completed in the community – welcome to 96 Handy Road and 888 Pemberton.

Dow’s buildings, like those of Frank Lloyd Wright, took much of their styling from the natural environment. He described his own philosophy of design, as “Architecture is more than the front face of the building. It is the location of the building. It is the plan of the building.…

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