Real Estate Blog - Architecture of Grosse Pointe

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Grosse Pointe Municipal Buildings – Farms and City

Last week we began a series on the superb municipal buildings in community – beginning with the history of the structure in Grosse Pointe Park designed by George J. Haas, completed in 1918.

This week we continue with our presentation as we stop by the municipal buildings in the Farms and the City, both of which have a very different story to tell. As we mentioned last week, in general, the term “municipal building” means any enclosed building or structure owned or leased and occupied by the town for the purpose of providing municipal services. Several of the structures in Grosse Pointe were designed by some of the more distinguished architects in Detroit.

Grosse Pointe Farms:
The structure in Grosse Pointe Farms was the second earliest municipal…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Grosse Pointe Park Municipal Building

Last week we presented 16960 E. Jefferson, designed by Raymond Carey for Mrs. Mary Schmidt in 1927-1928. Located on nine lots, the lavish 40-room mansion had the “substantial elegance of a German castle." It was razed in the early 1970's.

This week we begin a short series on the superb municipal buildings in Grosse Pointe, several of which were created before 1920, having been designed by some of the most noted architects of the era. In general, the term “municipal building” means any enclosed building or structure owned or leased and occupied by the town for the purpose of providing municipal services.

Arguably one of the more impressive municipal buildings in the community is the structure in Grosse Pointe Park (located at 15115 East…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 16960 E. Jefferson

Over the past couple of weeks, we have presented the work of English born architect Raymond Carey. Last week we took an in-depth look at one of his projects, 234 Provencal. The sublime Tudor style home was created in 1929, for George Malvin Holley Sr.

This week we conclude our series on the work of Raymond Carey as we explore 16960 E. Jefferson, completed in 1927-1928. Many of the homes Raymond Carey worked on in Grosse Pointe were created during the 1920’s and 1930’s. It appears he designed around 15 prestigious residences, the majority of which were created in his signature Georgian and Tudor Revival approach for prominent clientele. Unlike many of the noted architects who worked in Grosse Pointe during this era, it appears very few of Carey’s…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 234 Provencal

Last week we presented the work of Raymond Carey and the many fabulous homes he created in Grosse Pointe. Carey was a key figure in Grosse Pointe, creating prestigious homes for prominent clientele during the 1920’s – 1930’s. His work was extremely sought after.

This week we take a more in-depth look at one of Carey’s projects, 234 Provencal. This sublime Tudor style home was created in 1929, for George Malvin Holley Sr. At one point Mr. Holley owned five homes in Grosse Pointe, two of which were designed by Raymond Carey.

Many of the homes Raymond Carey worked on in Grosse Pointe were created during the 1920’s and 1930’s. The majority were in his signature Georgian and Tudor Revival approach, including 234 Provencal. At its height of popularity…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Architect Raymond Carey

Last week we concluded our series on landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman as we explored 380 Provencal. The American Colonial style home was designed by Raymond Carey for Mr. and Mrs. Courtenay D. Allington in 1929. Ellen Biddle Shipman designed the formal garden - her second project on Provencal.

This week we continue with the work of Raymond Carey as we look at some of the many fabulous homes he created in Grosse Pointe. Carey was a key figure in Grosse Pointe, creating prestigious homes for prominent clientele during the 1920’s – 1930’s. His work was extremely sought after.

Raymond Marwood-Elton Carey was born in Guernsey, Channel Islands (United Kingdom) on 27 August 1883. He was educated in Bath, but by 1901, he had relocated to London…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 380 Provencal

Last week we took a final look at the collective efforts of Charles A. Platt and Ellen Biddle Shipman as we explored 242 Provencal. The lost mansion was completed in 1934, for Mrs. Marion Jarvis Alger. It was razed in the 2000's. 

This week we take a look at our final Ellen Biddle Shipman project as we stop by 380 Provencal. The American Colonial style home was designed by Raymond Carey for Mr. and Mrs. Courtenay D. Allington in 1929. Ellen Biddle Shipman designed the formal garden - her second project on Provencal.

380 Provencal is an excellent example of an early American Colonial home. The 6,779 sq ft residence has superb views over the golf course and of course a beautiful garden at the rear of the house. The interior of the home had great…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 242 Provencal

Last week we continued with the collaborative work of Charles Platt and Ellen Biddle Shipman as we explored 99 Lothrop. The Georgian Colonial property was designed for Allen Fulton Edwards in 1928, Ellen Biddle Shipman, designed the garden.

This week we take a final look at the collective efforts of this talented duo as we explore 242 Provencal. The lost mansion was completed in 1934, for Mrs. Marion Jarvis Alger, the widow of Russel A. Alger Jr.

The affiliation of Charles Platt and Ellen Biddle Shipman began around 1910. By 1912, Shipman was collaborating with Platt on gardens across the United States, including one of their first joint projects in Grosse Pointe - 32 Lake Shore “the Moorings” (now the War Memorial) in 1910/11, created for…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 99 Lothrop

Last week we explored one of the finest homes in the City of Grosse Pointe, 17315 E Jefferson, designed by nationally renowned artist Charles A. Platt for Mrs. Arthur McGraw in 1927.

This week we continue with the work of Charles Platt as we visit 99 Lothrop. Designed for Allen Fulton Edwards in 1928, the project concluded a long association between Mr. Edwards and the fine architects he hired to create homes for himself and his wife Christine, in Metro Detroit.

The project at 99 Lothrop not only created a grand home but also re-united Charles Platt with landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman, who would design the garden at the property. The talented duo enjoyed a long affiliation that began around 1910, when Shipman was living in New…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 17315 E. Jefferson

Last week we concluded our exploration of the work by Ruth Bramley Dean as we explored 290 Provencal, one of three gardens she created in Grosse Pointe that resulted in her becoming the first woman to be awarded the prestigious Architectural League of New York’s Gold Medal.

This week we feature one of the finest homes in the City of Grosse Pointe, 17315 E Jefferson, designed by nationally renowned artist Charles Platt. We have previously covered some of Platts work, including a recent feature of his collaborative project with landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman at the War Memorial (32 Lake Shore).

Charles A. Platt was considered one of America’s more influential landscape designers. He was also a respected artist and self-taught architect.…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 290 Provencal

Last week we delved deeper into one of the gardens designed by Ruth Bramley Dean - 354 University Place, Grosse Pointe. The property was completed in 1914, by Detroit based architect F. Gordon Pickell for Charles Bagley DuCharme. However, the garden was created for Mrs. Elizabeth Bonbright - who had purchased the home from Mr. DuCharme around 1922-1923.

This week we conclude our exploration of the work by Ruth Bramley Dean as we look at 290 Provencal. This was one of three gardens she created in Grosse Pointe that resulted in her becoming the first woman to be awarded the prestigious Architectural League of New York’s Gold Medal.

290 Provencal was completed in 1924, having been designed by Robert O. Derrick for Hiram Walker Jr., and his wife…

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