Real Estate Blog - Architecture of Grosse Pointe

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, Part 1

Last week we covered the story of the Grosse Pointe Club, designed by prominent Grosse Pointe architect Robert O. Derrick. Affectionately known as the “Little Club” the clubhouse officially opened in January 1927, at 6 Berkshire Place on the shores of Lake St. Clair. 

This week we continue with the theme of clubs in Grosse Pointe as we pay a visit to the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, located at 788 Lake Shore Road in Grosse Pointe Shores. In part one of our two-part series, we look at when the club was formed, the architect, and the costs associated with building the clubhouse.

The Grosse Pointe Yacht Club was originally founded in 1914, by a group of sailing and iceboating enthusiasts. In its early days it is widely acknowledged the focus of the…

1850 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Grosse Pointe Club

Happy 2023!

In the last post of 2022, we presented 714 Grand Marais, one of the crown jewels of Grosse Pointe Park. The stunning Mediterranean style home on the shores of Lake St. Clair was designed by Robert O. Derrick in 1925.

For our first post in 2023, we continue with the work of Robert O. Derrick with one of his earliest projects in the community – the Grosse Pointe Club, affectionately known as the “Little Club.” The clubhouse officially opened in January 1927, at 6 Berkshire Place on the shores of Lake St. Clair.

Grosse Pointe has always had an array of private clubs, the earliest dates to 1886 when the original Country Club of Detroit was completed. The club hired architect William E. Brown to design a clubhouse, to be situated on…

1094 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 714 Grand Marais

Last week we concluded our series on the Detroit Free Press Home-of the-Week recipients, 390 Merriweather was awarded the converted title in November 1938. The property is a splendid Cape Cod designed and built by Walter H. Mast. The "model home" was held open to the public, in November 1938, for one day only - the total number of visitors for the day was approximately four thousand!

This week to round off the year we head to one of the crown jewels of Grosse Pointe Park, 714 Grand Marais, designed by Robert O. Derrick in 1925. The Mediterranean style home on the shores of Lake St. Clair is one of sheer beauty.

714 Grand Marais is situated on a 0.77-acre lot with 175’ lake frontage. The house is currently 12,032 sq ft however, it appears prior…

834 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 390 Merriweather

Last week we presented two Detroit Free Press Home-of-the Week recipients from 1936. The residences, 305 and 307 Merriweather, couldn’t have been more different in terms of architectural approach. However, what united them was that they were designed for the modern American family. 

This week we stay on Merriweather to conclude our series on the Detroit Free Press Home-of the-Week recipients. Located on this popular street, 390 Merriweather (formerly 272 Merriweather) is a splendid Cape Cod property designed and built by Walter H. Mast in 1938. Mr. Mast was also responsible for the design and build of 305 Merriweather (as featured last week).

Walter H. Mast was a prominent architect/builder in Metro Detroit. He designed and/or built over fifty…

711 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Detroit Free Press Homes-of-the-Week

Last week we explored 285 Mt. Vernon (formerly 37 Mt. Vernon), featured in the Detroit Free Press as it’s Home-of-the-Week in November 1936. 285 Mt. Vernon is an excellent example of a 1930’s “modern” family home.

This week we stay with the Detroit Free Press Home-of-the Week as we take a more in-depth look at two of the Grosse Pointe homes that were awarded the coveted title, also in 1936. 

The 1936 Home-of-the-Week recipients varied considerably in architectural style, they included Modern, International, Ranch, Colonial, Tudor, Old-English, and Cape Cod. As previously mentioned, when selecting the properties for the title it appears the architect was not the main criteria, and it was rare for the name of the architect or the builder to be…

1020 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 285 Mt. Vernon

Last week we presented 324 McMillan, completed in 1935. Designed by Merrit & Cole, the house was constructed by eight well-known and respected east side Detroit builders who collaborated on the project to create the “modern” ‘1935 Better Style Home’, as featured in the Detroit Free Press.

This week we stay with theme of “modern” properties as we visit 285 Mt. Vernon (formerly 37 Mt. Vernon), featured in the Detroit Free Press as it’s Home-of-the-Week in November 1936. 285 Mt. Vernon is a further excellent example of a 1930’s “modern” home that was created with several key features in mind – the property was to be a home and not just another house, it was to be a home in which every modern convenience was to be installed to meet every need of the…

908 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 324 McMillan

Last week we featured a wonderful English Tudor home in Grosse Pointe Park – 1025 Buckingham. The 4,227 sq ft property was completed in 1938-39 for Ray W. Scott, who built it for himself. The house was designed and built by Joseph J. Berger – a renowned designer and builder during the 1930’s. Mr. Berger built multiple uniquely shaped properties in Grosse Pointe Park during this era.

This week we stay with projects associated with Joseph J. Berger as we visit 324 McMillan, completed in 1935. Designed by Merrit & Cole, the house was constructed by eight well-known and respected east side Detroit builders who collaborated on the project to create the 1935 Better Style Home, as featured in the Detroit Free Press. 

The eight builders involved in the…

1168 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 1025 Buckingham

Last week we went to Briarcliff Drive in Grosse Pointe Woods to explore The Liggett School and the Headmaster's residence, completed in 1964-65 and 1966 respectively. The properties, located adjacent to each other at 850 and 800 Briarcliff Drive, are superb examples of Georgian architecture.

This week we return to residential architecture as we visit a wonderful English Tudor home in Grosse Pointe Park – 1025 Buckingham. The 4,227 sq ft property was completed in 1938-39 for Ray W. Scott, who built it for himself. The house was designed and built by Joseph J. Berger – a renowned designer and builder during the 1930’s. Mr. Berger built multiple uniquely shaped properties in Grosse Pointe Park during this era.

While 1025 Buckingham may not be…

1486 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Liggett School and Headmaster’s Residence

Last week we stopped by a unique piece of land to present the history of the St. Paul Cemetery. Located on the northeast corner of Country Club Drive and Moross in Grosse Pointe Farms, the cemetery dates to around 1868. It was and still is the only cemetery in Grosse Pointe. The cemetery is the resting place for members of some of the earliest families to inhabit Grosse Pointe, including Vernier, Trombley, Moross, Renaud, Kerby, Beaufait, Moran, and Cadieux families.

This week we head to Briarcliff in Grosse Pointe Woods to review The Liggett School and the Headmaster's residence, completed in 1964-65 and 1966 respectively. The properties are located adjacent to each other at 850 Briarcliff Drive and 800 Briarcliff Drive.

The Liggett School –…

3353 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The St. Paul Cemetery

Last week we visited 1251 Devonshire, a classically styled center entrance Colonial home. The property was completed in 1916-1917 by John W. Case for George Washington Yeoman and his wife Lucie Anne Clark Prentice. Mr. Yeoman was widely known in business circles and a former vice president of the Continental Motor Company. 

This week we are going to move away from architecture to present the history of a unique piece of land – the St. Paul Cemetery. Located on the northeast corner of Country Club Drive and Moross in Grosse Pointe Farms, the cemetery dates to around 1868. It was and still is the only cemetery in Grosse Pointe. The cemetery is the resting place for members of some of the earliest families to inhabit Grosse Pointe, including Vernier,…

1426 Views, 0 Comments