Real Estate Blog - Architecture of Grosse Pointe

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Grosse Pointe Academy – Part 2

Last week we presented part 1 of our story on one of Grosse Pointe’s most historic complexes, Grosse Pointe Academy, formally known as Academy of the Sacred Heart. Located at 171 Lake Shore, the complex is situated on an area that is almost twenty-acres. The site consists of five buildings - an early farmhouse and four larger academy buildings constructed between 1885 and 1930 – Sacred Heart Academy and Convent, St. Paul’s Parish School, the Chapel, and the Main School Building.

This week in part 2 we turn our attention to the Chapel and the Main School Building. Both buildings were constructed by leading architects of their generation.

The Chapel
In 1899-1900 noted Liturgical architect Harry J. Rill completed the chapel. The red brick structure…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Grosse Pointe Academy – Part 1

Last week we explored Neff Memorial Park, one of the oldest parks in the Grosse Pointe communities. The site was purchased on July 14, 1910. One hundred years later the residents of Grosse Pointe City celebrated the parks centennial year. To mark the anniversary Norbert P. Neff Park was rededicated to the citizens of the City of Grosse Pointe.

This week we turn our attention to one of Grosse Pointe’s most historic complexes, Grosse Pointe Academy, formally known as Academy of the Sacred Heart. Located at 171 Lake Shore, the complex is situated on a site that is almost twenty-acres. The site consists of five buildings - an early farmhouse (pictured below, constructed in 1860) and four larger academy buildings constructed between 1885 and 1930 –…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Neff Park

Last week we visited the “crown jewel” of Grosse Pointe Farms, Pier Park in Grosse Pointe Farms, a beautiful space filled with some of the best amenities in the area. Over the years it has undergone multiple changes, upgrades, and developments to become the centerpiece of the community it is today.

This week we head to Neff Park, one of the oldest parks in the Grosse Pointe communities. The site was purchased on July 14, 1910. The president at the time was Daniel T. Crowley, the clerk was William G. Diefel, and there were six trustees. In 2010, the residents of Grosse Pointe City celebrated the parks centennial year. To mark the anniversary Norbert P. Neff Park was rededicated to the citizens of the City of Grosse Pointe.

The origins of the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Pier Park

Last week we went to Grosse Pointe City to explore the St. Clair Terraces. Completed in 1928, the terraces were designed by the legendary architect C. Howard Crane and built by John P. Frazer, a noted builder in Detroit. When they formally opened, on October 6, 1929, they were “the hot new thing” in town.

This week we head to the “crown jewel” of Grosse Pointe Farms, Pier Park. Each city in Grosse Pointe has at least one municipal park on the shores of Lake St. Clair. The parks vary in size and amenities, and for many residents’ they are arguably the focal point of the community.

Pier Park in Grosse Pointe Farms is a beautiful space, filled with some of the best facilities in the area. Over the years it has undergone multiple changes, upgrades,…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The St. Clair Terraces

Last week we were on Lake Shore, exploring 785 Lake Shore, located opposite the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. Completed in 1916, it is one of the earlier homes to be constructed in the vicinity of Grosse Pointe Shores.

This week we head to Grosse Pointe City, to the street of St. Clair and to the St. Clair Terraces. Completed in 1928, the terraces were designed by the legendary architect C. Howard Crane and built by John P. Frazer, a noted builder in Detroit.

The 1920’s was a boom time in architectural development across the Grosse Pointe communities. Aside from the rapid development of many single-family homes, the period was also a time when several apartment buildings were constructed, including: 

•        The English Terrace townhouses -…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 785 Lake Shore

Last week we presented an outstanding French Normandy style home in Grosse Pointe Farms, 78 Lake Shore, completed in 1928, by the multi-talented Hugh T. Keyes for Marie Fleitz Dwyer, the widow of Francis T. Dwyer.

This week we stay on Lake Shore, heading north to explore 785 Lake Shore, located opposite the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. Completed in 1916, it is one of the earlier permanent homes to be constructed in the vicinity of Grosse Pointe Shores. 

785 Lake Shore was once located on a large double lot with a perfect view of Lake St. Clair - the main entrance had steps down to the front lawn, overlooking the lake. A real estate listing from 1975, described the house as a “mini castle”. The English architectural style home is constructed from…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 78 Lake Shore

Last week we featured the work of a lesser-known designer Joseph P. Jogerst. Born in Marathon, Wisconsin in 1884, he created at least two homes in Grosse Pointe Park – 1006 Whittier Rd and 1000 Devonshire – and was a leading name in the design of apartment buildings in Metro Detroit during the 1920’s, and the mid 1940’s.

This week we head to an outstanding home in Grosse Pointe Farms, 78 Lake Shore. The French Normandy style home was completed in 1928, by the multi-talented Hugh T. Keyes for Marie Fleitz Dwyer, the widow of Francis T. Dwyer. It is one of the finest examples of French Normandy architecture in the Grosse Pointe communities - the French Normandy style had become popular in the U.S shortly after the First World War when French chateaus…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Work of Joseph P. Jogerst

Last week we explored a rather splendid home, 1100 Three Mile Drive, completed in 1927. The property is located on the corner of Three Mile Drive and St. Paul, on a double lot, close to an acre of land that was originally part of the Henry Russel Three-Mile Subdivision (lots 23 & 24).

This week we turn our attention to the work of a lesser-known designer Joseph P. Jogerst, born in Marathon, Wisconsin in 1884. While he only created a couple of homes in Grosse Pointe Park – 1006 Whittier Rd and 1000 Devonshire – it appears he was a leading name in the design of apartment buildings in Metro Detroit during the 1920’s, and the mid 1940’s.

Joseph P. Jogerst arrived in Detroit during the early twentieth century and quickly became an active and…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 1100 Three Mile Dr.

Last week we explored 15410 Windmill Pointe. The sprawling estate was completed in 1924, by Alfred Hopkins & Associates for William Pickett Harris, Jr. an investment banker and a significant authority on zoology.

This week we stay in Grosse Pointe Park and head to a rather splendid home, 1100 Three Mile Drive, completed in 1927. The property is located on the corner of Three Mile Drive and St. Paul, on a double lot, close to an acre of land that was originally part of the Henry Russel Three-Mile Subdivision (lots 23 & 24).

1100 Three Mile Dr. is an historic Tudor residence. The design of this 4,979 sq ft house is quite unusual in that both the exterior and interior boast a harmonious blend of sharp angles and curves. The large triangular…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 15410 Windmill Pointe

Last week we presented the story of 354 Washington, a fabulous Georgian Colonial style home designed by John Scott completed in 1912. The property was one of the earliest homes to be constructed on the first block of Washington.

This week we travel to Windmill Pointe to visit another iconic home, 15410 Windmill Pointe. The sprawling estate was completed in 1924, by Alfred Hopkins & Associates for William Pickett Harris, Jr. an investment banker and a significant authority on zoology.

15410 Windmill Pointe is a splendid English Manor style home located on the shores of Lake St. Clair. The 9,599 sq ft property is constructed from sandstone with rough stucco that provides a superb blend of textures and colors. The exterior is awash with exquisite…

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