Real Estate Blog - Architecture of Grosse Pointe

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 354 Washington Rd

Last week we explored another iconic Georgian residence, the majestic 211 Vendome, designed by Robert O. Derrick in 1929, for Franklin Caldwell Walker, grandson of whiskey baron Hiram Walker. The 18,158 sq ft property is set on two and a half acres and is arguably one of the finest homes in Grosse Pointe.

This week we stay with the theme of classically designed homes as we head to 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.

We previously featured the work of John Scott a couple of weeks ago when we explored the lost estate, 575 Lake Shore also known as “Clairview”, completed between 1911-1915, for…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 211 Vendome

Last week we headed to arguably one of the most prestigious streets in Grosse Pointe - Provencal - to review an impressive Georgian residence, 34 Provencal, completed in 1912, by architectural legend Louis Kamper for John Scripps Sweeney Sr. 

This week we head to another iconic Georgian residence, the majestic 211 Vendome, designed by Robert O. Derrick in 1929, for Franklin Caldwell Walker, grandson of whiskey baron Hiram Walker. The 18,158 sq ft property is set on two and a half acres and is possibly one of the finest homes in Grosse Pointe.

211 Vendome is a classically styled Georgian home with all the many traits one would associate with this style of residence built in the 1920’s. Grosse Pointe Farms, during the 1920’s, was a time of change,…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 34 Provencal

Last week we presented the story of another lost home on the lake, 575 Lake Shore, also known as “Clairview. The Italian Renaissance “palace” was designed by Detroit based architect John Scott, between 1911-15, for Dr. Harry Norton Torrey and his wife Nell Ford (sister of Stella Ford who owned “Stonehurst”, located at 500 Lake Shore).

This week we head to arguably one of the most prestigious streets in Grosse Pointe - Provencal - to review an impressive Georgian residence, 34 Provencal, completed in 1912, by architectural legend Louis Kamper for John Scripps Sweeney Sr.

34 Provencal, located on the first block from Lake Shore, is one of the earliest residences to be built on the street. The elegant brick home is created in a Georgian…

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Historic 35 Fisher Rd

Last week we reviewed a home created by contemporary architect Anne (Krebs) Crane, 15 Moorland - she designed for her and her husband, builder George C. Crane. Ms. Crane, in conjunction with her husband, was responsible for the design and/or build of several outstanding modern properties in Grosse Pointe from the 1950’s through to the beginning of the 1990’s.

This week we head to historic 35 Fisher Road. Completed in 1909, this iconic home was designed by Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls - one of the leading architectural firms in the United States at the turn of the century. 

35 Fisher Road (original address was 285 Fisher Rd) started out as Grosse Pointe’s first telephone exchange for the Home Telephone Company, serving the community for around eight…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 15 Moorland

Last week we featured some of the homes in Grosse Pointe that use Indiana limestone as an integral part of the design, either as cladding or as trim. Indiana limestone has helped build a community and has played a massive part in the architectural history of Grosse Pointe. It remains permanently on display on some of the finest homes and public buildings in the area - an “aristocrat building material” that made such a difference to the composition of a home.

This week we jump forward into the 1950’s to review a home designed by contemporary architect Anne (Krebs) Crane, welcome to 15 Moorland. Ms. Crane was responsible for the design of several outstanding modern properties in Grosse Pointe from the 1950’s through to the beginning of the 1990’s. 

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Indiana Limestone

Last week we explored 805 Trombley, a once superb limestone clad property that was located on the corner of Tombley and Essex Drive. It appears the property was completed in 1928, by the firm of C. E. Reichle Co. Designers & Builders, for Robert E. Farley, president of the Hillgartner natural stone company in Baltimore, Maryland. It was razed in 2008.

This week we are going to feature some of the other homes in Grosse Pointe that use Indiana Limestone as an integral part of the design, either as cladding or as trim. Limestone cladding - characterized by smooth, even faces and square edges, often several inches thick - was used to shape the aesthetic of a home. However, in many cases it was the trim, the intricate carved limestone details around the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 805 Trombley

Last week we explored a rather special home in Grosse Pointe Park – 813 Trombley, a grand Tudor style home completed by the firm of Roscoe W. Babcock, Inc. In 1928, the property was open for the public to tour, presented as “one of the finest and most complete homes ever produced in Metropolitan Detroit”. 

This week we stay on Trombley to explore 805 Trombley, a once superb limestone clad property that was located on the corner of Trombley and Essex Drive. It appears the property was completed in 1928, by the firm of C. E. Reichle Co. Designers & Builders, for Robert E. Farley, president of the Hillgartner natural stone company in Baltimore, Maryland. It appears Mr. Farley opened an office for the company in Detroit in 1920. The photo below is…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 813 Trombley

Last week we visited the Grosse Pointe Farms sewage pumping station, located at 305 Chalfonte. It was completed in 1929, having been designed by prominent Detroit architect, J. Ivan Dise and built by engineering firm Hubbell, Hartgering & Roth. Image courtesy of waymarking.com

This week we explore a rather special home in Grosse Pointe Park – 813 Trombley - a grand Tudor style home completed by the firm of Roscoe W. Babcock, Inc. It is a distinct possibility that Roscoe W. Babcock designed and built 813 Trombley as a 3,569 sq ft speculative home.  The definition of a speculative home is – ‘a residence built without a particular buyer in mind or under contract but designed to appeal to the maximum market possible’. Speculative homes were…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe - Grosse Pointe Farms Sewage Pumping Station

Last week we concluded our series on Richard H. Marr, the “Architect of Midwest Millionaires” as we presented some of the residential projects he created in Grosse Pointe during the 1920’s and 1930’s.

This week we head to Grosse Pointe Farms to visit the city’s sewage pumping station, located at 305 Chalfonte. It was completed in 1929, having been designed by prominent Detroit architect, J. Ivan Dise and built by engineering firm Hubbell, Hartgering & Roth. Image courtesy of waymarking.com

The majority of Dise’s creations in Grosse Pointe occurred during the 1920’s and 30’s. Prior to designing The Village of Grosse Pointe Farms important new facility, Dise’s focus of attention in the community was primarily residential projects. His houses…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Richard H. Marr

Over the past couple of weeks, we have explored two of the homes designed by Richard H. Marr – 607 Lakepointe and 740 Whittier. The house on Whittier was one of Marr’s more distinguished projects, completed in 1933 for Detroit’s “Aluminum King” C. B. Bohn, president of Bohn Aluminum and Brass Corporation.

This week we conclude our series on Richard H. Marr, the “Architect of Midwest Millionaires” as we present some of his other projects, he created in Grosse Pointe during the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Richard Marr was born in Detroit in August 1886. After leaving to study architecture at Harvard, (graduating in 1911), Marr then spent two years working in Boston. In 1913, he returned to Detroit to work for renowned architect George D. Mason. Two years…

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