Real Estate Blog - Eleanor Roche

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Work of Eleanor Roche and Ruth Bramley Dean.

Posted by Kay Agney on August 8th, 2023

Last week we focused on the work of Ellen Biddle Shipman, a nationally renowned landscape architect who was known for her formal gardens, simple clean geometries, and lush planting style. Shipman, throughout her career, created over 650 gardens, including at least 60 in Grosse Pointe – more than any other community in the United States. 

This week we continue our profile of nationally recognized female landscape architects in Grosse Pointe as we profile two further designers – Eleanor Roche and Ruth Bramley Dean.

The early 20th century was a pivotal moment for the emergence of women in the largely male dominated field of landscape architecture. Ellen Biddle Shipman was at the forefront of this rise. In an interview in 1938, she stated, "until…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Trial Gardens at The Grosse Pointe War Memorial

Posted by Kay Agney on August 13th, 2019

Last week we explored the six splendid homes on Windmill Pointe Omer C. Boushor created during the 1930’s and 1940’s. 

This week we take a piece of Windmill Pointe with us, namely one of the historic millstones, as we present the Trial Gardens at The Grosse Pointe War Memorial. The Trial Garden was originally commissioned by the Grosse Pointe Garden Center – an organization founded in 1950 to succeed the Grosse Pointe War Memorial’s Garden and Grounds Committee. Eleanor Roche, a noted landscape architect, designed them. 

From the book Grosse Pointe War Memorial, by Ann Marie Aliotta, Suzy Berschback we understand ‘the Trial Garden was so named because it started out with workers trying to see which difference plants and flowers would do well in…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 187 Irvine Lane

Posted by Kay Agney on September 25th, 2018

Last week we introduced you to 17620 E. Jefferson, the former home of nationally recognized architect Frank C. Baldwin, built in 1907. In 1911 Dr. Fred T. Murphy purchased the house, and subsequently hired influential Grosse Pointe architect Robert O. Derrick to make extensive alterations, adding a large two-storied library to the property.

This week we stay with Robert O. Derrick’s work and visit the home he designed for Sidney T. Miller Jr., in 1949, 187 Irvine Lane.

Sidney T. Miller Jr. was a prominent attorney in Detroit. A Harvard Law School graduate he was the third member of the Miller family to work for the prestigious firm of Miller Canfield. Having joined as an associate in 1921 he made partner in 1923. The firms name was then…

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