Real Estate Blog - George J. Haas

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Grosse Pointe Park Municipal Building

Posted by Kay Agney on October 17th, 2023

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 – Stevens T. Mason Elementary School

Posted by Kay Agney on October 11th, 2022

Last week we presented the history of Robert Trombly Elementary School, designed by Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls. Completed in 1927, it’s considered “an architectural masterpiece”. In June 2020, Robert Trombly school was closed for good.

This week we conclude our exploration of historic elementary schools in Grosse Pointe as we visit Stevens T. Mason Elementary School located at 640 Vernier Rd, Grosse Pointe Woods. The school was completed in 1928-1929, having been designed by renowned architect George J. Haas who primarily specialized in designing schools and municipal buildings on the east side of Metro Detroit. Before designing Stevens T. Mason School, Haas had already completed two schools for the Grosse Pointe Public School District - Defer…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Defer Elementary School

Posted by Kay Agney on September 20th, 2022

Over the past couple of weeks, we have run a three-part series on the historic St. Paul’s Church complex. The series concluded with a review of the school and convent buildings, designed by Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls in September 1927. 

This week we stay with the theme of historic schools in Grosse Pointe as we visit Defer Elementary School - the oldest public-school building still in use in the Grosse Pointe Public School district. Defer was designed by renowned Detroit architect George J. Haas. Construction began in 1924, classes opened in February 1925. 

Defer Elementary School was originally built for Rural Agricultural School, District No. 1. It is located on the corner of Kercheval and Nottingham Road in Grosse Pointe Park. In 1921, Rural…

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