Real Estate Blog - Grosse Pointe Real Estate

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Oxford Road – Part 2.

Last week we presented a house listed on the National Register of Historic Places – 33 Oldbrook Lane, formerly known as “East Hall”. This incredible property was designed by George D. Mason in 1916-17, for John T. Woodhouse, one of Detroit’s leading tobacco merchants.

This week we return Oxford Road and the many homes developed by realtor and developer Arthur J. Scully. The development managed by Mr. Scully created the new Oxford subdivision during the late 1920’s and early 1930’s. In our first blog post about Oxford Road, we explored two of the larger homes developed by Scully - number 30 and number 40, located in the first block off Lake Shore. Both homes were designed in 1930, by two of Metro Detroit’s finest architectural firms – Smith, Hinchman &…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 33 Oldbrook Lane.

Last week we explored the work of Walker and Weeks, an extremely prominent architectural firm in Cleveland with over 600 buildings to its name. In Grosse Pointe the firm completed just two residences in 1923 and 1935 – 1040 Devonshire and 717 Westchester. 

This week we head to a house listed on the National Register of Historic Places – welcome to 33 Oldbrook Lane, formerly known as “East Hall”. This incredible property was designed by George D. Mason in 1916-17, for John T. Woodhouse, one of Detroit’s leading tobacco merchants. The original address of the residence was 325 Lake Shore and prior to that it was 337 Lake Shore. We understand the change in the address from 337 to 325 occurred in the late 1930's.  The house also once had an…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Architects Frank R. Walker and Harry F. Weeks

Last week we presented 1100 Berkshire, the former residence of Leonard B. Willeke - noted Grosse Pointe architect. Leonard Willeke had a long association with Grosse Pointe, aside from the stunning home he created for himself he designed multiple residences throughout the community. He and his wife, Leona, resided in GP Park for over fifty years. 

This week we explore the work of a firm we haven’t covered before – welcome to the projects of Walker and Weeks, an extremely prominent architectural firm in Cleveland with over 600 buildings to its name. Here in Grosse Pointe the firm completed just two residences in 1923 and 1935.

1040 Devonshire
Walker and Weeks first project in Grosse Pointe was a remarkable 5,442 sq ft Italian Renaissance style…

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2021 Annual Report – Grosse Pointe Real Estate

Higbie Maxon Agney is pleased to offer its 2021 Grosse Pointe Real Estate Annual Report. Within this report you will find information on average sale prices, sales volume, real estate trends, and much more.

Our goal is to give you an accurate and complete picture of the 2021 Grosse Pointe housing market. All of the graphs were produced internally for Higbie Maxon Agney using MiRealSource multiple listing service. We are confident that these are the best statistics currently available on the Grosse Pointe housing market, and we hope that you will find the contents of this report readable and useful. Over the coming months we will use this information to help our clients make informed, educated real estate decisions. 

2021 was a fast-paced year…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 1100 Berkshire

Last week we presented two grande dames that exist on the first block of Oxford – number 30 and number 40. The two houses were developed by Arthur J. Scully. Both homes were designed in 1930, by two of Metro Detroit’s finest architectural firms – Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, and Herman & Simons.

This week we head to a very special home indeed – welcome to 1100 Berkshire, the former residence of Leonard B. Willeke - noted Grosse Pointe architect. Leonard Willeke had a long association with Grosse Pointe Park, aside from the many homes he designed throughout the community, he and his wife, Leona, resided in the city for over fifty years. 

Leonard B. Willeke was one of the most adaptable and prolific architects to work in the Detroit area. He was…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Oxford Road – Part 1

Last week we introduced you to 665 Lake Shore, a lost home that was located on the corner of Oxford Road and Lake Shore. The Regency Moderne style property was completed for prolific inventor, Robert Pauli Scherer, in 1951. It was designed by architect Hugh T. Keyes who considered the property to be one of his more significant works.

This week we turn our attention back to Oxford Road and two grande dames that exist on the first block – number 30 and number 40. Having recently featured their once close neighbor 22 Oxford Road (a property that was razed in 2006), we wanted to continue the story of this prestigious street. 

The origins of Oxford Road appear to date back to the ribbon farms of the 18th Century – the long narrow strips of land that…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 665 Lake Shore Road

Last week we presented the story of 22 Oxford Road. Completed in 1941, the property was built for respected businessmen and acclaimed powerboat owner and racer Herbert (Herb) A. Mendelsohn. It is not known who designed the house, but it appears it was built by prolific builder Walter Mast. It was razed in 2006.

This week we would like to introduce you to another lost home that was located on the corner of Oxford Road and Lake Shore – welcome to 665 Lake Shore. The Regency Moderne style property was completed for prolific inventor, Robert Pauli Scherer, in 1951. It was designed by prominent architect Hugh T. Keyes who considered the property to be one of his more significant works. 

665 Lake Shore was a 7,050 sq ft home, situated on 3 lots. The…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 22 Oxford Road

Last week we presented the story of Frank D. Wilberding, a prolific builder of fine homes in Grosse Pointe. In the space of 25 years, from around 1950 through to the 1970’s, Mr. Wilberding helped design and build over one hundred homes in the community. The majority of the “Wilberding Homes” are classically styled center entrance Colonial properties - one of the most popular architectural styles found in Grosse Pointe. 

This week we turn our attention to a home completed in 1941, that has been lost over time – welcome to 22 Oxford. The property was built for respected industrialist and acclaimed powerboat owner and racer Herbert (Herb) A. Mendelsohn. It is not known who designed the house, but it appears it was built by prolific builder Walter…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Work of Builder Frank D. Wilberding

Happy 2022!

In our last post we shared the story of our very own office - 83 Kercheval. The roots of Higbie Maxon Agney can be traced back to 1929, to the Maxon Brothers Real Estate firm, started by Paul and Richard Maxon. The Maxon Brothers office was originally located at 16914 Kercheval, in The Village. During the early 1940’s the brothers moved to their new office on the Hill, located at 83 Kercheval where Higbie Maxon Agney remains located today.

For our first post in 2022, we would like to present the story of Frank D. Wilberding, a prolific builder of fine homes in Grosse Pointe. In the space of 25 years, from around 1950 through to the 1970’s, Mr. Wilberding helped design and build over one hundred homes in the community. The majority of…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe - 83 Kercheval

Last week we introduced you to the work of George J. Haas, a noted designer responsible for creating multiple iconic buildings in Metro Detroit and Grosse Pointe, including the Grosse Pointe Park Municipal Building and Grosse Pointe South High School.

This week we would like to share the story of our very own office - 83 Kercheval. The roots of Higbie Maxon Agney can be traced back to 1929, to the Maxon Brothers Real Estate firm, started by Paul and Richard Maxon. The Maxon Brothers office was originally located at 16914 Kercheval, in The Village. During the early 1940’s the brothers moved to their new office on the Hill, located at 83 Kercheval where Higbie Maxon Agney remains located today.

The Hill, as a commercial center, began to take shape…

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