Real Estate Blog - Grosse Pointe Real Estate

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 17315 E. Jefferson

Last week we presented one of the largest homes constructed in Grosse Pointe City, 355 Lincoln, designed by noted New York firm Alfred Hopkins & Associates for Theodore McGraw, Jr. 

This week we stay in the City of Grosse Pointe, and explore one of the finest homes in the community, 17315 E. Jefferson. The classically designed Georgian style house was completed in 1927 for Mrs. Arthur McGraw (Grace I. Butler), the widow of the Detroit merchant, who was also associated with chemists, Parke, Davis and Company. Nationally acclaimed architect Charles A. Platt  of New York designed the house, along with the garden, which contained formal architectural elements. 

The 7,113 sq ft residence is constructed of Flemish Brick, with a slate roof. The…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 355 Lincoln

Last week we presented 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 the gardens.

This week we head to Grosse Pointe City, and to one of the largest homes constructed, 355 Lincoln.

Completed in 1923 for Theodore McGraw, Jr., the noted New York firm Alfred Hopkins & Associates designed it. The 8,733 sq ft English manor is a striking property, and particularly prominent in the community. The exterior is stucco, with a slate roof. While the exterior has subtle architectural details, the inside is awash…

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

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 Windmill Pointe – the 1930’s and 1940’s Homes by Omer C. Boushor.

Last week we presented some of the magnificent mansions that were built on Windmill Pointe during the 1920’s for wealthy Detroiter's and professionals who had begun to select the location to build grand homes in the suburbs. 

This week we head into the 1930’s and 1940’s to explore some of the residences that were created by Omer C. Boushor during, and after the Great Depression.

During his career, Boushor, a Detroit based architect, created well over 29 homes in the community - more than many other architects. However, as is the case with so many prolific architects who created multiple homes in Grosse Pointe, it can be difficult to find information about them professionally and/or personally. This is no reflection on their skills as a designer,…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Windmill Pointe – the 1920’s

Last week, as we celebrate out 90th anniversary, we presented the story of Higbie Maxon Agney, an achievement Kay Agney and her team is extremely proud of. 

This week we return to Windmill Pointe. Recently we have explored the early history of Windmill Pointe, and the Windmill Point Lighthouse. As we continue the story of this historic area we take a glimpse at some of the magnificent mansions that were built during the 1920’s.

To recap, in 1916 a new group founded the Windmill Pointe Land Company. The land was subsequently subdivided and called the Windmill Pointe subdivision. It runs parallel to the lake in an easterly direction as far as Bedford Road. Beginning in the 1920’s Windmill Pointe was the height of popularity, and became a much…

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Historical Company of Grosse Pointe – Higbie Maxon Agney Celebrates its 90th Year

Last week we explored an iconic structure, the Windmill Point Lighthouse – a light that has stood at the entrance of Lake St. Clair for around 180 years. 

This week we would like to present another constant beacon in the community – Higbie Maxon Agney. This year Higbie Maxon Agney celebrates its 90th anniversary, an achievement Kay Agney and her team is extremely proud of.

The roots of the company can be traced back to 1929 to the Maxon Brothers Real Estate Firm. In 1972 Mr. Hugo S. Higbie acquired the Maxon Brothers Real Estate Firm and renamed the joined firms Higbie Maxon Realtors, Inc. That same year Higbie Maxon located to the Hill in Grosse Pointe Farms. 

However, before we go too far, lets step back in time, and then we can return…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to the Windmill Point Lighthouse

Last week we presented the history of Windmill Pointe, one of the most historic areas in the Grosse Pointe communities. The origin of the area dates back to 1712. 

This week we stay close to Windmill Pointe as we explore another iconic structure, the Windmill Point Lighthouse – a light that has stood at the entrance of Lake St. Clair for around 180 years.

The year is 1837. The customs collector in Detroit, Andrew Mack, had purchased a nearly four-acre site at the confluence of Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River for a lighthouse to be constructed. That same year Congress had appropriated $5,000 (around $133,000 today) for “building a lighthouse on Windmill Island, at the outlet of Lake St. Clair”. 12 months later, the lighthouse had been…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Windmill Pointe

Last week we presented Sunnycroft, the lost estate of Mrs. William K. Anderson that was once located at 70 Moran. It was completed in 1919 having been designed by William F. Goodrich, and demolished in 1957.

This week we head to Windmill Pointe - one of the most recognized, and historic areas in the Grosse Pointe communities. The origin of Windmill Pointe dates back to 1712.

During the early 20th century Grosse Pointe was rapidly transforming from a summer retreat to a year round residence. Improved roads to Detroit coupled with the advent of the car were heavily influencing this transformation. Grosse Pointe Park was one area in particular that was proving to be extremely popular for wealthy Detroiters and professionals to re locate to the suburbs.…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Lost Estate of Sunnycroft

Last week we explored the work of Frank A. Miles. He designed close to 20 homes that we know of, throughout Grosse Pointe between 1926 and 1948. Much of his work is on some of Grosse Pointe’s more noted streets such as Provencal, Lothrop, Touraine, and Renaud. 

This week we return to the lost estates to present 70 Moran, also known as Sunnycroft. William F. Goodrich designed this beautiful property, in 1919, for Mrs. William K. Anderson. 

As the photos below demonstrate it is a superb residence created in an English Cottage style. This approach was popular in many areas of the United States from 1915 to 1940, from small homes to grand manors. Typical characteristics associated with this approach include an asymmetric configuration, a steeply…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to the Work of Frank A. Miles

Last week we explored 226 Provencal. Completed in 1940 Frank A. Miles designed this striking Regency manor for John Lord Booth - founder, owner and chairman of numerous broadcasting companies throughout Michigan and the United States during the 1940’s.

This week we stay with the work of Frank Allen Miles and present several of his other projects that are located throughout the Grosse Pointe communities. As we mentioned last week very little is known about the career of Mr. Miles but we do know he designed close to 20 homes that we know of, throughout Grosse Pointe between 1926 and 1948. Much of his work is on some of Grosse Pointe’s more noted streets such as Provencal, Lothrop, Touraine, and Renaud.

The majority of Frank Miles projects were…

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