Real Estate Blog - Grosse Pointe Real Estate

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Arthur Schmidt

Last week we explored 40 Sunningdale, designed by Canadian born architect Edmund Primeau who created numerous homes in Grosse Pointe in varying architectural styles, primarily during the 1940’s and 1950’s, including 464 Chalfonte in 1948.

This week we continue with the work of lesser-known architects as we present the work of Arthur Schmidt. During the 1950’s he designed several large stores for Jacobson’s - a regional upscale department store chain who primarily operated in Michigan and Florida, along with at least three homes in Grosse Pointe, one of which was his own residence.

Arthur Otto August Schmidt may not be a house-hold name, but he made an important contribution to evolving the architectural scene in Metro Detroit. He was born on…

501 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 40 Sunningdale Drive

Last week we stopped on Chalfonte Avenue in Grosse Pointe Farms to review a selection of properties on part of the street where the rear of the homes overlook the golf course at the prestigious Country Club of Detroit.

One of the homes we featured on Chalfonte (number 464) was designed by a Canadian born architect Edmund Primeau and built by Hilary Micou. Primeau was a versatile designer who created numerous homes in Grosse Pointe in varying architectural styles, primarily during the 1940’s and 1950’s. Arguably one of his most prominent projects was 40 Sunningdale.

40 Sunningdale, a striking Colonial inspired home, was completed in 1957 for Alfred L. Marks and his wife Virginia Backus. It was originally located on a secluded 1.9-acre lot,…

623 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Chalfonte Avenue

Last week we stopped by 1001 Cadieux, the former carriage house of 16761 E. Jefferson – a grand estate designed by one of Detroit’s finest architects, Louis Kamper. The estate was built between 1916-17, for Christian Henry Haberkorn, Jr., a prominent banker in Detroit. Today 1001 Cadieux is its own charming residence.

This week we head to Chalfonte Avenue in Grosse Pointe Farms. We recently featured a stunning Mid-Century Ranch, 452 Chalfonte, so we thought we would look at a few more properties on this part of the street where the rear of the homes overlook the golf course at the prestigious Country Club of Detroit. Image courtesy of GoogleEarth.

The majority of the homes that run along this part of Chalfonte are single-story ranches, built…

616 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 1001 Cadieux

Last week we presented some of the yellow brick homes found in Grosse Pointe Park. Yellow brick was a popular building material in certain regions and for specific types of buildings, including numerous residences in the area that were built during the 1920’s.

This week we visit 1001 Cadieux, the former carriage house of 16761 E. Jefferson – a grand estate designed by one of Detroit’s finest architects, Louis Kamper. The estate was built between 1916-17, for Christian Henry Haberkorn, Jr., a prominent banker in Detroit. Today 1001 Cadieux is its own residence.

A few weeks ago, we presented the history of carriage houses with some fine examples that can be found in Grosse Pointe. Carriage houses played a key role as part of the large estates that…

622 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Yellow Brick Homes

Last week we explored a house that is celebrating its 100th anniversary - 1175 Three Mile Drive. This historic home was designed by George D. Mason & Company in 1925, for pioneering electrical engineer Frank E. Fisher.

This week we turn our attention to some of the yellow brick homes found in Grosse Pointe Park. Yellow brick was a popular building material in certain regions and for specific types of buildings, including numerous residences in the area, such as Grosse Pointe Park. It is acknowledged yellow bricks, particularly those with a hint of gold, conveyed “an essence of wealth, status and prestige," and were sometimes chosen for its resemblance to stone. This distinctive look made yellow bricks popular for higher-end commercial buildings,…

1621 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 1175 Three Mile Drive

Last week we explored a Mid-Century Ranch, 452 Chalfonte. This eye-catching home was completed in 1952, having been created by a group of very talented artists - architect Omer C. Bouschor, builder James Monahan, landscape architect Eleanor Roache, and the renowned firm of Meathe & Kessler, who designed the original patio.

This week we stop by a house that is celebrating its 100th anniversary - 1175 Three Mile Drive. This historic home was designed by George D. Mason & Company for pioneering electrical engineer Frank E. Fisher. Image courtesy of: digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org

1175 Three Mile is a substantial 8,166 sq ft house designed in the English Cottage style, which was very popular in Grosse Pointe during this era. It is…

1086 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 452 Chalfonte

Last week we concluded our two-part series on Bedford Road with some more architecturally interesting homes that were constructed by noted architects during the 1930’s and 1940’s. 

This week we turn our attention to a Mid-Century Ranch, 452 Chalfonte. This eye-catching home was completed in 1952, having been created by a group of very talented artists - architect Omer C. Bouschor, builder James Monahan, landscape architect Eleanor Roache, and the renowned firm of Meathe & Kessler, who designed the original patio.

The homes Omer Cecil Bouschor designed are exquisite. With the majority are under 7,000 sq ft in size, his work covered a broad spectrum of architectural styles. Omer Bouschor was born on 30 October 1902, in Thompson, MI.…

827 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe –Bedford Road – Part 2

Last week we stopped by one of the most architecturally interesting streets in Grosse Pointe Park, Bedford Road (Part 1), to review the range of architectural styles on some of the homes built in and around the 1920’s on the John H. Tigchon’s subdivision.

This week we stay on Bedford Road to conclude the series with some more architecturally interesting homes (on the same subdivision) that were constructed by noted architects during the 1930’s, 1940’s, plus one in 1950.

780 Bedford - 1935

This large Colonial style home was created by the noted architect J. Ivan Dise in 1935. Dise created many residences in Grosse Pointe along with the distinctive Farms pumping station in 1929. The majority of his work in Grosse Pointe occurred during the…

697 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe –Bedford Road – Part 1

Last week we explored some of Grosse Pointe’s carriage houses that were part of the many grand estates built during the early twentieth century. Designed by some of Detroit’s leading architects they had (and have) unique architectural charm and historic significance.

This week we head to one of the most architecturally interesting streets in Grosse Pointe Park, Bedford Road. In Part 1 of the two-part series, we are going to review the range of architectural styles that can be found on this captivating street, with just some of the homes built in and around the 1920’s on the John H. Tigchon’s subdivision.

Many of the houses in Grosse Pointe Park were built during the 1920’ and 1930’s, during a period of growth and architectural transformation in…

658 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Grosse Pointe’s Carriage Houses

Last week we presented the history of some of Grosse Pointe’s turn-of-the-century summer cottages. Located in picturesque settings next to the lake many of these Queen Anne style structures have been demolished, however there are still a few that remain in the community.

This week we turn our attention to the history of carriage houses - with some fine examples in Grosse Pointe. Carriage houses played a key role in the grand estates that were built in Grosse Pointe (and throughout the world) during the early twentieth century.

From the beginning of the twentieth century Grosse Pointe became the prime location for wealthy businessmen to build grand estates. Many of these magnificent residences included a carriage house as part of the estate,…

1189 Views, 0 Comments