Real Estate Blog - Grosse Pointe Real Estate

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 55 Tonnancour

Last week we presented the history of one of the earliest homes built on Lake Shore – the Theodore Parsons Hall “Tonnancour” Estate - built in 1880, designed by Mortimer L. Smith. It was a significant estate for the emerging community of Grosse Pointe, and for Hall himself, a prominent businessman in Detroit.

This week we continue with the “Tonnancour” estate as we explore the home Theodore Hall's daughter Marie and her husband, Major Fuger, built on part of the property - 395 Lake Shore – now 55 Tonnancour Place. Completed in 1914, it was designed by Washington based architect Edward w. Donn Jr.

Theodore Parsons Hall died on January 3, 1909. His wife Alexandrine and her three surviving children (Josephine, Nathalie and Marie) continued to…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Tonnancour Estate

Last week we continued our exploration of Mid-Century Modern architecture as we presented some of the modern projects designed by James W. Conn. A fine example of his work is 781 Lake Shore, completed in 1964, for Dr. I. W. McLean.

This week we step back in time to one of the earliest homes built on Lake Shore – the Theodore Parsons Hall “Tonnancour” Estate - built in 1880, designed by Mortimer L. Smith. It was a significant estate for the emerging community of Grosse Pointe, and for Hall himself, a significant businessman in Detroit. Mr. Hall had retired early having made his fortune in the grain business and dedicated much of his time to the estate. 

Research by renowned historian Thomas W. Brunk states “In 1880, Theodore Hall purchased 63…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – James Conn

Last week we presented the work Arthur Schmidt, successful during the mid-20th century, he primarily created commercial buildings in Metro Detroit that centered on a Mid-Century Modern approach.

This week we stay with the theme of Mid-Century Modern architecture as we explore some of the modern projects designed by James W. Conn. A fine example of his work is 781 Lake Shore, completed in 1964, for Dr. I. W. McLean.

James Conn was born in Montana on 1 December 1917. It is reported he studied under Frank Lloyd Wright in Wisconsin and Eero Saarinen at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he was on the team of architects who designed the St. Louis Arch. During WWII he was a pilot of a B-25 in the U.S. Air Force. Following the war he designed many…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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.…

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