Real Estate Blog - Grosse Pointe Real Estate

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Lost Home of 70 Lake Shore

Last week we presented some of the grand homes, created by Alpheus Chittenden and Charles Kotting, that have been lost over time. 

This week we stay with the theme of lost homes as we take a look at 70 Lake Shore. This striking English Tudor inspired home was built in 1908. To date, we have not been able to identify the architect and cannot confirm who commissioned it.

70 Lake Shore was a stately English Tudor style home located on the shores of Lake St. Clair. The exterior construction is partly stucco on concrete block, and partly stucco on metal lath. The rear of the home is particularly fascinating, with a rather unique design. The 2-½-story residence contained 15 rooms. The main floor featured a large 30’ x 31’ sq foot living room…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Lost Homes of Chittenden and Kotting

Last week we explored 12 Rathbone Place (original address 17400 E. Jefferson). Alpheus Chittenden completed the English Manor home in 1909, for John Gaine Rumney and his wife Mary Elizabeth (Pittman). 

This week we stay with the work of Alpheus Chittenden as we explore some of the projects he completed with Charles Kotting – the homes that have been lost over time.

Chittenden and Kotting first began working together in 1903.Both men, in their own right, had reputations as incredibly skilled designers. Alpheus Chittenden is credited with designing the Detroit Boat Club on Belle Isle, and the Detroit Stove Works plant, along with many prestigious residential projects in and around Metro Detroit. Charles Kotting created over 100 structures in Metro…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 12 Rathbone Place

Last week we presented another majestic home designed by Raymond Carey – 338 Provencal. The 10,304 sq ft English Tudor Manor was completed in 1928, for Howard F. Smith, VP of the Canada and Dominion Sugar Company in Ontario.

This week we head to a splendid property, 12 Rathbone Place (original address 17400 E. Jefferson). Alpheus Chittenden completed the English Manor home in 1909, for John Gaine Rumney and his wife Mary Elizabeth (Pittman).

John G. Rumney, a prominent Detroiter, was born in Detroit, 1850. He began his career as a salesman for Ducharme, Fletcher & Company - dealers in wholesale hardware. He then took the position of treasurer at the Hart Manufacturing Company, a position he held for eight years. In 1888, he relocated to Helena,…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome 338 Provencal

Last week we introduced you to some of the homes that were owned by the well-known Holley family. At one point in time George Malvin Holley Sr. owned five homes in Grosse Pointe, two of which were designed by well-respected English architect Raymond Carey. 

This week we stay on Provencal to present another majestic home designed by Raymond Carey – welcome to 338 Provencal. The 10,304 sq ft English Tudor Manor was completed in 1928, for Howard F. Smith, VP of the Canada and Dominion Sugar Company in Ontario. 

338 Provencal it is an exquisite stone Tudor residence with all the hallmarks of an English estate. The asymmetric design has elegant limestone detailing around the large bay windows on the first floor, along with a striking slate roof – a…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to the Holley Family

Happy 2021!

In our last post we presented the Mid-Century Modern model ‘Holiday Homes’ that were designed by William F. Baker, and built by Cox & Baker, during the 1950’s and 60’s. At least seven ‘Holiday Homes’, held annually, were built and introduced to the Grosse Pointes between 1951 and 1962. 

This week we are going to introduce you to some of the homes that were owned by the well-known Holley family. At one time George Malvin Holley Sr. owned five homes in Grosse Pointe, two of which were designed by well-respected English architect Raymond Carey.

The Holley’s were a prominent family in Detroit during the first half of the 20th century. The head of the family was George M. Holley Sr., born in Port Jervis, New York in 1878. Having…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to the Cox & Baker Holiday Homes

Last week we concluded our series on Beverly Road with a review of the residences on the west side of the street - the odd numbered homes: 23 through 45 - built between 1920 and 1936. 

This week we would like to present the Mid-Century Modern model ‘Holiday Homes’ that were designed by William F. Baker, and built by Cox & Baker, during the 1950’s and 60’s. At least seven ‘Holiday Homes’ were built and introduced to the Grosse Pointes between 1951 and 1962. Held annually the homes were created to show advance trends in home architecture, interior decoration, better home design, and modern living. Many of the all-equipped kitchen and laundry rooms ‘represented the newest discoveries in work-saving, step-saving appliances by HOTPOINT’. After the homes…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Beverly Road – Part 3

Last week, in part 2, we explored residences on the east side of Beverly Road - the even numbered homes: 24 through 44 - the first lots to be sold and developed. 

This week, in the final part of our series on Beverly Road, we head to the residences on the west side of the street - the odd numbered homes: 23 through 45 - built between 1920 and 1936. The modern photo’s below are courtesy of: Katie Doelle. 

23 Beverly Road - completed in 1925
Renowned local architect Robert O. Derrick designed this substantial asymmetrical Neo-Georgian residence. The distinctive dormers in the roof dominate the front elevation of this 5,830 sq ft home. The property was constructed for Edwin Barbour Henry and his wife, Barbara Wick, of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Henry…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Beverly Road – Part 2

Last week we started our exploration of Beverly Road with a look at the history of this prestigious street - part 1 of a three part series. Beverly Road is the only street in the Grosse Pointe communities that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

This week, in part 2, we take a look at the residences on the east side of Beverly Road - the even numbered homes: 24 through 44 - the first lots to be sold and developed. The two earliest homes constructed were numbers 28 and 40 – both completed in 1911/12. The modern photo’s below are courtesy of: Katie Doelle

24 Beverly Road - completed in 1914
24 Beverly is a large 5,976 Sq ft asymmetrical English Revival house. George W. Graves designed it for Mrs. Harriet N. Atterbury. You can…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Beverly Road – Part 1

Last week we presented the magnificent 24 Beverly Road, designed by George W. Graves for Harriet N. Atterbury – it was completed in 1914. 

This week we stay on Beverly Road, for part 1 of a three part series. Over the next couple of weeks we will be exploring the residences that are located on this special street – the only road in the Grosse Pointe communities that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Beverly Road is located on the original Beverly Park sub-division that was platted by Henry B. Joy in 1910. The district was one of the earliest upper-class subdivisions in the Grosse Pointes, and played a major role in the area becoming an upscale community for wealthy Detroiters. All of the residences, aside from #35 (built in…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 24 Beverly Road

Last week we visited Country Club Lane to explore three grand neighboring homes that were all completed in 1927 – numbers 381, 391, and 411 Country Club Lane.

This week we head to the magnificent 24 Beverly Road, designed by George W. Graves for Harriet N. Atterbury – it was completed in 1914. 24 Beverly Road is located at the end of this prestigious dead end street, next to the iconic gates that were designed by Albert Kahn. The 5,976 Sq ft asymmetrical English Revival home, with a slate hip roof, is set back from the road thus creating a large space in front and to the side of the house. The property has fabulous artistic detailing inside and out. The dominating exterior feature is the striking two-story oriel window (a form of bay window, which…

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