Real Estate Blog - Grosse Pointe Real Estate

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 273 Ridge Road

Last week, in part 2 of relocated, we presented two historic properties that were relocated within Grosse Pointe – they have been fully maintained, restored, and stand today as a reminder of the communities architectural origins in the early 19th century.

This week we head to one of Grosse Pointe’s more noted French Normandy residences – 273 Ridge Road, in Grosse Pointe Farms. 

This superb example of French Normandy architecture is one of the most distinctive homes in Grosse Pointe. It was completed in 1928, for Owen R. Skelton, chief design engineer at Chrysler, and member of the Automotive Hall of Fame. The design is attributed to Alvin E. Harley. Image courtesy of Library of Congress. 

273 Ridge Road is a grand 7,437 sq ft residence.…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Relocated - Part 2

Last week, in part 1, we presented two grand properties, once neighboring residences that were located next to the river in Indian Village  - they were relocated brick by brick to Grosse Pointe.

This week we continue the story of homes that have been relocated with two smaller historic properties that have been moved to new location(s). 

A site near Provencal and Lake Shore Road – relocated to 376 Kercheval Avenue 
Part of following research is courtesy of the Grosse Pointe Historical Society. In 1823, Detroiter Pierre Provencal, a Indian Agent turned farmer, constructed a Greek Revival timber framed farmhouse, on a plot near the foot of Provencal, for himself and his wife Euphemia St. Aubin. At the time the couple didn’t have any children of…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Relocated - Part 1

Last week we went to Lincoln Road to review three superb properties designed by George W. Graves.  Located on the same block between Maumee and Jefferson, they were completed between 1910 and 1918, in Georgian, Colonial, and English Tudor styles. 

Over the next couple of weeks we would like to present the story of four homes that have been relocated. These homes vary in size, and all four were relocated prior to 1930 - from just around the corner to several miles away - an incredible undertaking both logistically and architecturally. This week, in part 1, we focus on two grand properties that were once neighboring residences next to the river in Indian Village.

15520 Windmill Pointe – Relocated from 8192 East Jefferson Avenue
In 1903, John B.…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – George Graves on Lincoln Road

Last week we presented 824 Lake Shore, the old and the new. The original Mid-century modern home that was located on the property, and what is now a 5,490 square foot contemporary residence. 

This week we head to Lincoln Road, and to three large properties designed by George W. Graves. The properties are located on the same block between Maumee and Jefferson, and were completed between 1910 and 1918. The architectural styles of these homes encompass Georgian, Colonial, and English Tudor approaches. 

330 Lincoln
330 Lincoln was built in 1910, for Cameron B. Waterman, a lawyer, and inventor of the outboard motor.  The property stands on a large lot, at the corner of Maumee in the village of Grosse Pointe. The striking 7,696 sq ft Georgian styled…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 824 Lake Shore – The Old and The New

Last week we explored “Rose Terrace II” – arguably the most acclaimed residence to be designed, built, and razed, in all of the Grosse Pointe communities. And one of the finest houses of its kind to be built in the United States

This week we turn our attention to 824 Lake Shore, the old and the new. The original Mid-century modern home that was located on the property, and what is now a 5,490 square foot contemporary residence.

The Old
The history of 824 Lake Shore dates back to 1948, when J. Ivan Dise completed the Mid-century modern home for Mr. Anthony Motschall, a business executive in Detroit. The home was part of the growing trend for contemporary homes that were being constructed on the lake in Grosse Pointe Shores during this era. 

The…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Lost Estates – Rose Terrace I and II – Part 2

Last week we explored “Rose Terrace I” completed in 1910, by Albert Kahn for Horace Elgin Dodge. 

This week we present the story of its successor, “Rose Terrace II” – arguably the most acclaimed residence to be designed, built, and razed, in all of the Grosse Pointe communities. And one of the finest houses of its kind to be built in the United States. Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

“Rose Terrace II” was located at 12 Lake Shore Drive on an 8.8-acre site where “Rose Terrace I” and the original Country Club of Detroit had once stood. The original home had been razed in 1931, to accommodate the new French-styled Louis XV château for Anna Dodge (widow of Horace E. Dodge) and her second husband, former actor Hugh Dillman. 

The palatial palace…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Lost Estates – Rose Terrace I and II – Part 1

Last week we presented the story of 17800 E. Jefferson, completed by Albert Kahn for Charles M. Swift in 1905 – now a lost estate. 

This week we turn our attention to the house next-door - 17840 E. Jefferson, “Rose Terrace I”, completed in 1910, for Horace Elgin Dodge - another of Albert Kahn’s masterpieces. Given the significance of this property and its successor we thought it was about time to tell the story of “Rose Terrace I”, and its later replacement “Rose Terrace II” next week. Photo is courtesy of: Legacy of Albert Kahn by W. Hawkins Ferry.

“Rose Terrace I” was located at 17840 E. Jefferson. Prior to its commission Horace E. Dodge, the younger of the Dodge siblings, had purchased land adjoining the former Detroit Country Club…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Lost Estate – 17800 E. Jefferson

Last week we presented 189 Cloverly, the Spanish Colonial Revival home designed by Albert Kahn for Julius H. Haass in 1927.

This week we stay with the work of Albert Kahn as we explore his creation at 17800 E. Jefferson – now a lost estate.

During the early 20th Century Albert Kahn was already a well-established architect in the city of Detroit. Under the name of Albert Kahn Associates (the firm he formed with his brother Julius, in 1895) Kahn’s skills were in high demand from wealthy clientele to create stately residences in the constantly evolving affluent suburbs of Detroit. 

After completing 81 Lake Shore, a grand Italian inspired residence completed in 1904, for Albert L. Stephens, Kahn was commissioned by Charles M. Swift to design a…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 189 Cloverly

Last week we presented 81 Lake Shore – a grand Italian inspired residence completed in 1904, by Albert Kahn for Albert L. Stephens. 

This week we head to a Mediterranean inspired residence with a visit to 189 Cloverly, completed by Mildner & Eisen in 1927, for Julius H. Haass. Photo: courtesy of Google.com.

The architectural approach for 189 Cloverly is primarily Spanish Colonial Revival – a mixture of styles derived from the Mediterranean. Inspiration for this style was derived from the adobe and Spanish Colonial buildings of southern California, medieval Spanish churches and the Baroque architecture of colonial Spain and Portugal. The style grew in popularity thanks in part to the popularity of Spanish colonial buildings in the 1915 San…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Lost Estate – 81 Lake Shore

Last week we brought you the story of the Stonehurst Estate, the old and the new - the original home that was located on the property, and the new residences that have subsequently taken its place. 

This week we stay with the theme of lost mansions and head to 81 Lake Shore – a grand Italian inspired residence completed in 1904, by Albert Kahn for Albert L. Stephens. 

Albert L. Stevens was born in Romeo, Michigan in 1857. His father Henry was a prominent lumber baron. After his father passed in 1884, Albert and his brother Henry Jr. continued to manage the business together until 1895. Albert then turned his attention to the management of several corporations in which he was a stockholder – including the Wabash Portland Cement Company of Stroh,…

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