Real Estate Blog - Grosse Pointe Real Estate

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Stonehurst Estate - The Old and The New

Last week we went to one of the more prominent streets in Grosse Pointe City to explore 333 Washington. Completed, in 1913, it was designed by Rogers & Bonnah for William B. Colburn. 

This week we are going to bring 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. 

The Old

The history of 500 Lake Shore dates back to 1917 when renowned Pittsburgh architects Francis McClure and Albert H. Spahr completed the early English Renaissance “castle” for Joseph Schlotman and his new wife Stella Ford. Supposedly the imposing stone mansion cost an estimated $2m to build (around $51m today). The 40-room house, situated on a…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 333 Washington Road

Last week we presented 78 Kenwood Road – arguably one of the finest examples of an English Cotswold inspired home in Grosse Pointe Farms. Hugh T. Keyes completed it for Edward Macauley, in 1928.

This week we head to one of the more prominent streets in Grosse Pointe City to explore 333 Washington. Completed, in 1913, it was designed by Rogers & Bonnah for William B. Colburn. 

As with many homes built in the early 20th century 333 Washington does not have an instantly identifiable architectural style. One could argue it is based on an English Cottage approach with several typical characteristics - an asymmetric configuration, a steeply pitched roof, large flat chimneys, arrangements’ of tall narrow windows, multiple smaller windows (in bands),…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 78 Kenwood

Last week explored one of Minoru Yamasaki’s residential projects in greater depth – 664 Shoreham Road, Grosse Pointe Woods.

This week we head to 78 Kenwood Road – arguably one of the finest examples of an English Cotswold inspired home in Grosse Pointe Farms. Hugh T. Keyes completed it for Edward Macauley, in 1928. 

Edward Macauley was the son of Alvan Macauley, president of Packard Motor Car Co. and president of the Automobile Manufacturers Association. Alvan Macauley was also responsible for many outstanding achievements such as the first diesel engine to lift a plane from the ground, piloted by Charles A. Lindbergh. Source: history-computer.com/. Alvan Macauley had three children, Alvan Macauley Jr. (1896-1982), Edward (1902-1957) and…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 664 Shoreham Road

Last week we presented the work of Minoru Yamasaki, one of the most prominent architects of the 20th century. In a career spanning three decades, he created over 250 buildings throughout the world, including the World Trade Center, and at least five projects in Grosse Pointe. 

This week we are going to explore one of his residential projects in greater depth – 664 Shoreham, Grosse Pointe Woods.

What makes the architectural heritage of Grosse Pointe so unique is how the varying architectural styles from different eras are represented and characterized. Many of the older homes that were designed by nationally recognized designers shout, “I am by Albert Kahn”, or “of course I was designed by George D. Mason”. However, there are others, the hidden…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Introducing the Work of Minoru Yamasaki

Last week we took a more in-depth look at the work of Anne (Krebs) Crane. Ms. Crane and her husband were responsible for several distinctive homes in Grosse Pointe, including their own property – 15 Moorland, Grosse Pointe Shores. 

Given Ms. Crane’s association with Minoru Yamasaki we thought it was about time we presented the work of one of the most prominent architects of the 20th century. In a career spanning three decades, he created over 250 buildings throughout the world, including the World Trade Center, and at least five projects in Grosse Pointe.

Minoru Yamasaki was born in Seattle, 1912. He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Architecture, in 1934. Shortly after graduating he studied for a master’s degree in…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Introducing the Work of Anne Crane

Last week we brought you the story of 735 Lake Shore, the old and the new. The original home that was located on the property, when it was razed, and the new residence that has taken its place. 

This week we take a more in-depth look at the work of Anne (Krebs) Crane. Ms. Crane was responsible for the design of the new home at 735 Lake Shore for Estelle and Courtney Rankin. The contemporary glass front house was completed in 1974, and was just one of several projects Ms. Crane worked on. 

As we previously reported, Anne Crane was born in Belleville Illinois, in 1924. She graduated from the University of Illinois School of Architecture, in 1946, and moved to Grosse Pointe, in 1950, where she would reside for 62 years. When she moved to the area…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 735 Lake Shore The Old and The New

Last week we presented the work of Williams & Coughlan, a firm that we had yet to feature. The duo created at least two homes in Grosse Pointe, between 1924 and 1926.

This week we are going to bring you the story of 735 Lake Shore, the old and the new. The original home that was located on the property, when it was razed, and the new residence that has taken its place. 

The Old
The history of 735 lake Shore dates back to 1930 when Albert Kahn completed a grand Tudor estate for Alvan Macauley. The home was one of the architectural masterpieces that were constructed on the shores of Lake St. Clair during the golden era of stately mansions.

The MaCauley residence was located on 52 acres (20 acres were in Grosse Pointe Woods), and stretched from…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to The Work of Williams & Coughlan

Last week we explored the work of H. Sanborn Brown, an architect we had never covered before. He created at least six homes in Grosse Pointe, including three properties on Touraine.

This week we would like to present the work of Williams & Coughlan, a firm that we have yet to feature. The duo created at least two homes in Grosse Pointe, between 1924 and 1926. 

The first project by Williams & Coughlan was 1343 Buckingham, completed in 1924 for Dr. Charles J. Foley. The 3,092 sq ft, four-bedroom residence is created in an English architectural style. The interior features oak floors, and stained gumwood throughout. On the exterior, the triangular sections, a steeply pitched roof, and multiple long narrow windows dominate the front elevation. The…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to The Work of H. Sanborn Brown

Last week we presented Ellair Place and some of the homes that exist on the picturesque dead end street by the lake. Ellair Place has possibly one of the longest periods of time, 102 years, from when the first home was constructed (in 1895) through to the last addition (in 1997), of any street in Grosse Pointe.

This week we are going to explore the work of H. Sanborn Brown, an architect we have never covered before. He created at least six homes in Grosse Pointe, including three properties on Touraine.

H. Sanborn Brown’s first project in the community was 577 Washington, completed in 1935 for Dr. C. N. Skau. The charming four-bedroom home was built in the Georgian Colonial style. S.C Hadley, who owned the Hadley Construction Company, built it. 

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Ellair Place

Last week we explored 855 Ellair Place, a mid century modern home completed in 1951 by George Bickford Brigham, Jr. for William Harris.

This week we stay on Ellair, to present some of the other homes that exist on this picturesque dead end street by the lake. The houses on Ellair Place cover a broad spectrum of architectural styles, ranging from English manor, Cape Cod, Colonial through to midcentury modern. The homes were constructed over a period of two centuries. Noted architects, including; Smith, Hinchman and Grllys, and George Bickford Brigham, Jr. created them for some rather prominent families. 

Ellair Place is located between Edgmont Park and Bishop Road. There are currently ten houses on the street, however, this wasn’t always the…

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