Real Estate Blog - Grosse Pointe Real Estate

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 15882 Lakeview Court

Last week we presented 115 Lake Shore, the superb mid-century home designed by Carl Habermas, in 1953, for auto dealer Stark Hickey. 

This week we stay with the modern architectural approach as we explore 15882 Lakeview Court, designed by renowned Detroit architect Gino Rossetti, in 1977, as his own residence.

Gino Rossetti, son of renowned architect Louis Rossetti, who designed Cobo Hall, founded the architectural firm ROSSETTI in 1969. Early on the firm’s primary focus was working on health care facilities, corporate head quarters, and retail planning. In 1984 the firm was commissioned to design The Palace of Auburn Hills. After this major success in the field of sports entertainment, ROSSETTI began to work with clients worldwide, with a focus…

1890 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 115 Lake Shore

Last week we introduced you to 15600 Windmill Pointe, the grand home, lost to fire in the 1990’s. J. Ivan Dise completed it in 1929 by for John Walter Drake, former president of the Hupp Motor Car Company. 

This week we move into the 1950’s with a superb mid-century home designed by Carl Habermas, in 1953, for auto dealer Stark Hickey. Welcome to 115 Lake Shore. 

During the 1950’s, amongst the large 1920’s residences that lined Lake Shore Drive came this splendid example of Mid-Century Modern architecture. The two-story 5,361 sq ft residence was created in the Hollywood Regency style, which, is characterized by the bold use of color and contrast often with metallic and glass accents to signify both opulence and comfort. Source: Wikipedia. 

11010 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 15600 Windmill Pointe

Last week we presented 176 Fisher, designed in 1939 by Clarence Mack – one of the nationally noted architects who came to the community to work on one project. 

This week we return to Windmill Pointe, and to one of the lost mansions. Unlike many of the grand mansions built in the 1920’s, that were razed to create new subdivisions, this stunning property was sadly lost to fire in the 1990’s.

During the 1920’s Windmill Pointe was the height of popularity, and became a much sought after area. Wealthy Detroiters and professionals had begun to select the location to build magnificent residences, hiring some of the area’s most prestigious architects to design their new homes. One such designer was J. Ivan Dise who completed 15600 Windmill Pointe in…

3775 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 176 Fisher

Last week we explored one of the finest homes in the community, 17315 E. Jefferson. Charles A. Platt completed the classically designed Georgian style house in 1927for Mrs. Arthur McGraw.

This week we jump forward to 1939 to present 176 Fisher, designed by Clarence Mack. 

Grosse Pointe is awash with homes created by prominent architects who created multiple projects, not only in the community, but in some instances on the same street. Many of these designers created a large collection of homes; Robert O. Derrick was one of the most prolific with over 25 buildings to his name. This week however, we turn to the nationally noted architects who came to the community to work on one project (based on what that we can find). These rare treasures were…

2131 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 17315 E. Jefferson

Last week we presented one of the largest homes constructed in Grosse Pointe City, 355 Lincoln, designed by noted New York firm Alfred Hopkins & Associates for Theodore McGraw, Jr. 

This week we stay in the City of Grosse Pointe, and explore one of the finest homes in the community, 17315 E. Jefferson. The classically designed Georgian style house was completed in 1927 for Mrs. Arthur McGraw (Grace I. Butler), the widow of the Detroit merchant, who was also associated with chemists, Parke, Davis and Company. Nationally acclaimed architect Charles A. Platt  of New York designed the house, along with the garden, which contained formal architectural elements. 

The 7,113 sq ft residence is constructed of Flemish Brick, with a slate roof. The…

8180 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 355 Lincoln

Last week we presented the Trial Gardens at The Grosse Pointe War Memorial. The Trial Garden was originally commissioned by the Grosse Pointe Garden Center – an organization founded in 1950 to succeed the Grosse Pointe War Memorial’s Garden and Grounds Committee. Eleanor Roche, a noted landscape architect, designed the gardens.

This week we head to Grosse Pointe City, and to one of the largest homes constructed, 355 Lincoln.

Completed in 1923 for Theodore McGraw, Jr., the noted New York firm Alfred Hopkins & Associates designed it. The 8,733 sq ft English manor is a striking property, and particularly prominent in the community. The exterior is stucco, with a slate roof. While the exterior has subtle architectural details, the inside is awash…

4412 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Trial Gardens at The Grosse Pointe War Memorial

Last week we explored the six splendid homes on Windmill Pointe Omer C. Boushor created during the 1930’s and 1940’s. 

This week we take a piece of Windmill Pointe with us, namely one of the historic millstones, as we present the Trial Gardens at The Grosse Pointe War Memorial. The Trial Garden was originally commissioned by the Grosse Pointe Garden Center – an organization founded in 1950 to succeed the Grosse Pointe War Memorial’s Garden and Grounds Committee. Eleanor Roche, a noted landscape architect, designed them. 

From the book Grosse Pointe War Memorial, by Ann Marie Aliotta, Suzy Berschback we understand ‘the Trial Garden was so named because it started out with workers trying to see which difference plants and flowers would do well in…

1776 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Windmill Pointe – the 1930’s and 1940’s Homes by Omer C. Boushor.

Last week we presented some of the magnificent mansions that were built on Windmill Pointe during the 1920’s for wealthy Detroiter's and professionals who had begun to select the location to build grand homes in the suburbs. 

This week we head into the 1930’s and 1940’s to explore some of the residences that were created by Omer C. Boushor during, and after the Great Depression.

During his career, Boushor, a Detroit based architect, created well over 29 homes in the community - more than many other architects. However, as is the case with so many prolific architects who created multiple homes in Grosse Pointe, it can be difficult to find information about them professionally and/or personally. This is no reflection on their skills as a designer,…

2790 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Windmill Pointe – the 1920’s

Last week, as we celebrate out 90th anniversary, we presented the story of Higbie Maxon Agney, an achievement Kay Agney and her team is extremely proud of. 

This week we return to Windmill Pointe. Recently we have explored the early history of Windmill Pointe, and the Windmill Point Lighthouse. As we continue the story of this historic area we take a glimpse at some of the magnificent mansions that were built during the 1920’s.

To recap, in 1916 a new group founded the Windmill Pointe Land Company. The land was subsequently subdivided and called the Windmill Pointe subdivision. It runs parallel to the lake in an easterly direction as far as Bedford Road. Beginning in the 1920’s Windmill Pointe was the height of popularity, and became a much…

7978 Views, 0 Comments

Historical Company of Grosse Pointe – Higbie Maxon Agney Celebrates its 90th Year

Last week we explored an iconic structure, the Windmill Point Lighthouse – a light that has stood at the entrance of Lake St. Clair for around 180 years. 

This week we would like to present another constant beacon in the community – Higbie Maxon Agney. This year Higbie Maxon Agney celebrates its 90th anniversary, an achievement Kay Agney and her team is extremely proud of.

The roots of the company can be traced back to 1929 to the Maxon Brothers Real Estate Firm. In 1972 Mr. Hugo S. Higbie acquired the Maxon Brothers Real Estate Firm and renamed the joined firms Higbie Maxon Realtors, Inc. That same year Higbie Maxon located to the Hill in Grosse Pointe Farms. 

However, before we go too far, lets step back in time, and then we can return…

2431 Views, 0 Comments