Real Estate Blog - Grosse Pointe Real Estate

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 166 Ridge Road

Last week we reviewed the fascinating street of Grosse Pointe Blvd and previewed four homes, built between 1922 and 1940, that crossed several architectural periods and styles.

This week we stay in Grosse Pointe Farms and head to one of the stunning homes on Ridge Road, number 166. 

Running through the heart of the Farms Ridge Road is one of the communities more distinctive streets. Based on research by the Grosse Pointe Historical Society, we understand, in 1885, most of the land between Ridge and Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe Farms, was a heavily wooded swamp that extended several miles north and south. The nuns at the Grosse Pointe Academy (known as the Sacred Heart Academy in that era)owned the land that ran from the convent, via Kenwood, all…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Grosse Pointe Blvd

Last week we turned our attention to one of Grosse Pointes modern homes, 270 Grosse Pointe Blvd, designed by Karl H. Greimel. Recently razed, it was a superb example of a mid century residence.

This week we stay on Grosse Pointe Blvd to preview four homes that cross several architectural periods and styles.

Grosse Pointe Blvd is a fascinating road. It is one of the widest streets in all of the Grosse Pointe communities, and home to several of the areas most recognized buildings – Grosse Pointe South, Christ Church, St Paul’s, The Academy, and the Unitarian Church. It is also one of the longest streets, from its starting point at he corner of Moross, Grosse Pointe Farms, it travels 2.6 miles through to Kensington Avenue, Grosse Pointe Park. Along…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 270 Grosse Pointe Blvd

Last week we presented one of the oldest homes in Grosse Pointe, Wardell House, located at 16109 E. Jefferson, Grosse Pointe Park.

This week we turn our attention to one of Grosse Pointes modern homes, 270 Grosse Pointe Blvd, constructed in 1961.The Pointes feature a number of modern buildings which are the work of many artists who lead the way in popularizing modern design, including: Marcel Breuer, Eero and Eliel Saarinen, Alden Dow, Alexander Girard, and William Kessler.

The community has a wonderful blend of the old and the new – the grand mansions built at the beginning of the 20th century, and the handful of mid century modern homes that present us with a glimpse into a unique architectural style.

270 Grosse Pointe Blvd was one such…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 16109 E. Jefferson

Over the past couple of weeks we have presented the work of Jens Jensen at the Ford Estate, Gaulker Pointe, and also introduced some of the other key designers who contributed to creating this beautiful estate.

This week we would like to present one of the oldest homes in Grosse Pointe, Wardwell House, located at 16109 E. Jefferson, Grosse Pointe Park.

William Buck, a prosperous English farmer, purchased the land in 1845, and built the main part of this house around 1849. During this era the early homes that had been constructed in Grosse Pointe were primarily clapboard farmhouses, constructed from wood. Two of the oldest recorded clapboard farmhouses are – The Cadieux House now located at 533 St Clair Avenue, Grosse Pointe, and the Provençal…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Ford Estate – Part 2

Last week we presented the work of Jens Jensen at the Ford Estate, Gaulker Pointe. Jensen was quite possibly one of the most famous landscape architects to work in the community, and his time at Ford estate resulted in one of the most beautiful residences in southeastern Michigan. This week we continue the story of Jensen’s work at the property, and introduce some of the other key designers who also contributed.

Much of Jensen’s work at the Ford Estate followed similar patterns he had employed in many of his projects. For example one key component to some of his work was walkways around a central meadow. Jensen also incorporated many wild bird habitats, favoring shrubs and tree species with fruits favored by birds. And he was also a huge advocate…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Ford Estate – Part 1

Last week we introduced you to the Tennis House, a rather iconic building located at 360 Moselle Place, Grosse Pointe Farms. This week we stay with icons as we investigate the wonderful Ford Estate, in part one of a two part series. 

When we think of the Ford Estate thoughts immediately turn to the stunning Cotswold house, designed by Albert Kahn for Edsel and Eleanor Ford in 1929. However, putting the house to one side, the original 125-acre estate, located at Gaukler Pointe, is also home to magnificent gardens, and several additional eye-catching buildings.

Over the years Grosse Pointe has played host to some of the leading, and renowned landscape architects in the United States, including: Ellen Biddle Shipman, Ruth Bramley Dean, William…

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HMA has an open house this weekend – Sunday, October 28, 2018 2-4 p.m.

HMA has an open house this weekend - Sunday, October 28, 2018 2-4 p.m.

Melissa Singh will be holding open 651 Fisher, Grosse Pointe

Wonderful center entrance brick Colonial in a great location. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, new kitchen in 2015 with stainless appliances, quartz countertops and plenty of storage, living room with fireplace and dining room. Beautiful addition includes a bright and sunny family room with new limestone fireplace surround and second floor Master suite. Dual zoned HVAC, 2nd floor laundry, wood floors throughout.  New exposed aggregate driveway, patio, front walk and front porch with custom limestone front door facade.  Finished basement with lots of storage and possible second laundry area.  New garage door, nicely…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Tennis House

Last week we presented 15324 Windmill Pointe, a splendid French styled home by Wallace Frost, designed in 1927, situated on the original site of the Windmill of Windmill Pointe.

This week we turn our attention to a rather iconic building located at 360 Moselle Place, Grosse Pointe Farms – welcome to the Tennis House.

Nestled on a quiet street the Tennis House is a rather rare and fascinating building. Many people know about it, for some this will the first time they have heard of it, while others have had the privilege of playing tennis in it. It is a little piece of Grosse Pointe history that has an interesting story to tell. Tennis House photos courtesy of: Grosse Pointe Historical Society.

Grosse Pointe has so many rare and intriguing…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 15324 Windmill Pointe

Last week we concluded our two part series on the magnificent homes in Grosse Pointe that were once owned by Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Hewitt Brown, a prominent family in the community. Over the two posts we featured 300 Lincoln, 380 Neff, and 4 Lake Court – a superb French-styled mansion.

This week we stay with the French architectural approach and introduce you to a magnificent home on Lake St. Clair – welcome to 15324 Windmill Pointe.

Completed in 1927, this splendid 9,931 sq ft home is situated on over an acre of land on the original site of the Windmill of Windmill Pointe. Noted architect Wallace Frost designed it for Ross W. Judson, the founder of Continental Motor Company. Photo courtesy of Grosse Pointe Historical Society.

15324 Windmill…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Residences of Edwin Hewitt Brown – Part 2

Last week we introduced you to 300 Lincoln, one of the magnificent homes in Grosse Pointe that was once owned by Mr. Edwin Hewitt Brown, and his wife Olive, a prominent family in the community. 

This week we continue with the story of the Brown family and the two other residences they resided at – 4 Lake Court (built 1926) and 380 Neff Road (built 1928). 

Having commissioned George W. Graves, in 1915, to create an impactful home at 300 Lincoln it appears Edwin H. Brown set upon a new residential project in Grosse Pointe, close to the shores of Lake St. Clair – 4 Lake Court. Having already worked with a high caliber architect Brown turned to another stellar designer, one of Grosse Pointe’s finest, Robert O. Derrick. 

Much of O. Derrick’s work…

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