Real Estate Blog - Grosse Pointe Real Estate

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Rupert W. Koch

Last week we introduced you to the extraordinary work of William E. Kapp. He was a somewhat lesser known architect in Grosse Pointe, but was a ‘big name’ in the city. Under the employment of Smith, Hinchman and Grylls he created several iconic buildings including Meadow Brook Hall, The Detroit Historical Museum, and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum.

This week we continue our story by profiling another ‘big-name’ architect - but a lesser-known designer who came to Grosse Pointe – Rupert W. Koch.

Mr. Koch was a graduate of the University of Michigan and spent most of his career in Ann Arbor. He was one of the cities leading architects. One of his grand designs was the Ann Arbor mansion created for Leander J. Hoover, 1918. Set in an extensive 24 acre…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – William Edward Kapp

Having spent the last couple of weeks on Merriweather (Part 1 and Part 2), we now turn our attention to a lesser-known architect in Grosse Pointe – William E. Kapp.

Mr. Kapp is one of those architects who was a ‘big name’ in the city, but only came to the Grosse Pointe to work on a handful of projects. This was also the case with a number of other premier designers including: Albert H. Spahr, John C. Stahl and Bloodgood Tuttle (to name but a few).

Kapp was born in Toledo, 1891. Having completed his architectural degree at the University of Pennsylvania he returned to Toledo to set up his own private practice. In 1918 he moved to Detroit. It is believed he worked for Albert Kahn, and then, in 1920, went to work for the prestigious firm of Smith,…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Merriweather – Part 2

Last week we introduced you to the street of Merriweather (Part 1), and its historical homes constructed between 1928 and 1931. We continue our journey this week with a review of some of the homes built between 1932 and 1939.

From researching the homes (we featured last week) it appears the residences on Merriweather cross a spectrum of architectural styles. The majority is in the colonial approach, however there are some wonderful examples of French inspired architecture, which was popular in Grosse Pointe during the late 1920’s through to the 1940’s.

1933
The extremely talented D. Allen Wright designed 170 Merriweather. Wright designed at least 15 houses (that we know of) in Grosse Pointe. Many of these residences (during the late 1920’s and…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Merriweather – Part 1

Having recently covered the work of versatile architect Hugh T. Keyes we now return to exploring one of the many significant streets in Grosse Pointe Farms – Merriweather. 

A couple of weeks ago we featured one of the earliest homes to be constructed on Merriweather, number 175, designed by accomplished architect Louis Kamper. Having provided you with a brief insight into the history of the prestigious road lets now return to the street and explore some of the other wonderful homes that are on display. 

Merriweather was originally part of a large cherry orchard. Based on research by the Grosse Pointe Historical Society we know that ‘prior to the 1940s, the area was an expanse of undeveloped fields from Merriweather to Cloverly Road in the block…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Hugh T. Keyes, The Versatile Architect

Last week we presented three superb homes by the architect Hugh T. Keyes that have sadly been demolished. This week we stay with this multi-talented designer and present four further homes.

These homes still exist today – 379 Lakeland, 174 Touraine, 17845 Jefferson (25 Fisher Rd), and 60 Renaud. What makes these homes particular interesting is the diverse range of their architectural style.

We have discussed, on several occasions, the rich and varied repertoire of this particular architect, but we have yet to explore these four homes in depth, and present Keyes ever-evolving style(s). 

Early on in his career Keyes spent time in Europe, traveling in England, France, Italy and Switzerland gathering inspiration - evident in much of his work…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Lost Homes of Hugh T. Keyes

So many of the architects we have written about have not only left a lasting impression on the architectural scene in Grosse Pointe, but across many of the communities in Metro Detroit. One such example is Louis Kamper, who we reviewed last week, and his work at 175 Merriweather. This week we continue the theme with three homes by Hugh T. Keyes. 

Hugh T. Keyes was a phenomenal architect; we have featured his work on many occasions. His work centered on creating grand estates for the industrialists of Metropolitan Detroit (clients included Ford, Hudson-Tannahill, Bugas and Mennen) and he is considered to be one of the most versatile architects of the period.

Born in Trenton, MI in 1888, he studied architecture at Harvard University and worked…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 175 Merriweather Road

Last week we profiled 21 Colonial Rd, the magnificent former home of nationally recognized architectural sculptor Corrado Parducci. This week we head to Grosse Pointe Farms, and to one of the earliest homes built on Merriweather, number 175. 

Merriweather was originally part of a large cherry orchard. It wasn’t until the late 1920’s that houses first began to appear on the plot of land. 

Number 175 was one of the earlier homes to be constructed. Designed by acclaimed architect Louis Kamper, it was completed in 1929 as a wedding present, from Kamper and Kurt Kling, to the newly married couple of John Robert Sutton, Jr. (Jack), and his wife Paula Kling Sutton (Kamper’s niece, and Kurt Kling’s daughter).

Louis Kamper, could be described as one…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 21 Colonial Road

What makes the architecture in Grosse Pointe so interesting is the sheer diversity of the buildings that are on display. Last week we profiled the Country Club of Detroit, and its fascinating history that began in 1884. This week we jump to 1928, and to a home that was created for nationally recognized architectural sculptor Corrado Parducci. 

Grosse Pointe has been home to many nationally noted artists, designers and sculptors, including William Hawkins Ferry, Alexander Girard and William Kessler - to name but a few. Parducci was one of the most acclaimed sculptors of the early 20th century, and it was here in Grosse Pointe, at 21 Colonial Road, Grosse Pointe Shores, that he selected to reside.

Corrado Parducci was a talented architectural…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Gardens of William Pitkin Jr.

Last week we explored several homes on the elegant street of Lothrop, Grosse Pointe Farms. One of the homes we profiled, 99 Lothrop, was designed by Charles A. Platt. Mr. Platt was not only a talented architect, but was also considered to be one of America’s more influential landscape designers. 

Platt designed at least four homes (that we know of) in the Grosse Pointe communities. Despite his natural talents in landscape design Platt was happy to hire leading landscape architects to work alongside him on his project(s). His propensity to hire nationally recognized landscape designers was based on his desire to create a natural synergy between the house and its surroundings, and one designer who was particularly skilled in this area was William…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Old and the New: Sunningdale – Part 2

When you drive up a road in Grosse Pointe, frequently you can't help but stop and look at the houses on display. One day, having been driving around the Pointes, we found ourselves on Sunningdale Drive. Aside from the pristine gardens on display, the diversity of the architecture captured our attention.

While it was obvious some homes are much older than others, it also quickly became apparent the newer houses on the street had been designed to respect their ‘elderly’ neighbors.

Assembling a collection of architectural styles is never easy – arguably homes constructed during the past 30 years do not resemble the homes from a by-gone era – namely the 1920’s and 1930’s. However, there are exceptions, which is evident in the modern constructions on…

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