Real Estate Blog - Higbie Maxon Agney

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – St. Clare Parish – School and Church

Last week we continued with the story of St. Ambrose Parish with a feature on the parochial school that was designed by Donaldson and Meier. The school opened in 1920, with 650 grade school students, a high school was added in 1923. The building was razed in 1983. Prior to our piece about the school, we had also recently featured the history of St. Ambrose Church, completed in 1927, it was also designed by Donaldson and Meier. In 1964, St. Ambrose parish hired architectural firm Diehl and Diehl to design a new grade school.

This week we feature another historic parish, St. Clare, as we explore its church and school. The origins of St Clare parish date back to 1923, when Father James A. McDonald, pastor of St. Augustine Church in Hamtramck, was…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Lost Schools - St. Ambrose

Last week we explored the lost estate, Deeplands in Grosse Pointe Shores, completed for Henry D. Shelden in 1911. Originally located at 525 Lake Shore and set on a colossal 80 acres, it was one of the largest estates to have ever graced Grosse Pointe. Deeplands was razed in 1947.

This week we continue with the story of St. Ambrose Parish. We recently featured the history of St. Ambrose Church, completed in 1927, having been designed by Detroit based firm Donaldson and Meier – one of several buildings constructed by the firm for St. Ambrose Parish during the twentieth century. You can read the full story of the church by clicking here.

St. Ambrose church was established on September 16, 1916, as a Catholic parish community by Bishop John Foley.…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe –The Lost Estate, Deeplands

Last week we presented the work of a rather special architect, Wallace Frost. During his career he designed 44 homes in and around Birmingham, Michigan. However, despite working predominantly on the west side of Metro Detroit he also designed at least nine homes in Grosse Pointe that spanned several architectural styles and decades – 1920’s through to the 1950’s.

This week we tell the story of a lost estate, Deeplands in Grosse Pointe Shores. Originally located at 525 Lake Shore, and set on a colossal 80 acres, it was one of the largest estates to have ever graced Grosse Pointe.

Deeplands was completed in 1911, for Detroit industrialist Henry Dusenbury Shelden, and his wife Caroline A. Alger. It was an opulent mansion designed by Chicago based…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Work of Wallace Frost

Last week we presented the history of St. Ambrose Church, located at 15020 Hampton Rd, Grosse Pointe Park. The church was completed in 1927, having been designed by Detroit based firm Donaldson and Meier – one of several buildings constructed by the firm for St. Ambrose Parish.

This week we turn our attention to a rather special architect, Wallace Frost. During his career he designed 44 homes in and around Birmingham, Michigan. However, despite working predominantly on the west side of Metro Detroit he also designed at least nine homes in Grosse Pointe that spanned several architectural styles and decades – 1920’s through to the 1950’s. His projects include:

•        16632 E. Jefferson (1926)
•        42 Hendrie Lane (1926)
•        41…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – St. Ambrose Church

Last week we concluded our presentation on Grosse Pointe Memorial Church with a more in depth look at the design of the church, including the work of the world-renowned artists who created the stained-glass windows and wood carvings. 

This week we present the history of another prominent church in Grosse Pointe, St. Ambrose, located at 15020 Hampton Rd, Grosse Pointe Park. The church was completed in 1927, having been designed by Detroit based firm Donaldson and Meier – one of several buildings constructed by the firm for St. Ambrose Parish. 

St. Ambrose Church was established on September 16, 1916, as a Catholic Parish by Bishop John Foley. At the time a small church, located at Maryland and Hampton Avenues, was constructed to house the few…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Grosse Pointe Memorial Church – Part 2

Last week we began a two-part series on the Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, located at 16 Lake Shore Drive. The origins of Grosse Pointe Memorial Church date back to 1865. Like other churches in the area Grosse Pointe Memorial Church has undergone many iterations from where it began to the church it is today. In total the church has had three buildings, been located on two sites, and has changed its name several times.

This week we continue our presentation as we take a more in depth look at the design of the church, including the work of the other designers who were involved with the project. 

In 1923, renowned church architect William E. N. Hunter was hired to design the new Grosse Pointe Memorial Church and four additional buildings.…

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Kay Agney, Grosse Pointe’s Real Estate All Star

Kay Agney is a business owner, supporter of local non-profit organizations, and a well-known and respected figure in the community. Kay is also one of the most successful real estate brokers in Grosse Pointe. So much so, for eight out of the past ten years Kay has been named as one of Hour Detroit Magazines Real Estate All Stars, continually listing her among the top 5% in her profession.

On her way to becoming one of Grosse Pointe’s Real Estate All Stars Kay has been on quite a journey. It all began on a warm summers’ night during the late 1960’s when Kay and a group of friends were driving along Lake Shore. As she marveled at the twinkling lights next to the lake Kay remembered thinking to herself that she had never seen so many schools and…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Grosse Pointe Memorial Church – Part 1

Last week we explored one of Grosse Pointes most historic homes, the Carl and Alice Schmidt house located at 301 Lakeshore. Built in 1904, it is one of the oldest surviving year-round homes constructed in Grosse Pointe during the early 1900’s.

This week we begin a two-part series on the Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, located at 16 Lake Shore Drive. With its origins dating back to 1865, Grosse Pointe Memorial Church is a wonderful example of how Grosse Pointe has changed, evolved, and grown. The community has many wonderful churches, each one is exceptional, designed by a prestigious architect, they are steeped in history, and are an integral part of the community. Like other churches in the area, Grosse Pointe Memorial Church has undergone many…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 301 Lake Shore

Last week we delved deeper into the career of George Valentine Pottle. George Pottle was associated, amongst other things, with creating industrial buildings, movie theaters, and fine residences throughout Metro Detroit. It is possible he designed only two homes in Grosse Pointe, 910 Edgemont Park (completed in 1925 and demolished in April 1995), and 812 Whittier, completed in 1927.

This week we head to one of Grosse Pointes most historic homes, the Carl and Alice Schmidt house located at 301 Lakeshore. Built in 1904, it is one of the oldest surviving homes constructed in Grosse Pointe during the early 1900’s. It is not clear who the architect was.

Carl Ernest Schmidt, a German American born in Detroit in 1856, was a principal figure in the Detroit…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Architect George V. Pottle

Last week we presented the history of one of Grosse Pointe’s most iconic homes -16632 E. Jefferson. Located on the shores of Lake St. Clair, it was commissioned in 1926, by Detroit Industrialist Edgar Woodbury Bowen. It was designed by the esteemed architect Wallace Frost.

This week we delve deeper into the career of George Valentine Pottle. We recently mentioned Mr. Pottle as the possible architect of one of Grosse Pointe’s lost estates – 910 Edgemont Park – a once beautiful Italian Renaissance Revival style home completed in 1925, allegedly for Walter & Edith Scotten. Our files list the architect as George V. Pottle; however, this has not been verified by blueprints. George Pottle was associated, amongst other things, with creating industrial…

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