Real Estate Blog - Higbie Maxon Agney

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Detroit Free Press Homes-of-the-Week

Last week we explored 285 Mt. Vernon (formerly 37 Mt. Vernon), featured in the Detroit Free Press as it’s Home-of-the-Week in November 1936. 285 Mt. Vernon is an excellent example of a 1930’s “modern” family home.

This week we stay with the Detroit Free Press Home-of-the Week as we take a more in-depth look at two of the Grosse Pointe homes that were awarded the coveted title, also in 1936. 

The 1936 Home-of-the-Week recipients varied considerably in architectural style, they included Modern, International, Ranch, Colonial, Tudor, Old-English, and Cape Cod. As previously mentioned, when selecting the properties for the title it appears the architect was not the main criteria, and it was rare for the name of the architect or the builder to be…

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Higbie Maxon Agney is Growing

Higbie Maxon Agney Realtors is looking for agents to join our knowledgeable team.

As Grosse Pointe’s premier independently owned real estate company, Higbie Maxon Agney offers an experienced, informative, and personalized approach to buying or selling a home. For over 90 years we have looked out for our agents and their needs - providing training, leads, marketing, support staff, and the latest technology to ensure they succeed. Our culture is team based, with a fantastic atmosphere in a superb location on The Hill in the heart of Grosse Pointe Farms.

If you are an experienced REALTOR® or looking for a new challenge in your sales career as a real estate agent, we would love to hear from you. Higbie Maxon Agney can provide you with the platform and…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 285 Mt. Vernon

Last week we presented 324 McMillan, completed in 1935. Designed by Merrit & Cole, the house was constructed by eight well-known and respected east side Detroit builders who collaborated on the project to create the “modern” ‘1935 Better Style Home’, as featured in the Detroit Free Press.

This week we stay with theme of “modern” properties as we visit 285 Mt. Vernon (formerly 37 Mt. Vernon), featured in the Detroit Free Press as it’s Home-of-the-Week in November 1936. 285 Mt. Vernon is a further excellent example of a 1930’s “modern” home that was created with several key features in mind – the property was to be a home and not just another house, it was to be a home in which every modern convenience was to be installed to meet every need of the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 324 McMillan

Last week we featured a wonderful English Tudor home in Grosse Pointe Park – 1025 Buckingham. The 4,227 sq ft property was completed in 1938-39 for Ray W. Scott, who built it for himself. The house was designed and built by Joseph J. Berger – a renowned designer and builder during the 1930’s. Mr. Berger built multiple uniquely shaped properties in Grosse Pointe Park during this era.

This week we stay with projects associated with Joseph J. Berger as we visit 324 McMillan, completed in 1935. Designed by Merrit & Cole, the house was constructed by eight well-known and respected east side Detroit builders who collaborated on the project to create the 1935 Better Style Home, as featured in the Detroit Free Press. 

The eight builders involved in the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 1025 Buckingham

Last week we went to Briarcliff Drive in Grosse Pointe Woods to explore The Liggett School and the Headmaster's residence, completed in 1964-65 and 1966 respectively. The properties, located adjacent to each other at 850 and 800 Briarcliff Drive, are superb examples of Georgian architecture.

This week we return to residential architecture as we visit a wonderful English Tudor home in Grosse Pointe Park – 1025 Buckingham. The 4,227 sq ft property was completed in 1938-39 for Ray W. Scott, who built it for himself. The house was designed and built by Joseph J. Berger – a renowned designer and builder during the 1930’s. Mr. Berger built multiple uniquely shaped properties in Grosse Pointe Park during this era.

While 1025 Buckingham may not be…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Liggett School and Headmaster’s Residence

Last week we stopped by a unique piece of land to present the history of the St. Paul Cemetery. Located on the northeast corner of Country Club Drive and Moross in Grosse Pointe Farms, the cemetery dates to around 1868. It was and still is the only cemetery in Grosse Pointe. The cemetery is the resting place for members of some of the earliest families to inhabit Grosse Pointe, including Vernier, Trombley, Moross, Renaud, Kerby, Beaufait, Moran, and Cadieux families.

This week we head to Briarcliff in Grosse Pointe Woods to review The Liggett School and the Headmaster's residence, completed in 1964-65 and 1966 respectively. The properties are located adjacent to each other at 850 Briarcliff Drive and 800 Briarcliff Drive.

The Liggett School –…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The St. Paul Cemetery

Last week we visited 1251 Devonshire, a classically styled center entrance Colonial home. The property was completed in 1916-1917 by John W. Case for George Washington Yeoman and his wife Lucie Anne Clark Prentice. Mr. Yeoman was widely known in business circles and a former vice president of the Continental Motor Company. 

This week we are going to move away from architecture to present the history of a unique piece of land – the St. Paul Cemetery. Located on the northeast corner of Country Club Drive and Moross in Grosse Pointe Farms, the cemetery dates to around 1868. It was and still is the only cemetery in Grosse Pointe. The cemetery is the resting place for members of some of the earliest families to inhabit Grosse Pointe, including Vernier,…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 1251 Devonshire

Last week we travelled to the prestigious street of Three Mile Drive, Grosse Pointe Park, to explore 805 Three Mile Drive, an English Tudor style home built in 1917-1919. The residence was designed by renowned Detroit architect Charles Kotting for Dr. B. Raymond Hoobler, a respected Detroit pediatrician, and his wife Madge (Sibley) Hoobler. 

This week we stay in Grosse Pointe Park to visit 1251 Devonshire, a classically styled center entrance Colonial home. The property was completed in 1916-1917 by John W. Case for George Washington Yeoman and his wife Lucie Anne Clark Prentice. Mr. Yeoman was widely known in business circles and is a former vice president of the Continental Motor Company.   

1251 Devonshire is one of John W. Case’s limited…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 805 Three Mile Drive

Last week we concluded our presentation of historic elementary schools in Grosse Pointe with a visit to Stevens T. Mason Elementary. The building was completed in 1928-1929, having been designed by renowned architect George J. Haas. The school cost around $339,469 to build, close to $5.8m today. At the time of completion, it was described as “one of the largest rural schools in the country.” 

This week we head to Grosse Pointe Park, to the prestigious street of Three Mile Drive to explore 805 Three Mile Drive, an English Tudor style home built in 1917-1919. The residence was designed by renowned Detroit architect Charles Kotting for Dr. B. Raymond Hoobler, a respected Detroit pediatrician, and his wife Madge (Sibley) Hoobler.

Tudor style homes…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Stevens T. Mason Elementary School

Last week we presented the history of Robert Trombly Elementary School, designed by Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls. Completed in 1927, it’s considered “an architectural masterpiece”. In June 2020, Robert Trombly school was closed for good.

This week we conclude our exploration of historic elementary schools in Grosse Pointe as we visit Stevens T. Mason Elementary School located at 640 Vernier Rd, Grosse Pointe Woods. The school was completed in 1928-1929, having been designed by renowned architect George J. Haas who primarily specialized in designing schools and municipal buildings on the east side of Metro Detroit. Before designing Stevens T. Mason School, Haas had already completed two schools for the Grosse Pointe Public School District - Defer…

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