Real Estate Blog - Higbie Maxon Agney

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 15440 Windmill Pointe

Last week we presented the work of respected architect F. Gordon Pickell. Mr. Pickell not only designed the magnificent 246 Lakeland, but he also created two fine homes on University Place.

As part of our research, we discovered 354 University Place (designed by Mr. Pickell) was once owned by Frank Palms Book, a descendent of one of Grosse Pointe’s Oldest families. Mr. Book was the son of Dr. James B. Book, a wealthy Detroit landowner for whom the Book Building is named. Frank Book was a leading Detroit real estate developer who helped maintain the Book Estate. His younger brother, Herbert Vivian Book, was the former owner of 15440 Windmill Pointe, the fantastic French Chateaux that was razed in 1978. So, this week, we are going to delve deeper…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Architect F. Gordon Pickell

Last week we presented the history of the Crowley family and the two stunning homes on Lakeland that were once owned by Joseph and Daniel Crowley – 203 and 243 Lakeland. 

This week we stay on Lakeland to look at the work of respected architect F. Gordon Pickell. Mr. Pickell not only designed the magnificent 246 Lakeland, but he also created two fine homes on University Place.

F. Gorden Pickell was born in Jackson, Mississippi on February 3, 1881. He studied architecture in New York, Philadelphia and London. It is believed he began his architectural career in Philadelphia, where he worked for several firms, before relocating to Detroit around 1909. He quickly became a respected architect in the city and became the first president of the American…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Crowley Family

Last week we explored the history of 28 Beverly Road, a superb example of a Mission Revival style home designed by Alpheus W. Chittenden for banker William P. Hamilton in 1911/1912.

A couple of weeks ago we presented the history of 44 Beverly Road that was completed for the younger of the Crowley brothers, William. This week we will take a closer look at the Crowley family and the two stunning homes on Lakeland that were once owned by Joseph and Daniel Crowley. The father of the three brothers was Conellus Crowley.

In 1825, Conellus Crowley was born in County Kerry in Ireland. It was reported “Mr. Crowley, left Ireland around 1844 as part of a huge wave of Europeans, chiefly Irish and German, who came to the United States in the mid1800s to…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 28 Beverly Road

Last week we stopped by 44 Beverly Road, completed in 1916-1917 for William Cornelius Crowley. It is believed this outstanding limestone clad home was architect Richard Raseman’s first residential project in Grosse Pointe.

This week we stay on Beverly Road and head further down the street to number 28. Completed in 1911/1912, this distinctive Mission Revival style home was designed by Alpheus W. Chittenden for Detroit banker William Pegram Hamilton.

It is believed 28 Beverly, and 40 Beverly are the earliest houses built on Beverly Road. Both were constructed in 1911/12, part of the original Beverly Park sub-division that was platted by Henry B. Joy in 1910. 28 Beverly is a one of a kind 8,656 sq ft home that is a superb example of the Mission…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 44 Beverly Road

Last week we presented some of the work of Richard E. Raseman who was, at one point, one of Detroit’s most prominent and influential designers. Not only did he create many significant buildings in the city, but also several noteworthy residences in Grosse Pointe.

This week we delve deeper into one of Richard Raseman’s residential projects, 44 Beverly Road, completed in 1916-1917 for William Cornelius Crowley. It is believed this outstanding home was one of Raseman’s earliest residential projects in Grosse Pointe. The property was featured in the Western Architect in October 1916.

44 Beverly Road is located on the corner of Maumee and Beverly Road and has always been a prominent residence in Grosse Pointe Farms. Beverly Road is part of the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Architect Richard E. Raseman

Last week we explored 411 Country Club Lane, a stunning home designed by renowned architect William B. Stratton in 1927 for Edward S. Bennett. The Colonial style home is instantly recognizable on a special street that has many sublime properties.

This week we present some of the work of Richard E. Raseman who was, at one point, one of Detroit’s most prominent and influential designers. Not only did he create many significant buildings in the city, but also several noteworthy residences in Grosse Pointe.

Born in Detroit on July 29, 1855, Richard E. Raseman, without any formal training, began his career as a draughtsman in the firm of Julius Hess, a well-known architect in Detroit. Several years later, in 1883, he was a recognized architect in…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 411 Country Club Lane

Last week we presented the work of architect Charles Kellogg Backus. While Mr. Backus only designed a few homes during a short career that was tragically cut short, he did create one of Grosse Pointe’s most unique buildings, the Unitarian Church, located at 17150 Maumee in Grosse Pointe City. This distinctive structure was completed in 1964-1965.

This week we head to 411 Country Club Lane, a stunning home designed by renowned architect William B. Stratton in 1927 for Edward S. Bennett. The Colonial style home is instantly recognizable on a special street that has many sublime properties.

William B. Stratton was one of the most influential architects in Detroit during the early 20th Century. He worked with some of the best designers in the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Architect, Charles Kellogg Backus

Last we explored a rather splendid home, 70 Vendome. Located on one of the most prestigious streets in Grosse Pointe Farms, it was designed by prolific local architect Robert O. Derrick in 1929, for Frank E. Price.

This week we review the work of architect Charles Kellogg Backus. While Mr. Backus only designed a few homes during a short career that was tragically cut short, he did create one of Grosse Pointe’s most unique buildings, the Unitarian Church, located at 17150 Maumee in Grosse Pointe City. This stunning structure was completed in 1964-1965. Images courtesy of: Katie Doelle.

Charles Kellogg Backus was the son of Standish Backus who was a lawyer, engineer, general counsel for General Motors, and president of the Burroughs Adding…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 70 Vendome

Last week we presented the history of 257 Ridge Road, a stunning Tudor style residence designed by architectural legend Albert Kahn. It was completed in 1928-1929 for Jerome Hosmer Remick whose company was one of the largest publishers of sheet music in the world.

This week we answer a request from another of our readers, Paul, who contacted us to research a rather splendid home, 70 Vendome. Located on one of the most prestigious streets in Grosse Pointe Farms, it was designed by prolific local architect Robert O. Derrick in 1929, for Frank E. Price.

Paul informed us, during the 1980’s, when he was in high school and part of college, he worked for a landscape services company in Grosse Pointe. During his time with the company, he saw some…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 257 Ridge Road

Last week we explored 16805 Maumee (formerly 514 Cadieux). This pretty English Cottage style home was completed in 1922 by Charles Crombie for Charles B. Crause. The current owner has lived there for over 50 years.

This week we head to 257 Ridge Road to explore a stunning Tudor style residence designed by architectural legend Albert Kahn. It was completed in 1928-1929 for Jerome Hosmer Remick whose company was one of the largest publishers of sheet music in the world.

257 Ridge Road (original address was 245 Ridge Road) is a magnificent 9,346 sq ft residence constructed of limestone and brick with a slate roof. From our files the cost to build the home in 1928 was $121,571.54 plus $8,774 for an addition to the library. The total was a whopping…

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