Real Estate Blog - Higbie Maxon Agney

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 1040 Harvard

Last week we presented 15840 Lakeview Court. This sensational home was built in 1931 by George D. Mason and was one of the latter homes he designed towards the end of his career. 

This week we stay with the work of Mr. Mason and take a look at one of his earliest projects in Grosse Pointe, 1040 Harvard. As we mentioned last week Mason first appeared in the community in 1882, when the firm of Mason & Rice was commissioned to design ‘Edgmere’ for Joseph Berry. Fast-forward to 1916, Mason now has his own firm and has been commissioned by John W. Staley to create a large home on Harvard. 

John W. Staley was one of the best known of the younger bank officers’ in the United States. Born in Danville, Pa. he graduated from Albion College, Michigan…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 15840 Lakeview Court

Last week we introduced you to the homes designed and/or built by Carl L. Meek, a known architect (and builder) in Grosse Pointe during the late 1920’s.

This week we would like to present 15840 Lakeview Court. This sensational home was built in 1931 by one of Detroit’s architectural superstars, George D. Mason for Albert H. Schmidt.

As renowned Detroit historian Clarence M. Burton once wrote, quite simply George DeWitt Mason was “the dean of Detroit architects”. In a city that boasts the sublime skills of Albert Kahn, and Louis Kamper, Mason takes his place alongside these two great designers as the men responsible for many of Detroit’s iconic buildings. During a career that lasted 50 years George D. Mason created numerous historic buildings in…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to the work of Carl L. Meek

Last week we explored the two homes on Jefferson designed by Wallace Frost for the Bowen brothers – 16628 and 16632 East Jefferson.

This week we are going to explore some of the homes designed and/or built by Carl L. Meek, a known architect (and builder) in Grosse Pointe during the late 1920’s. Meek designed, and built, several homes in the community, including: 

• 610 University Place (1926)
• 604 University Place (1928)
• 587 University Place (1928)
• 598 University Place (1929)
• 592 University Place (1929)
• 229 Merriweather (1928)
• 160 Touraine (1928)
• 679 and 525 Rivard (1928)
• 621 Fisher (1929)
• 31 Renaud (1930)

Very little is known about Carl L. Meek and his career, but he was responsible, during the 1920’s, for not only…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Bowen Brothers Homes by Wallace Frost

Last week we introduced you to 180 Lewiston and arguably the most prestigious residents to live in Grosse Pointe - Russian nobility, the Count, and Countess Tolstoy.

This week we turn our attention to two very distinguished homes on E. Jefferson designed by the extremely talented Wallace Frost. Brothers, Edgar W. Bowen, and Julian P. Bowen, owned the two homes, located in close proximity to each other – 16628 E. Jefferson, and 16632 E. Jefferson.

Edgar Woodbury Bowen was born in Detroit in 1886. His brother, Julian Perry Bowen, was born a year later in 1887. The siblings, graduates of the University of Michigan, both held senior positions (Edgar was Vice President and Secretary, while Julian was Vice President and Treasurer) at the Ferry-Morse,…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 180 Lewiston

Happy 2019!

In our last post we profiled one of E. Jefferson’s grand old ladies, 16004 E. Jefferson. Built in 1907 it was designed by the Detroit based firm of Mildner & Eisen for Dr. Herman Kreit.

This week we would like to present 180 Lewiston. This post isn’t so much about the house, but more about the rather highly noted couple that once resided in the home. As we mentioned in a recent post on 40 Sunningdale, some extremely prominent people have owned homes in Grosse Pointe. However, when Russian nobility - Count, and Countess Tolstoy - moved into 180 Lewiston this catapulted the home to the top of the charts in having the most prestigious residents of all.

180 Lewiston was designed by Marcus Burrowes, and completed in 1922 for Cameron…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 16004 E. Jefferson

Last week we turned our attention to a significant period of transformation, the 1950s, introducing you to 40 Sunningdale and its high profile residents which has included a retired air force general, Henry Ford’s grandson, and a baseball superstar. 

This week we step back to 1907 and explore one of E. Jefferson’s grand old ladies, 16004 E. Jefferson. 

Built in 1907, 16004 E. Jefferson was designed by the Detroit based firm of Mildner & Eisen for Dr. Herman Kreit. The land on which the property is located dates back to 1811 when French settler, Joseph Tremble was granted the land by President James Madison. Paul Trombley later owned the site. In 1889 William Voigt purchased the plot for a reported $1,850 (around $50,000 today). Source: Traveling…

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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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