Real Estate Blog - Hugh T. Keyes

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Kenwood Road

Last week we visited 109 Kenwood, a magnificent home in Grosse Pointe Farms. Completed in 1929, it was designed by the “Dean of Detroit Architects”, Geroge D. Mason for Lynn McNaughton, vice president in charge of sales at Cadillac.

This week we stay on Kenwood to look at a selection of beautifully crafted houses on the street, created by some of the leading architects of the early 20th century. The architectural styles on display include Colonial Revival, English Cotswold, Tudor, Dutch Colonial, and French Provencal styles. Many of the homes exhibit charming architectural features such as intricate brickwork, grand entrances, beautiful limestone detailing, and decorative pediments.

Let’s begin with the residences created by Robert O. Derrick,…

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

Last week we explored the homes in Grosse Pointe Elma Mennen and her husband, Henry Williams, had Hugh T. Keyes design for them – 344 Provencal and 35 Tonnancour Place. 

This week we look at Hugh T. Keyes work on the prestigious street of Provencal – 34 Provencal (extensive alterations), 260 Provencal (now razed) and 344 Provencal.

A noted early 20th century architect, Hugh T. Keyes was a prolific designer of fine homes in the Grosse Pointes and was arguably one of the most diverse architects to ply his trade in the community. Keyes was a phenomenal designer and is considered one of the most versatile architects to work in southeastern Michigan. He was born in Trenton, MI in 1888, and studied architecture at Harvard University. After graduating…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 551 Lake Shore

Last week we went to 379 Lakeland in Grosse Pointe. This historic home was designed by the phenomenal architect Hugh T. Keyes in 1925, for Jerome Emmet Joseph Keane, a stockbroker, banker, and financial consultant. Over the course of its 100-year history it has only been owned by three families.

This week we stay with the work of Hugh T. Keyes as we explore one of his modern creations, 551 Lake Shore. It was completed in 1957, for Leo Fiztpatrick, a national figure in radio broadcasting and a veteran of both World Wars.

551 Lake Shore is an 8,800 sq ft custom built residence, designed by Hugh Keyes and built by Monahan and Gould. Constructed of steel and concrete it is situated on a large lot with 96 feet on Lake Shore and 268 feet on…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 379 Lakeland

Last week we explored a splendid home, 30 Preston Place. Completed in 1932, it was designed by celebrated New York architect Duncan Chandler for Louise Webber Jackson as a springtime residence.

This week we head to 379 Lakeland in Grosse Pointe. This historic home was designed by the phenomenal architect Hugh T. Keyes in 1925, for Jerome Emmet Joseph Keane, a stockbroker, banker, and financial consultant. Over the course of its 100-year history it has only been owned by three families. Image courtesy of: detroitpubliclibrary.org

379 Lakeland is located on the corner of Maumee and Lakeland on more than 1 acre of pristinely landscape grounds - one of the largest lots in the City of Grosse Pointe. It is understood the property was originally…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Hugh T. Keyes Lost Homes on Lake Shore

Last week we explored one of the Modern style homes in Grosse Pointe that has been razed. 41 Lochmoor was completed in November 1936, by the multi-talented Hugh T. Keyes for Lloyd H. Buhs, secretary-treasurer of the Pfeiffer Brewing Company. It was razed during the 1990’s.

This week we continue the story with two more contemporary creations designed by Keyes that have also been lost. Both properties were located on Lake Shore - 707 Lake Shore was demolished during the 1990’s, and 665 Lake Shore was demolished around 2010.

707 Lake Shore was completed in 1938. Set on a large 176’ x 451’ sq ft lot the home was created in a Modern Colonial architectural style. The large 25’ x 18’ sq ft foyer was marble with a circular stairway that led to a sunken…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 41 Lochmoor

Last week we concluded our presentation on the 30 homes Omer C. Bouschor created in Grosse Pointe. Not only was he a master of the Tudor Revival style but he also designed larger homes with individualistic architectural elements.

This week we explore one of the Modern style homes in Grosse Pointe that has been razed. 41 Lochmoor was completed in November 1936, by the multi-talented Hugh T. Keyes for Lloyd H. Buhs, secretary-treasurer of the Pfeiffer Brewing Company.

41 Lochmoor was one of the superb International style homes created by Hugh T. Keyes during the 1930’s and 1940’s. The 5,000 sq ft Buhs residence has been described as “extremely innovative for its day”, and “an outstanding example of modern architecture.” Source Architectural…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 344 Provencal

Last week we presented part 2 of our story on one of Grosse Pointe’s most historic complexes, Grosse Pointe Academy, formally known as Academy of the Sacred Heart. Located at 171 Lake Shore, the complex is situated on an area that is almost twenty-acres. The site consists of five buildings - an early farmhouse and four larger academy buildings – Sacred Heart Academy and Convent, St. Paul’s Parish School, the Chapel, and the Main School Building - constructed between 1885 and 1930.

This week we turn our attention to 344 Provencal, “Mennen Hall”, a Tudor Revival style mansion located on the prestigious street of Provencal in Grosse Pointe Farms. Completed in 1929, the property was designed by the prominent architect Hugh T. Keyes. 

344 Provencal…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 78 Lake Shore

Last week we featured the work of a lesser-known designer Joseph P. Jogerst. Born in Marathon, Wisconsin in 1884, he created at least two homes in Grosse Pointe Park – 1006 Whittier Rd and 1000 Devonshire – and was a leading name in the design of apartment buildings in Metro Detroit during the 1920’s, and the mid 1940’s.

This week we head to an outstanding home in Grosse Pointe Farms, 78 Lake Shore. The French Normandy style home was completed in 1928, by the multi-talented Hugh T. Keyes for Marie Fleitz Dwyer, the widow of Francis T. Dwyer. It is one of the finest examples of French Normandy architecture in the Grosse Pointe communities - the French Normandy style had become popular in the U.S shortly after the First World War when French chateaus…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 15410 Windmill Pointe

Last week we presented the story of 354 Washington, a fabulous Georgian Colonial style home designed by John Scott completed in 1912. The property was one of the earliest homes to be constructed on the first block of Washington.

This week we travel to Windmill Pointe to visit another iconic home, 15410 Windmill Pointe. The sprawling estate was completed in 1924, by Alfred Hopkins & Associates for William Pickett Harris, Jr. an investment banker and a significant authority on zoology.

15410 Windmill Pointe is a splendid English Manor style home located on the shores of Lake St. Clair. The 9,599 sq ft property is constructed from sandstone with rough stucco that provides a superb blend of textures and colors. The exterior is awash with exquisite…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 34 Provencal

Last week we presented the story of another lost home on the lake, 575 Lake Shore, also known as “Clairview. The Italian Renaissance “palace” was designed by Detroit based architect John Scott, between 1911-15, for Dr. Harry Norton Torrey and his wife Nell Ford (sister of Stella Ford who owned “Stonehurst”, located at 500 Lake Shore).

This week we head to arguably one of the most prestigious streets in Grosse Pointe - Provencal - to review an impressive Georgian residence, 34 Provencal, completed in 1912, by architectural legend Louis Kamper for John Scripps Sweeney Sr.

34 Provencal, located on the first block from Lake Shore, is one of the earliest residences to be built on the street. The elegant brick home is created in a Georgian…

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