Real Estate Blog - Hugh T. Keyes

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 665 Lake Shore Road

Last week we presented the story of 22 Oxford Road. Completed in 1941, the property was built for respected businessmen and acclaimed powerboat owner and racer Herbert (Herb) A. Mendelsohn. It is not known who designed the house, but it appears it was built by prolific builder Walter Mast. It was razed in 2006.

This week we would like to introduce you to another lost home that was located on the corner of Oxford Road and Lake Shore – welcome to 665 Lake Shore. The Regency Moderne style property was completed for prolific inventor, Robert Pauli Scherer, in 1951. It was designed by prominent architect Hugh T. Keyes who considered the property to be one of his more significant works. 

665 Lake Shore was a 7,050 sq ft home, situated on 3 lots. The…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 114 Lothrop

Last week we told the story of 61 Lochmoor Boulevard, a brick built French Colonial property, designed and built by Walter H. Mast, in 1942, as a speculative home. That same year businessman Donald A. Noble purchased the residence. 

This week we stop by 114 Lothrop, a grand Regency home designed by Hugh T. Keyes in 1937, for decorated Canadian World War 1 veteran, Doctor J. Stewart Hudson. Measuring 10,586 sq ft it is one of Keyes larger homes in Grosse Pointe. It was built by Talbot & Meier.

114 Lothrop, “Hudson House” is one of several Regency style homes built by Keyes in Grosse Pointe during the 1930’s. An article by Thomas W. Brunk, in the Architectural Forum 1937, explains ‘few traditional domestic styles are more in harmony with…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 22 Lee Gate Lane

Last week we explored 30 Beverly Road, a distinctive English Cottage style residence, completed in 1913, by Marcus Burrowes & Dalton R. Wells for Florence L. Pond, daughter of a distinguished lawyer in Detroit.

This week we jump forward to 1947, to visit 22 Lee Gate Lane. This one-of-a-kind modern residence was designing by Hugh T. Keyes for Robert Hudson Tannahill, a renowned art collector in Detroit, nephew of department store king Joseph L. Hudson, and first cousin of Eleanor Ford, wife of Edsel Ford. 

During his long and distinguished career Hugh T. Keyes built many significant houses across Metro Detroit. One of his “principal works” was 22 Lee Gate Lane, located at the end of a secluded cul de sac, close to the lake in Grosse Pointe Farms.…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 221 Lewiston

Last week we continued the story of Lewiston Rd, profiling a range of homes located between Kercheval and the end of the street completed in 1930, or earlier.

This week we continue the story of one of the more unique homes on Lewiston. Completed in 1924, 221 Lewiston is an Italian Renaissance Villa designed by Hugh T. Keys for businessman Charles A. Dean and his wife Helen W. Dean (Ryan). It is reported the land was once part of a 35-acre plot of land called “Ridgeland”. Source: fox2detroit.com

The property has exceptional architectural details inside and out and is one of the most distinctive homes in the community. From an article in the Detroit News, we understand ‘Helen Dean, who loved Italy, actually went through two sets of plans for the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Lewiston Road – Part 2

Last week we presented part 1 of Lewiston Road with a selection of the homes created before 1930, on the first block located between Grosse Pointe Blvd and Kercheval.

This week we continue the story of Lewiston Rd with a range of homes located between Kercheval and the end of the street. As with part 1, all of these homes were completed in 1930, or earlier.

180 Lewiston – 1922 – Designed by Marcus Burrowes
180 Lewiston was designed by Marcus Burrowes for Cameron Currie, a respected businessman within the city. The formal Georgian residence is built of brick, with a striking limestone entrance. The property includes all the classic traits one would expect to find in a Georgian residence constructed during the 1920’s - large windows on the first…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe - Hugh T. Keyes Projects on Woodland Place

Last week we continued the story of Cox & Baker with a review of Crescent Lane – the quiet street filled with many mid-century modern Cox & Baker homes - built from the mid 1950’s to the early 1960’s. 

This week we explore the work of Hugh T. Keyes on Woodland Place. Woodland Place, once a heavily wooded area on the shores of Lake St. Clair, is a narrow street, paved with bricks. It is home to eight unique residences. The majority of the homes were designed and completed during the 1920’s by a handful of noted architects – William B. Stratton, Hugh T. Keyes, and Robert O. Derrick. Keyes not only designed one home, 5 Woodland Place, he was also hired to transform two existing older residences – 7 Woodland Place and 2 Woodland Place - to make them…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe - Welcome to 60 Renaud

Last week we presented the story of the early summer homes built in Grosse Pointe by the prominent industrialists who desired seasonal residences next to the lake in “The Pointe” as it was known 120 years ago. Source: Thomas A. Arbaugh, Tonnancour, Volume II. 

This week we leave the late 19th century and jump forward to 1939, - to the Regency Moderne style of Hugh T. Keyes – welcome to 60 Renaud.

60 Renaud, completed in 1939, was created in Keyes signature Regency Moderne approach. The 4,500ft home is constructed of white brick had a flat roof, ornate detailing, a colonnaded front portico, and delicate iron gates and railings.  The ‘Joy House’ also featured a large central window - an early example of what would become Keyes ‘signature element’…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 78 Kenwood

Last week explored one of Minoru Yamasaki’s residential projects in greater depth – 664 Shoreham Road, Grosse Pointe Woods.

This week we head to 78 Kenwood Road – arguably one of the finest examples of an English Cotswold inspired home in Grosse Pointe Farms. Hugh T. Keyes completed it for Edward Macauley, in 1928. 

Edward Macauley was the son of Alvan Macauley, president of Packard Motor Car Co. and president of the Automobile Manufacturers Association. Alvan Macauley was also responsible for many outstanding achievements such as the first diesel engine to lift a plane from the ground, piloted by Charles A. Lindbergh. Source: history-computer.com/. Alvan Macauley had three children, Alvan Macauley Jr. (1896-1982), Edward (1902-1957) and…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 17845 E. Jefferson

Last week we presented some of the homes that were owned by the well-known DuCharme family, focusing on 365 University in particular. This classically styled brick built Georgian Colonial home was completed, in 1919, for Charles Bagley DuCharme, by the distinguished firm of William B. Stratton, and Dalton V. Snyder.

This week we head to 17845 E. Jefferson (now 25 Fisher Road), the beautifully designed International style home completed, in 1937, by Hugh T. Keyes, for Herbert B. Trix. 

We have discussed, on several occasions, the rich and varied repertoire of Hugh T. Keyes, who was one of the most productive, and talented architects to grace Metro Detroit in the first half of the 20th century. But we have yet to focus, in depth, on one of his…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Hugh T. Keyes, The Versatile Architect

Last week we presented three superb homes by the architect Hugh T. Keyes that have sadly been demolished. This week we stay with this multi-talented designer and present four further homes.

These homes still exist today – 379 Lakeland, 174 Touraine, 17845 Jefferson (25 Fisher Rd), and 60 Renaud. What makes these homes particular interesting is the diverse range of their architectural style.

We have discussed, on several occasions, the rich and varied repertoire of this particular architect, but we have yet to explore these four homes in depth, and present Keyes ever-evolving style(s). 

Early on in his career Keyes spent time in Europe, traveling in England, France, Italy and Switzerland gathering inspiration - evident in much of his work…

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