Real Estate Blog - Leonard Willeke

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Willeke Speculative Homes

Posted by Kay Agney on March 14th, 2023

Last week we continued our three-part series on the work of renowned Grosse Pointe architect, Leonard B. Willeke. Part 2 covered 1010 Three Mile Dr, a large Tudor residence and garden completed in 1927, for William August Petzold, vice president and treasurer of J.L Hudson Company.

This week we conclude our series with a look at the speculative homes Leonard Willeke created in the community from the 1920’s – through to the 1940’s. The definition of a speculative house is - ‘a residence built without a particular buyer in mind or under contract but designed to appeal to the maximum market possible’.

During the 1920’s numerous noted designers designed and built speculative homes in the community. The homes varied in size, and many were grand…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 1010 Three Mile Drive

Posted by Kay Agney on March 7th, 2023

Last week we began a three-part series on the work of renowned Grosse Pointe architect, Leonard B. Willeke. Part 1, 745 Balfour began as a collaborative project between Detroit architects J. Ivan Dise and Clair W. Ditchy. However, Willeke wound up completing it in 1927. Willeke also designed the garage, carriage house, the 684 sq ft greenhouse, and the stunning gardens at the residence.

This week we continue the series as we head to 1010 Three Mile Dr, a large Tudor residence and garden completed in 1927, for William August Petzold, vice president and treasurer of J.L Hudson Company.

First, let’s begin in 1921, Leonard Willeke had embarked on a ten-year project for Oscar Webber, president of J. L. Hudson Company. 22 Webber Place (original…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 745 Balfour

Posted by Kay Agney on February 28th, 2023

Last week we presented the history of the Neighborhood Club. The origins of the club date to 1911, when some of the most prominent women in Grosse Pointe met to “talk things over”, to establish an organization that would meet the recreational, educational, and social service needs of families in the area. Its new community center opened in 1929 - one of the finest social centers of the country. 

This week we return to residential architecture as we begin a three-part series on the work of renowned Grosse Pointe architect, Leonard B. Willeke. We recently presented the life and work of this incredible designer as part of the Higbie Maxon Agney Lecture series. Willeke’s story continues with several projects we have yet to feature in depth, starting…

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