Real Estate Blog - Louis Kamper

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 128 Lewiston

Last week we stopped by 1041 Lochmoor. This Tudor style home was completed in 1923, having been built by builder John A. Corrick for his family. It was designed by architects Herman & Simons. Mr. Corrick described his new house as the families “dream home”.

This week we head to 128 Lewiston in Grosse Pointe Farms. Completed in 1923, it was designed by architectural master Louis Kamper for national rubber expert Walter E. Parker.

Louis Kamper was one of the most impactful designers to have graced the area. His style, influence, and work were on par with Albert Kahn, and George D. Mason in terms of the architectural legacy that many of their projects left on the city, and across the United States. Kamper had a long and distinguished career, he is…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe - 1008 Buckingham

Last week we presented the history of 15440 Windmill Pointe, designed by renowned architect Louis Kamper for Herbert V. Book in 1921. The fantastic French Chateaux, one of the finest homes to have graced Grosse Pointe, was razed in 1978 after a fire.

This week we stay with the work of Louis Kamper as we head to 1008 Buckingham, Grosse Pointe Park. This magnificent home was completed in 1921-1922 for Kurt Kling, of the P. H. Kling Brewing Company.

1008 Buckingham is a fine English Tudor style stately home. The 4,140 sq ft residence was designed by one of the most impactful designers to have graced Detroit. As with any residence designed by Kamper, the architectural detailing inside and out is second to none. The home is filled with high ceilings,…

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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 – Hugo Scherer

Last week we concluded our series on the Schmidt family “one of the oldest and eminently noteworthy families” of Detroit. The article touched on the life of Hugo Scherer, husband of Clara Schmidt.

This week we delve further into the life of Hugo Scherer, a prosperous businessman and real estate magnet. He was a prominent figure in Detroit and Grosse Pointe for over 40 years.

Born 9 October 1859, in Detroit, Hugo Scherer completed his education in the city and then spent six years studying at universities in Europe. Following his returned to the United States he embarked on a distinguished career. He married Clara Schmidt on April 11, 1888, and together they had two daughters, Marion (born in 1897), and Dorothy (born in 1901). The family resided…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to Rathbone Place

Last week we explored the history of 4 Rathbone Place, a stunning Colonial Revival home completed in 1916-17 for Samuel T. Douglas, a senior member of one of the oldest law firms in Detroit, Douglas and Bowen. It was designed by the renowned duo of Chittenden and Kotting.

This week we stay on Rathbone Place to present the full story of this historic street that has some of the finest one-of-a-kind residences in Grosse Pointe dating back to the beginning of the Twentieth century. One of the earliest inhabitants on the street was Charles A. Rathbone, president of the Buhl Malleable Company. His father, William P. Rathbone, was one of the most prominent and successful real estate men in the state of Michigan during the nineteenth century. It is also…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe –251 Lincoln Road

Last week explored another property by Louis Kamper as we traveled to Washington Road to visit an historic home located at the foot of the street - 285 Washington, completed in 1912, for James L. Lee.

This week we stay with the work of Louis Kamper, to feature another superb property from his Italian Renaissance period, to bring you the story of 251 Lincoln Rd. As we mentioned last week some of Kamper’s work, during the early twentieth century, was heavily influenced by Italian Renaissance architecture, he created at least three significant properties in Grosse Pointe in this style – 285 Washington (1912), 1 Rathbone Place (1917) and 251 Lincoln (1918).

251 Lincoln, “Edgeroad” (the original address was 17743 E. Jefferson) was completed in 1918,…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 285 Washington Road

Last week we explored 50 Moross. The property was designed for William E. Moran, in 1914, by Louis Kamper - one of the most noted architects to grace Metro Detroit. 

This week we head to another property by Kamper as we travel to Washington Road to visit an historic home located at the foot of the street - welcome to 285 Washington.

The address of this property was originally listed as 4455 E. Jefferson, it was then changed to 17631 E. Jefferson, and finally to 285 Washington. The residence is immense in size and stature and once presented an impressive entrance to one of the most prominent streets in the community. Image courtesy of Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University (1933).

The 7,629…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Lewiston Road – Part 1

Last week we went to Grosse Pointe City to explore the picturesque street of Village Lane, located between Cadieux and Notre Dame. The historic properties, completed before 1930, provide an eclectic mix of architectural styles from traditional Clapboard Colonial though to an English cottage style residence.

This week we turn our attention to a rather prominent road in Grosse Pointe Farms, Lewiston, in part one of a two-part series. During the first half of the 20th century, an era of substantial residential growth in Grosse Pointe Farms, Lewiston Road became the location of multiple impactful homes that were created by some of Detroit’s most distinguished architects. In part one, we will take a look at the first block, located between Grosse Pointe…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to the Lost Estate, 10 Moross

Last week we explored 130 Kenwood, completed in 1926. J. Ivan Dise designed the English Tudor style home for Luther David Thomas. It is one of the larger Dise homes in Grosse Pointe.

This week we head to a lost estate, 10 Moross – on the corner of Moross and Lake Shore. It is believed this once grand home was designed in the early 20th century (around 1905) by Louis Kamper and razed in 1968.

Born in Bavaria, Germany in 1861, Louis Kamper emigrated to the U.S with his family in 1880. He arrived in Detroit in 1888, and quickly established himself on the architectural scene, joining the firm of Scott & Scott, becoming partner within a year. The majority of Kamper’s career focused largely on two areas — designing magnificent residences for the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 12 Rathbone Place

Last week we presented another majestic home designed by Raymond Carey – 338 Provencal. The 10,304 sq ft English Tudor Manor was completed in 1928, for Howard F. Smith, VP of the Canada and Dominion Sugar Company in Ontario.

This week we head to a splendid property, 12 Rathbone Place (original address 17400 E. Jefferson). Alpheus Chittenden completed the English Manor home in 1909, for John Gaine Rumney and his wife Mary Elizabeth (Pittman).

John G. Rumney, a prominent Detroiter, was born in Detroit, 1850. He began his career as a salesman for Ducharme, Fletcher & Company - dealers in wholesale hardware. He then took the position of treasurer at the Hart Manufacturing Company, a position he held for eight years. In 1888, he relocated to Helena,…

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