Real Estate Blog - Louis Kamper

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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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 195 Lake Shore, The Hugo Scherer Mansion

Last week we explored one of the most recognizable homes on Lake Shore, number 699, previously known as Shadowlawn. It was designed by Maul & Lentz for Raphael Edward “Ray” Danaher, and completed in 1924. 

This week we would like to present 195 Lake Shore, built in 1898 for Hugo Scherer, his wife Clara, and their two daughters Marion, and Dorothy. Louis Kamper designed, what was originally, a spectacular summer residence. Located on Lake Shore Dr, at Moran Road, it was constructed during an era when rich Detroit families came to Grosse Pointe to spend the summer months close to the lake.

This was arguably one of Louis Kamper’s earliest projects in the Grosse Pointe communities. Prior to this Hugo Scherer had already hired Kamper to design his…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 1 Rathbone Place

Last week we explored another of Grosse Pointes lost estates, 735 Lake Shore, a grand Tudor mansion designed by Albert Kahn for Alvan Macauley, in 1930, which was demolished in 1974.

This week we travel to 1 Rathbone Place. Sitting on close to 1 acre of land, running from Jefferson to the lake, this beautiful home was designed by famed Detroit architect, Louis Kamper, between 1917-1918, for John G. Rumney. Image courtesy of Grosse Pointe Historical Society.

1 Rathbone Place, an Italian Villa, is a particularly striking home. The three magnificent archways dominate the front elevation, as does the low sloping tiled roof, and the large overhanging eaves. As you would expect with any creation by Kamper the 6,805 sq ft home is filled with superb…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to 16761 E. Jefferson

Having featured the superb work of Clarence E. Day last week, we now turn our attention to a rather prominent home of Jefferson – welcome to “Lawn Leighton” also known as 16761 E.Jefferson.

This magnificent mansion was designed by one of Detroit’s finest architects, Louis Kamper, and was built between 1916-17. Christian Henry Haberkorn, Jr., a prominent banker in Detroit, commissioned it. Mr. Haberkorn was the son of C. H. Haberkorn, Sr., and Fances H. Ruehle, whose family had been prominent in Detroit for four generations. Born in Detroit, 1889, he graduated from Harvard in 1912 with a degree in Economics. Shortly after leaving Harvard Mr. Haberkorn began his career with C. H. Haberkorn & Co., manufacturers of furniture, where he held the title of…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 175 Merriweather Road

Last week we profiled 21 Colonial Rd, the magnificent former home of nationally recognized architectural sculptor Corrado Parducci. This week we head to Grosse Pointe Farms, and to one of the earliest homes built on Merriweather, number 175. 

Merriweather was originally part of a large cherry orchard. It wasn’t until the late 1920’s that houses first began to appear on the plot of land. 

Number 175 was one of the earlier homes to be constructed. Designed by acclaimed architect Louis Kamper, it was completed in 1929 as a wedding present, from Kamper and Kurt Kling, to the newly married couple of John Robert Sutton, Jr. (Jack), and his wife Paula Kling Sutton (Kamper’s niece, and Kurt Kling’s daughter).

Louis Kamper, could be described as one…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Detroit’s Premier Architect– Louis Kamper

When we stop and consider which designers have had the greatest influence on the architectural scene in Detroit, it is quite possible there would be three reoccurring names – Albert Kahn, George Mason and Louis Kamper.

These three architectural masters worked during a golden era, creating residential and commercial structures that left not only a permanent mark but helped position Detroit as the home to some of the most remarkable buildings found in the United States.

All three of these special architects not only work in Detroit but also created homes in and around Grosse Pointe. Having previously featured the projects of Kahn and Mason lets now turn our attention to Louis Kamper.

Louis Kamper was born in Bavaria, Germany in 1861. He emigrated…

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