Real Estate Blog - Robert O. Derrick

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 World’s Most Expensive Weathervane

Last week we visited a stunning Georgian Colonial style home – 160 Provencal. It was originally commissioned by Inez Chapin, however, following her death before it was finished it was completed by our founder Hugo Higbie and his wife Marian Chapin (Inez’s daughter) in 1957.

This week we look at the history of a rather stunning weathervane that once graced the roof of 248 Provencal. In 2006 it became the most expensive weathervane in the world when it was sold at auction for nearly $6m.

There are many stunning weathervanes in Grosse Pointe, situated on the roofs and cupolas of some of the magnificent homes in the community. Once such example is the molded copper weathervane that was once situated on the roof of 248 Provencal – 5ft tall, a rare…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Robert O. Derrick Homes on Provencal – Part 2

Last week we continued with the work of Robert O. Derrick, as we stopped by 97 Touraine. This stunning Georgian style home was completed in 1929, for stockbroker Howard Bennett.

This week we return to Robert O. Derrick’s work on Provencal. We recently covered four homes he created, and now we explore two further properties – 290 Provencal and 274 Provencal. This makes six homes in total on this special road - more than any other architect.

290 Provencal
290 Provencal was completed in 1924, by Robert O. Derrick for Hiram H. Walker II, and his wife Elizabeth Stroh. Prior to moving into their new home on Provencal, the couple resided at a gracious home in Indian Village - 1441 Burns - designed by Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls. His grandfather, Hiram…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 97 Touraine

Last week we reviewed Robert O. Derrick’s work on Provencal – 23 Provencal, 248 Provencal (now razed), 214 Provencal, and 204 Provencal (now razed). Derrick was one of a handful of architects to design multiple homes on this street.

This week we continue with the work of Robert O. Derrick, as we stop by 97 Touraine. This stunning Georgian style home was completed in 1929, for stockbroker, Howard Bennett. 

As a prolific architect in Grosse Pointe, Derrick played a pivotal role in helping transform the architectural scene in Grosse Pointe from the 1920’s onwards. He specialized in creating large formal residences for prominent clientele who were looking for ‘something spectacular’. Arguably Derricks most productive and defining era occurred in the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Robert O. Derrick Homes on Provencal - Part 1

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

This week, we continue the theme of multiple homes created by a single architect on this significant street with the work of local architect Robert O. Derrick – 23 Provencal, 290 Provencal, 274 Provencal, 248 Provencal (now razed), 214 Provencal, and 204 Provencal (now razed).

HMA is a huge fan of the work by this skilled architect and has sold many homes Robert O. Derrick designed, including the exquisite 211 Vendome. As a prolific architect in the community, Derrick played a pivotal role in helping transform the architectural scene in Grosse Pointe during the 1920’s. He specialized…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – History of Kerby Elementary School

Last week we explored a distinctive block of Stephens Road that runs from Ridge Rd to Charlevoix Ave. This pretty section is the location of some of the finest Ranch homes in Grosse Pointe, along with several larger residences, including a splendid Colonial built by prominent builder Louis C. Miller.

This week, in honor of Grosse Pointe History Day at Ford House on February 4, we are going to begin a three-part series that will focus on the history of some of the schools in Grosse Pointe.Grosse Pointe History Day is an educational program that encourages students to explore their community's history. We begin the series with the story of one of the oldest schools in the community – Kerby Elementary school.

Previously, we have researched the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 70 Vendome

Last week we presented the history of 257 Ridge Road, a stunning Tudor style residence designed by architectural legend Albert Kahn. It was completed in 1928-1929 for Jerome Hosmer Remick whose company was one of the largest publishers of sheet music in the world.

This week we answer a request from another of our readers, Paul, who contacted us to research a rather splendid home, 70 Vendome. Located on one of the most prestigious streets in Grosse Pointe Farms, it was designed by prolific local architect Robert O. Derrick in 1929, for Frank E. Price.

Paul informed us, during the 1980’s, when he was in high school and part of college, he worked for a landscape services company in Grosse Pointe. During his time with the company, he saw some…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 15420 Windmill Pointe

Last week we stopped by arguably one of the most prestigious homes in the Grosse Pointe communities – 15520 Windmill Pointe, designed by Alpheus W. Chittenden in 1903, for John B. Ford.

This week we stay on Windmill Pointe to visit 15420 Windmill Pointe, designed by noted local architect Robert O. Derrick for John Bell Moran. Completed in 1927, “Bellmor” is a 12,000 square foot English Tudor style mansion.

The Moran’s have been a prominent family in Detroit for nearly 300 years – they were one of the early French families who settled in Detroit in the early 1700’s. John B. Moran was part of the family who in 1750, had taken ownership of one of the long, thin ribbon farms in the area and subsequently became huge landholders.

During the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 290 Provencal

Last week we delved deeper into one of the gardens designed by Ruth Bramley Dean - 354 University Place, Grosse Pointe. The property was completed in 1914, by Detroit based architect F. Gordon Pickell for Charles Bagley DuCharme. However, the garden was created for Mrs. Elizabeth Bonbright - who had purchased the home from Mr. DuCharme around 1922-1923.

This week we conclude our exploration of the work by Ruth Bramley Dean as we look at 290 Provencal. This was one of three gardens she created in Grosse Pointe that resulted in her becoming the first woman to be awarded the prestigious Architectural League of New York’s Gold Medal.

290 Provencal was completed in 1924, having been designed by Robert O. Derrick for Hiram Walker Jr., and his wife…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 6 Woodland Place

Last week we took a closer look at 2 Woodland Place, the venue of this year’s GPHS gala. Completed in 1928, 2 Woodland Place sits on 1.4 acres and overlooks Lake St. Clair. It was architect Robert O. Derrick’s third project on the street and was extensively remodeled by Hugh T. Keyes in 1941.

This week we conclude our exploration of Woodland Place with a visit to number 6. Completed in 1925, this 4,876 sq ft home was created in an English architectural approach. The house was commissioned by Harry Seymour Finkenstadt and was designed by Robert O. Derrick - his second project on the street. 

6 Woodland Place is a striking home. We were lucky enough to have been contacted by one of the former owners Dr. Delf Dodge who lived at the residence with…

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