Real Estate Blog - Smith

Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Schaap Center

Last week we profiled another architect who was known nationally, yet not locally in Metro Detroit – Paul Rudolph. He came to Grosse Pointe in 1970 to create 3 Cameron Place for Dr. Frank Parcells. It was the only home he created in Michigan.

This week we stop by Grosse Pointes newest building, the A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Center for the Performing Arts. This stunning structure opened a couple of weeks ago (May 2026) and is now welcoming guests to enjoy performances and art displays in the Richard and Jane Manoogian Art gallery.

The Building
The Schaap Center is a world class performing arts center – it is 49,000 square feet, with 435 seats, state-of-the-art-lighting, world-class acoustics, and a temperature-controlled gallery. The design is…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 431 Lakeshore

Last week we concluded our two-part series on the St. Clare of Montefalco Parish. 2026 marks the 100th Anniversary, so in honor of this momentous celebration, we explored the history of the school and the church.

This week we turn our attention to one of Grosse Pointes lost estates – 431 Lake Shore. This once grand home was completed in 1914, by the nationally renowned architectural firm Smith, Hinchman & Grylls for William P. Stevens, an industrial developer. It was demolished in the fall of 2001. The post was a request from Mr. George, a former owner of the property.

431 Lake Shore was a magnificent Georgian Revival home, situated on a huge lot. When the house was first built, in 1914, the brick-built property had a prominent entrance at both…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls – Part 2

Last week we began a two-part series on the work of Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls (SHG). This esteemed firm created many fine homes in Grosse Pointe over several decades. In part one of the two-part series, we explored three properties they designed between 1909 - 1918 including 35 Fisher, the first telephone exchange for the Home Telephone Co.

This week, in part two, we continue with four more residences, created between 1919 and 1930. All these properties are located on some of the most esteemed streets in Grosse Pointe and were created for noted clientele.

390 Washington – 1919

Designed for Richard Matthew Heames, 390 Washington was created in a Mediterranean style – an approach that was gaining in popularity in Grosse Pointe during this…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls – Part 1

Last week we presented the home and work of Ward A. Detwiler. Mr. Detwiler and his partner John Bryant created some of the most noteworthy factories, stores, and offices in Detroit during the early 20th century. Mr. Detwiler resided at 1009 Three Mile; a house designed by noted architects Crombie & Stanton.

We recently featured the home of John Bryant – 815 Ellair - a stunning Tudor residence designed by the esteemed firm of Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls (SHG) in 1930. It was a just one of many fine homes created by the company over several decades. In part one of a two-part series, we will be presenting some more of the residential projects completed by the company in Grosse Pointe. This week we focus on three of the properties they designed between…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – 815 Ellair Place

Last week we introduced the Gracie Wallpaper Company. This very special and exclusive interior feature is not your standard wallpaper, but a covering of silk, hand painted by artists. To this day it remains highly sought after and can be found on the walls of some of the most notable homes in the world, including at least two residences in Grosse Pointe.

This week we head to 815 Ellair Place, a magnificent English Tudor residence located at the end of the street, overlooking Lake St. Clair. It was designed by the nationally recognized firm of Smith, Hinchman & Grylls in 1930, for John A. Bryant. Mr. Bryant was co-founder of the Bryant and Detwiler Company, one of Detroit's most noted building contractor firms. 815 Ellair was built by his own…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Country Club of Detroit

Last week we concluded our two-part feature on the Grosse Pointe Yacht with a presentation on the design of the club house, from the ornate exterior to the splendid Italian influenced interior. Upon completion on July 4, 1929, it was one of the finest yacht clubs in America.

This week we bring our exploration of Grosse Pointe Clubs to a close as we focus on the Country Club of Detroit. The current building was designed by the prestigious Detroit firm of Smith, Hinchmann, and Grylls. It opened in 1927.

Prior to the completion of the new clubhouse the history of the Country Club of Detroit (CCD) dates to 1886, when the original building was completed. The club hired architect William E. Brown to design a clubhouse that would be situated on the…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Robert Trombly Elementary School

Last week we explored Père Gabriel Richard Elementary School, designed by prominent local architect Robert O. Derrick. Completed in 1930, it is one of three schools Robert O. Derrick designed for the Grosse Pointe Public School System. 

This week we continue our theme of historic elementary schools in Grosse Pointe as we visit Robert Trombly Elementary School, located at 820 Beaconsfield, Grosse Pointe Park. Completed in January 1927, the school was named after Robert Trombly who served on the school board for 30 years. It was designed by a leading name in Detroit - Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls - a nationally acclaimed architectural firm. Around the same time as designing Trombly School, Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls were working on St. Pauls' Catholic…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Welcome to St. Paul’s – Part 3

Last week we continued our presentation on the St. Paul’s Church complex as we explored the interior of St. Paul’s church, along with the history of the rectory, the parish house, and the barn. This week we conclude our series with part 3, as we visit the school and convent buildings.

The St. Pauls' Catholic school and convent are located at the opposite end of the property, on Grosse Pointe Blvd. In 1926, it is reported the church committee voted to build a new elementary and high school on the grounds of the St. Paul’s church. The then pastor Fr. Alonzo H.B Nacy commissioned nationally acclaimed Detroit architectural firm Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls to design the school and convent buildings. “St. Paul's had acquired the Bertha Palms Lewis…

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Historic 35 Fisher Rd

Last week we reviewed a home created by contemporary architect Anne (Krebs) Crane, 15 Moorland - she designed for her and her husband, builder George C. Crane. Ms. Crane, in conjunction with her husband, was responsible for the design and/or build of several outstanding modern properties in Grosse Pointe from the 1950’s through to the beginning of the 1990’s.

This week we head to historic 35 Fisher Road. Completed in 1909, this iconic home was designed by Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls - one of the leading architectural firms in the United States at the turn of the century. 

35 Fisher Road (original address was 285 Fisher Rd) started out as Grosse Pointe’s first telephone exchange for the Home Telephone Company, serving the community for around eight…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Oxford Road – Part 1

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

This week we turn our attention back to Oxford Road and two grande dames that exist on the first block – number 30 and number 40. Having recently featured their once close neighbor 22 Oxford Road (a property that was razed in 2006), we wanted to continue the story of this prestigious street. 

The origins of Oxford Road appear to date back to the ribbon farms of the 18th Century – the long narrow strips of land that…

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