Real Estate Blog - Tonnancour

Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – The Tonnancour Estate

Posted by Kay Agney on October 7th, 2025

Last week we continued our exploration of Mid-Century Modern architecture as we presented some of the modern projects designed by James W. Conn. A fine example of his work is 781 Lake Shore, completed in 1964, for Dr. I. W. McLean.

This week we step back in time to one of the earliest homes built on Lake Shore – the Theodore Parsons Hall “Tonnancour” Estate - built in 1880, designed by Mortimer L. Smith. It was a significant estate for the emerging community of Grosse Pointe, and for Hall himself, a significant businessman in Detroit. Mr. Hall had retired early having made his fortune in the grain business and dedicated much of his time to the estate. 

Research by renowned historian Thomas W. Brunk states “In 1880, Theodore Hall purchased 63…

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Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe - The Early Summer Residences of Detroit’s Industrialists

Posted by Kay Agney on October 6th, 2020

Last week we presented the ‘Lake Terrace’ residences of John S. Newberry Sr. and Senator James McMillan. The two men were pivotal in the industrial growth of Detroit and inspiring the residential transformation of Grosse Pointe as an exclusive summer location for wealthy families from Detroit. 

This week we continue the story of the early summer homes built in Grosse Pointe with a review of the prominent industrialists who followed the example of John S. Newberry and James McMillan by having year-round homes on East Jefferson, and seasonal residences next to the lake in “The Pointe” as it was known 120 years ago. Source: Thomas A. Arbaugh, Tonnancour, Volume II.

The majority of these summer dwellings were built towards the end of the 19th…

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