Architect Henry F. Stanton

Last week we welcomed you to 330 Provencal, an opulent mansion designed in 1927 by Henry F. Stanton. Having enjoyed his work so much we thought we would delve into some of Stanton’s other projects that can be found throughout the Grosse Pointe communities.

There seems to be very little information on Stanton’s career, however, we do know Stanton was a faculty member of University of Michigan, and formed at least three partnerships with noted architects during his career – including Charles Kotting, Charles Crombie and James Hillier. Charles Kotting was ‘recognized as an architect of pronounced skill and ability whose designs combine in most attractive form, utility, convenience and beauty’. Source: the book ‘The City of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Volume 3’ (by Clarence Monroe Burton, William Stocking, and Gordon K. Miller).

Kotting created several stunning homes in Grosse Pointe, and over 100 structures in Metro Detroit. You can read his full story by clicking here.

It is not clear how many homes Stanton designed with Kotting, but they were responsible for 1034 Bishop in 1917.

Prior to his work with Kotting, it appears, in 1921, Henry Stanton formed a firm with Charles Crombie. Over a significant period they worked on many projects together, creating a rather eclectic portfolio. Not only did they design one of the largest homes in Grosse Pointe City (340 Lakeland) they also claimed third place in a national competition for the design of a low-cost brick house with 4-6 rooms. The award winning small brick home on Woodward Ave, Detroit, was contained within a rectangle measuring no more than 28 x 30 ft. and its success resulted with their work being featured in a book entitled ‘500 Small Houses of the Twenties’, which was published in 1923.

Crombie and Stanton had a stellar reputation for elegant, beautifully detailed brickwork, and impactful limestone entranceways. Their work is present in several of the Grosse Pointe communities including:

320 Washington (1921)
An elegant 5,947 sq ft Colonial brick home, the property features a walnut paneled library, spiral staircase, 6 bedrooms and a two-bedroom carriage house located over the three-car garage.

1036 Bishop (1923)
This is a 4,985 sq ft home designed in the Colonial Revival style.

1094 Grayton (1924)
This is a 3,511 sq ft home designed in the Colonial Revival style.

165 Cloverly (1925)
This is a 4,309 sq ft home.

340 Lakeland (1925)
Built on a large 1.14-Acre lot this stunning English manor house is a brick construction, with slate roof, and three delicate interlocking brick chimneys on the front elevation. The front of the 3-storey home also features a magnificent bay window and a wonderfully detailed arched front entrance with five rows of brick set within a step formation leading to the front door. The back of the property includes 5 big brick archways, creating an enclosed walkway. The level of craftsmanship of the brickwork on this home demonstrates a mastery of the skill by these two designers.

330 Provencal (1926) – solo project
You can read the full story of this magnificent 8,625 sq property by clicking here.

87 Kenwood (1926) – solo project
This is a 6,348 sq ft home designed in the English Tudor style.

125 Kenwood (1927) – solo project
This is a 7,300 sq ft home designed in the English manor style.

355 Lakeland (1927)
An exquisite brick construction, 355 Lakeland is arguably one of the finest examples of a brick home in the Grosse Pointes. The 6,838 sq ft home was designed in the French Provincial Revival style. The detailed brickwork is complimented by some wonderful limestone trim around the windows, along with an arched entranceway, also constructed from limestone, surrounded by Doric columns.

60 Lewiston (1929)
This is a 4,655 sq ft home designed in the French Provincial Revival style.

31 Beverly (1929)
This is a 5,600 sq ft home designed in the Colonial Revival style.

As with so many talented designers who worked in Grosse Pointe, Henry F. Stanton is an unsung hero. His attention to detail and magnificent brickwork is second to none, and the homes he created here are impactful, in a community where so many homes stand out.

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