Grosse Pointe has been home to many nationally noted artists, designers and sculptors, including William Hawkins Ferry, Alexander Girard and William Kessler – to name but a few. Parducci was one of the most acclaimed sculptors of the early 20th century, and it was here in Grosse Pointe, at 21 Colonial Road, Grosse Pointe Shores, […]
Last week we explored 221 Lewiston – a unique Italian Renaissance villa designed by Hugh T. Keys for businessman Charles A. Dean and his wife Helen W. Dean (Ryan). This week we turn our attention to some of the less well-known homes created by William B. Stratton. We have previously covered many homes by Stratton, […]
We stay in Grosse Pointe Farms and head to one of the stunning homes on Ridge Road, number 166. Running through the heart of the Farms Ridge Road is one of the communities more distinctive streets. Based on research by the Grosse Pointe Historical Society, we understand, in 1885, most of the land between Ridge […]
Last week we continued the story of Lewiston Rd, part 2, profiling a range of homes located between Kercheval and the end of the street completed in 1930, or earlier. This week we continue the story of one of the more unique homes on Lewiston. Completed in 1924, 221 Lewiston is an Italian Renaissance villa […]
Last week we presented part 1 of Lewiston Road with a selection of the homes created before 1930, on the first block located between Grosse Pointe Blvd and Kercheval. This week we continue the story of Lewiston Rd with a range of homes located between Kercheval and the end of the street. As with part […]
We turn our attention to another significant period of transformation, the 1950s. As the large mansions on Lake Shore were razed and the plots subdivided new developments and streets were rapidly appearing. One such street was Sunningdale. Like so many of the “newer” streets in the community, Sunningdale is one without a definitive architectural style. […]
In part 1 we presented the story of Jens Jensen – in part 2 we continue the story. Much of Jen Jensen’s work at the Ford Estate followed similar patterns he had employed in many of his existing projects. For example one key component to some of his work was walkways around a central meadow. […]
When we think of the Ford Estate thoughts immediately turn to the stunning Cotswold house, designed by Albert Kahn for Edsel and Eleanor Ford in 1929. However, putting the house to one side, the original 125-acre estate, located at Gaukler Pointe, is also home to magnificent gardens, and several additional eye-catching buildings. Over the years […]
Last week we went to Grosse Pointe City to explore the picturesque street of Village Lane, located between Cadieux and Notre Dame. The historic properties, completed before 1930, provide an eclectic mix of architectural styles from traditional Clapboard Colonial though to an English cottage style residence. This week we turn our attention to a rather […]
This week we would like to focus on another of Grosse Pointes’ lost mansions – “By-Way”, located at 17770 East Jefferson, the former home of Frederick Moulton Alger. We have already delved into the history of several lost estates on Lakeshore. These grand mansions, owned by prominent members of the community (Scott Whitcomb, Henry D. […]