Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe

Last week we presented the work of respected architect F. Gordon Pickell. Mr. Pickell not only designed the magnificent 246 Lakeland, but he also created two fine homes on University Place.

As part of our research, we discovered 354 University Place (designed by Mr. Pickell) was once owned by Frank Palms Book, a descendent of one of Grosse Pointe’s Oldest families. Mr. Book was the son of Dr. James B. Book, a wealthy Detroit landowner for whom the Book Building is named. Frank Book was a leading Detroit real estate developer who helped maintain the Book Estate. His younger brother, Herbert Vivian Book, was the former owner of 15440 Windmill Pointe, the fantastic French Chateaux that was razed in 1978. So, this week, we are going to delve deeper into the history of 15440 Windmill Pointe. Image of Mr. Book courtesy of: findagrave.com

15440 Windmill Pointe was designed by renowned Detroit architect Louis Kamper for Mr. Book in 1921. Mr. Kamper could be described as one of the most impactful designers to have graced Detroit. His style, influence, and work were on par with Albert Kahn, and George D Mason – in terms of the architectural influence that their many respective projects have left on the city, and the United States.

Born in Bavaria, Germany in 1861 Louis Kamper emigrated to the U.S. with his family in 1880. Having arrived in Detroit in 1888, he quickly established himself on the architectural scene, joining the firm of Scott & Scott, becoming partner within a year. His list of wealthy clientele grew quickly and he soon established a relationship with several prominent families within Metro Detroit – including the Book family, becoming their chief architect. During this era, he received many commissions from the family. Two of his most noted projects are the Book Building (1917) and the striking Book Tower (1926). Another key project was helping to transform Washington Boulevard into the most opulent, and successful retail destination in Detroit. By 1923 Herbert Book, and his brothers James and Frank, had already acquired much of the real estate on the blvd. The brothers then set about creating their very own hotel, hiring Kamper to design what would become the most extravagant hotel in the city. When it was completed, in 1923, the 33-story Book-Cadillac Hotel was the tallest hotel in the world. Source Historic Detroit.org. Image courtesy of Detroit Free Press (Detroit Free Press, November 1924)

Prior to the completion of the hotel, Herbert Book (born in Detroit on 5 May 1895) had hired Louis Kamper to design a spectacular French Châteaux on the shores of Lake St. Clair, located on a two-acre lot. When it was completed in 1921, it had reportedly cost $650,000 (around $9.5m today), with Book paying an additional $50,000 for the land (around $700,000 today). Source: The Grosse Pointe News, 1978. It was an imposing home. Kamper, in an interview with the Detroit Free Press (February 1925) said “It presents the character of a French chateau of the time when the style of Henry II was merging into the richly decorated Gothic of Francis I”.

Around 16,000 sq ft, the 27-room home was constructed of limestone, with a steep roof of block slate with “interesting chimneys and dormer windows.” Source: Detroit Free Press (February 1925). The article also described how “the entrance and stair hall were marble, and the balustrade was of delicately polychrome wrought iron. The living room (56‘ long and 28’ wide) with walnut pillars and paneling, extended across the entire east wing of the house overlooking the 200 ft wide lake frontage, which included the terraced lawn, and the gardens. At either end were the library, and the dining room”.

The first floor also had a bar room, vault, an activities room, a butler’s pantry, a large kitchen, and individual powder rooms for ladies and gentlemen. The second floor was the location of seven sizeable bedrooms, six full bathrooms, four dressing rooms, and a large sitting room. The third floor had a further five bedrooms for servants’ two full bathrooms, and an area for storage. The estate also had a stone carriage house with a four-car heated garage along with an upper apartment with a living room, kitchen, bath, and three bedrooms. Also on the grounds were a workman’s shed, large greenhouse, fishpond, a concrete boat well, and an electric boat or seaplane hoist. It is reported “the grounds were attractively planned, the main units being a fere court, garden arbor, and a simple rose garden with a service court that was separated from the rest by a high stone wall.” Source: Detroit Free press (February 1925). We are unable to locate any interior photos of the home, but the exterior shots certainly provide evidence of how grand this estate truly was.

In 1945 Charles P. Helin and his wife, owner of the Helin Tackle Company, purchased the home (it appears Mr. Book and his wife, Eleanore, had already moved to 104 Meadow Lane). On March 18, 1978, while Helin was travelling in China, it is reported vandals broke into the home and fire had broken out. It turned into one of the worst fires in Grosse Pointe for many years. Aside from destroying the home Helin loved it also took the largest private butterfly collection in the world with it, along with valuable antiques and paintings that Mr. Helen had gathered from numerous trips around the world. It was reported “the total loss was set at $2.5 million for the building and about $1 million for the contents. Source: Grosse Pointe News (April 20, 1978). The unfortunate events of that day also included the tragic loss of City firefighter Richard M, Tucker, who died while fighting the blaze.

Based on an article from the Grosse Pointe News it is reported Helin never returned to Grosse Pointe after the loss of his home, and reportedly died heartbroken shortly after the fire. It was demolished in April, 1978. The photos below show the house after the fire. They were kindly sent to us by Mike Skinner (Grosse Pointe Historical Society) from his personal collection.

The loss of 15440 Windmill Pointe on that faithful day was a huge impact on the community. It was arguably one of the finest homes to have graced Grosse Pointe, and it is still fondly remembered as the grand French Chateau.

* Photos courtesy of the Higbie Maxon Agney archives unless stated.
** Research, information, and data sources are deemed reliable, but accuracy cannot be fully guaranteed.

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