Historical Architecture of Grosse Pointe – Architect Omer C. Bouschor

Last week we covered the residences created by architect Omer Cecil Bouschor in Grosse Pointe between 1934 and 1939. During his career this Detroit based architect created nearly 30 homes in the community, more than many other architects.

This week we conclude our presentation with the homes Bouschor designed between 1940 and 1954. Having mainly worked in Grosse Pointe Park during the 1930’s Bouschor, in the 1940’s, began to receive more commissions in the Farms and the Shores. From the list below you will the superb range of homes he created during this period.

1940

766 Berkshire

103 Vendome

715 Trombley

The 3,790 sq ft house is very different from Bouschor’s other projects from this era, employing strong influences from International style homes that had begun to emerge in Grosse Pointe during the mid-late 1930’s. As you will see from the photos below this house, over the years, has undergone a significant transformation. Color image courtesy of GoogleEarth.

825 Park Lane

15637 Windmill Pointe

This was arguably Bouschor’s most prestigious commission, created for Dr. Elden C. Baumgarten, an anesthesiologist. The large southern inspired Colonial home is located on the corner of a three-street intersection. It features a grand portico on the front elevation, complete with six tall columns, and a distinctive wrought iron balcony on the roofline. The property has a spacious 17’ x 28’ sq ft living room, four bedrooms, and two additional bedrooms for the maids, plus a wine cellar in the basement.

1941

15701 Windmill Pointe Drive

A further significant commission on Windmill Pointe was the stately Georgian 6,187 sq ft residence for Dr. Raymond H. Koebel. Once again Bouschor selected to adopt a traditional approach to the design. A large portico, four tall columns, and a distinctive pediment dominate the front façade of this symmetrical home. The house is located on an acre of land and at some point, a tennis court and an in-ground pool were added to the property.

400 Washington

A classically designed 2,600 sq ft symmetrical central entrance Colonial home. This was an exceedingly popular style throughout Grosse Pointe during this era, and this is a superb example of this approach.

655 Balfour

1948

55 Renaud – Image courtesy of GoogleEarth

15401 Windmill Pointe

This appears to be Omer C. Bouschor’s last project on Windmill Pointe. The modern Colonial inspired home was built for Tom Boyd. The cedar clad 6,500 sq ft residence features an “L” shaped Florida room, walnut paneling in the library, and five bedrooms.

1950

67 Sunningdale

1951

26 Harbor Hill

A gracious Colonial residence with a central entrance and a two story foyer. Constructed from brick this 3,877 sq ft home features a sweeping staircase, a servant’s wing over the garage, and a large Palladian window on the second floor above the main entrance. Image courtesy of Realtor.com

1950

73 Sunningdale

One of Bouschor’s larger homes, this 5,168 sq ft home appears to be one of the last designs he created in a Tudor Revival approach.

1954

44 Newberry Place

This is possibly the last home Bouschor created in Grosse Pointe. Designed in a Cape Cod style this 3,196 sq ft residence is constructed from brick and is a significant departure from his other work in Grosse Pointe.

The work of Omer C. Bouschor encompasses a number of architectural styles. Once you start to review the homes he created, it is clear not only was he a master of the Tudor Revival style but also at designing larger homes with individualistic architectural elements.

Omer Cecil Bouschor passed in Dearborn on 21 November 1974. While he may never become a household name, with nearly 30 homes across the Grosse Pointe communities he is one of the more prolific architects to work in the area. Let’s hope, one day, Mr. Bouschor is acknowledged as a key contributor to the historical architecture of Grosse Pointe.

* 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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