While new homes are nice, many older homes are absolutely fascinating. First, there's the history. It's always interesting to find out who built the home and lived there. Second, there are some lovely details that homes constructed today don't have. Let's delve into one of these iconic properties and discover what makes it so special.
Built in 1926, this Normandy-style Tudor home, located down a private lane at 16632 East Jefferson in Grosse Pointe Park, was designed by renowned architect Wallace Frost. Frost designed over 40 homes in and around the Metro Detroit area, at least 10 of which were in Grosse Pointe. The homes listed below span many different architectural styles, from traditional to modern, and were built between the 1920s and the 1950s.
- 242 Lewiston (1926)
- 42 Hendrie Lane (1926)
- 16632 E. Jefferson (1926)
- 16628 E. Jefferson (1927)
- 15324 Windmill Pointe (1927)
- 41 Hendrie Lane (1927)
- 157 Moross (1927)
- 75 Vendome (1929)
- 515 Lake Shore (1954)
- 280 Vincennes (1955)
According to writer Judy Rose in an article published in the Detroit Free Press, Frost was hired to build two houses on a large piece of land for Edgar Bowen and his brother Julian. Born in Detroit in 1886, Edgar Bowen graduated from the University of Michigan and later became vice president and secretary of The Ferry-Morse Seed Company, where his father served as president.
It has been reported that the Bowen brothers flipped a coin to determine whose house would be located closest to Lake St. Clair, and Julian won. Constructed of brick, stucco, and a steep slate roof, the front of the home incorporates a magnificent two-story tower with a conical roof situated in the 'elbow' of this 'L'- shaped home.
You see the grand staircase as you walk into the enormous stone floor foyer. The spacious living room boasts a wide bay window with a nice view of the lake. The large dining room has magnificent mahogany stained wood ceilings, and the library has warm wood paneling. All of these rooms feature oversized stone fireplaces.
The home is over 8,100 square feet, and the rooms are spacious. "But, even though it's large, it lives comfortably," says Kay Agney, owner of Higbie Maxon Agney Realtors® in Grosse Pointe Farms, who represents the house. "You don't feel like you're in this cavernous home. It's a very comfortable, very warm house."
Although the home has undergone many changes over the years, it retains much of its original character and some details for which Frost was known. "It has some of the most beautiful ornamental plasterwork I've ever seen," she says. "Many bathrooms still have Pewabic tile, and it's in great shape." The house has eight bathrooms in total.
(The Pewabic Pottery studio has been part of Detroit's fabric for over 120 years and is known for its iridescent glazes. This tile can be found throughout the city, including in the Guardian Building, the Detroit Public Library, the Detroit Zoo, Comerica Park, Little Caesars Arena, and QLINE stations.)
"The entire home has just been beautifully maintained," says Kay. The previous owners of this home have really loved it. I am so happy to see when homeowners leave things like Pewabic tile and don't try to rip out rooms to make a big open floor plan."
While there are a lot of original details in the house, such as the crown molding in many of the rooms and limestone detailing around the front door and first-floor windows, it also has all of the modern amenities that anyone would want, such as the second-floor laundry.
"The kitchen, of course, has been updated, and central air has been added on all three floors. The house now has an elevator from the basement to the third floor." Another fun addition is the theater in the basement.
"One of the really nice updates is the master bedroom, which has a fireplace, too," she says. It has an updated bath and a beautiful walk-in dressing room." This suite, along with four other bedrooms, is located on the second floor.
The third floor, with its 1500 square feet, used to contain a ballroom, but now it is a separate living area with two bedrooms, a bath, a kitchen, and a living room. It can be used as a mother-in-law suite, for a live-in nanny, or a private space for guests.
"The home also has this beautiful garden room that I'm sure is original to the house," says Kay. "It's off the dining room and is a beautiful place to sit and look at the gardens. The French doors open up to a small terrace where you see three striking large stone arches on the rear elevation. There are balustrades around the patio, and you're looking out at this expansive yard when sitting there. The house is on probably seven acres.
Since it's near the water, there are great views from inside and outside the home, which has a lot of stone detail. Lovely mature trees surround the home and add to that private feel. "Architecturally, it's just a beautiful home inside and out," she says.
The home's location in Grosse Pointe Park is also a fantastic benefit. "All of the Grosse Pointes have their own private waterfront and parks for residents," says Kay, who also lives in Grosse Pointe. In Grosse Pointe Park, we have two movie theaters that show first-run movies.
"We're also within 20 minutes of downtown Detroit, so it's easy to go there for hockey or football games and visit great restaurants. We're also only 18 minutes away from the entry into Canada, so right across the lake is another country! Most Realtors cannot claim that for a house. So while the home's location is secluded and private, you have access to all these wonderful places and things."
Higbie Maxon Agney is thrilled to represent this home. "The company has been fortunate to have been in this business in one shape or form since 1929," she says. "Most of the photos on our architectural blog come from our archives, which have the history of most of the homes in Grosse Pointe. We love that we're able to share those with the community."
If you're interested in purchasing the home (if it's still on the market), you can contact Kay. For over 30 years, she has specialized in waterfront homes and luxury properties, primarily in the Grosse Pointes. She has also earned the professional designations of a certified residential specialist and broker. She was the founding director of the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce and a past trustee for the Grosse Pointe Historical Society. She will be happy to give you a tour of this unique home.
Go to HigbieMaxon.com or call 313-886-3400 to visit this or other beautiful homes for sale.
"Architecturally, it's just a beautiful home inside and out."
"It has some of the most beautiful ornamental plasterwork that I've ever seen,"
