Detroit's wealth of architectural talent!

[Neilr]

With the Finck House back in good hands I thought I would post a few of George Mason's great designs. First the Frederick Fisher Mansion including images from an issue of Michigan Architect and Engineer and from the Burton Historic Collection.


54 Arden Park Boulevard built in 1917 Arden Park-East Boston Historic District Detroit, MI.

p69rrh51, thank you for posting the pictures of the Frederick Fisher House on Arden Park. It is, IMO, perhaps the most beautiful house in metro Detroit.


For many years, decades actually, it was owned by Dr. & Mrs. Dewitt Burton. Whenever I would drive down Arden Park in the evening, I would slow down so I could look at their front door with its beautifully crafted wrought iron grillwork. But even more importantly, to me, was to look through the glass to the stair hall [[which they kept lit) so I could see the staircase with its velvet rope swagging down the wall. It is, to me, the most elegant architectural feature in Detroit.


Again, thank you for posting these pictures.

[speeddaytwah]

This is why Detroit is the Paris of the Midwest!

[p69rrh51]

p69rrh51, thank you for posting the pictures of the Frederick Fisher House on Arden Park. It is, IMO, perhaps the most beautiful house in metro Detroit.


For many years, decades actually, it was owned by Dr. & Mrs. Dewitt Burton. Whenever I would drive down Arden Park in the evening, I would slow down so I could look at their front door with its beautifully crafted wrought iron grillwork. But even more importantly, to me, was to look through the glass to the stair hall [[which they kept lit) so I could see the staircase with its velvet rope swagging down the wall. It is, to me, the most elegant architectural feature in Detroit.


Again, thank you for posting these pictures.

You are welcome Neilr! Also the Frederick Fisher home is in excellent hands! Although the current owner would move if the Alfred Fisher mansion in Palmer Woods became available.

[p69rrh51]

A design by Alden B. Dow.



22581 Statler built in 1950 Saint Clair Shores, MI.

[p69rrh51]

A Charles Horner design.



1041 Kensington built in 1935 Grosse Pointe Park, MI.

[p69rrh51]

Maurice V. Rogers another architect designing homes in Sherwood Forest and Grosse Pointe. Also one of a handful of architects with designs in Palmer Woods along with SF and GP.



19548 Canterbury built in 1940 Sherwood Forest Historic District Detroit, MI.

[p69rrh51]

A design by Maurice V. Rogers in Grosse Pointe.



121 Merriweather built in 1935 Grosse Pointe Farms, MI.

[p69rrh51]

A Maurice V. Rogers design in Palmer Woods.



19241 Afton built in 1936 Palmer Woods Historic District Detroit, MI.

[Neilr]

J. G. Steffens designed this house for J. B. Book on Burns in Indian Village, just south of Kercheval. This picture was published in 1923. It looks pretty much the same 90 years later in 2012.

[p69rrh51]

J. G. Steffens designed this house for J. B. Book on Burns in Indian Village, just south of Kercheval. This picture was published in 1923. It looks pretty much the same 90 years later in 2012.

Thx Neilr I had that home listed as MacFarlane, Maul & Lentz design.



1811 Burns built in 1914 Indian Village Historic District Detroit, MI.

[Neilr]

Thx Neilr I had that home listed as MacFarlane, Maul & Lentz design.



1811 Burns built in 1914 Indian Village Historic District Detroit, MI.

Here's my source. It's a 2/3 page ad for the Bay State Brick and Cement Coating Co. published in the March 1922 issue of The House Beautiful magazine.

[p69rrh51]

A Bloodgood Tuttle design.




Midland County Courthouse 301 West Main Street Midland, MI.

[p69rrh51]

A design by Otto Czeschinsky.



3487 Burns built in 1917 Indian Village Historic District Detroit, MI.

[p69rrh51]

A Marcel Breuer design including a short history from The Moorings a publication of the Grosse Pointe Historical Society.



Central Branch Grosse Pointe Public Library 10 Kercheval built in 1953 Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

[p69rrh51]

A Robert O. Derrick design including a short history from The Moorings a publication of the Grosse Pointe Historical Society.



211 Vendome built 1931 Grosse Pointe Farms, MI.

[Smirnoff]

p69rrh51: Did not read the entire thread.....just curious, how were you able to gather all of the information [[year, photos, architect, history, etc) on all of the historic homes.....?

BTW: Great Job!

[p69rrh51]

p69rrh51: Did not read the entire thread.....just curious, how were you able to gather all of the information [[year, photos, architect, history, etc) on all of the historic homes.....?

BTW: Great Job!

Thx Smirnoff! Its 30+ years of collecting info on the buildings pictured. I have had lots of help over time. If you do not have a copy you should purchase the bible-Buildings of Detroit by W. Hawkins Ferry. The book has just been reprinted and is available around town. BoD got me started on this quest. As for other info the sources are to many to list here. About 90% of the images I have shot in the last 2 years the others I have "liberated" from the net. If you are interested in learning more you are welcome to accompany me when I am out and about in the city, pm me if you are interested.

[p69rrh51]

A design by Fred A. Evans including an image from a 1921 issue of Michigan Architect and Engineer.



1975 Virginia Park built in 1917 Detroit, MI.

[p69rrh51]

A Malcomson & Higginbotham design.



John Monteith Elementary School 1095 Hubbard built in 1905 East Village Detroit, MI.

[p69rrh51]

A design by Albert G. Zimmerman.



N. B. C. Building 899 West Baltimore built in 1920 Midtown Detroit, MI

[p69rrh51]

Going through my images I found this Otto Sauer design in Indian Village with a similar arch we have been posting.

[p69rrh51]

Mr. Kuni was an early example of an architect who advertised. For a while [[I don't know how long), he ran a 4" x 4" weekly ad in Detroit Saturday Night. Two typical ads are attached from 1925. He - or whoever was responsible in his office - was an enthusiastic if not highly skilled perspectivist.

Attachment 17361Attachment 17362

An image of 8162 LaSalle for you mccarch

[p69rrh51]

Neilr this pair of book ends on my street have Kuni-esque details.

[Neilr]

Yes they do, thanks. I also like their slight variation on a theme.

[p69rrh51]

Albert Kahn does parking garage. Also included is an ad from a 1921 issue of Michigan Architect and Engineer featuring the garage.



Fort Shelby Garage 1st & Howard built in 1920 Downtown Detroit, MI.