Detroit's wealth of architectural talent!

**Kathleen** · March-06-13, 10:30 AM

Thanks, Ben, for sharing all the photos and the information!! I've learned a lot, and plan to visit some of the sites designed by my fave architects during the summer months!!

**Patrick** · March-06-13, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by p69rrh51

Looks like this thread has run its course. I have had a lot of fun posting the images. Almost all the buildings in the images posted are standing and I hope that everyone takes time out and tours their favorites.

Thank you for your support!

Thanks for the amazing photos and information! This may very well be one of the finest threads we have ever had on DY, along with the auto factory related one. I am sure other architecture threads will come along soon.

**stromberg2** · March-06-13, 02:20 PM

Thanks for amazing thread, p69!! I hope there is more, though?!

**Islandman** · March-06-13, 02:34 PM

I don't believe you've run out of pictures, Sir! Lies!!

**Neilr** · March-06-13, 05:58 PM

Thank you p69rrh51, and to all the other posters and readers, it's been a great run!

**southofbloor** · March-06-13, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by p69rrh51

Looks like this thread has run its course. I have had a lot of fun posting the images. Almost all the buildings in the images posted are standing and I hope that everyone takes time out and tours their favorites.

Thank you for your support!

I knew this day would come! [[OH NO!) Thanks for all of the posts. This collection of information is absolutely amazing. Still digesting.

**p69rrh51** · March-07-13, 06:53 PM

Everyone is welcome! I appreciate all the terrific notes. Islandman I have not run out of images[[I still have a large number of pics to take) and everyone can follow them on my Facebook page [[search for Benjamin Gravel). I do not have time to keep this page and my main page on FB going right now. I am preparing for one tour and one lecture. The tour will be of the architect designed homes in the Windmill Pointe subdivision for the GP Historic Society and a lecture for the Detroit Drunken Historical Society. I will let everyone know when both events will take place.

**southofbloor** · March-08-13, 08:43 AM

Great - please do!

**callmefbm** · March-08-13, 08:57 AM

This is a lot of unique work, and I would like to add my thanks as well.

Well done, sir!

**EASTSIDE CAT 67-83** · March-08-13, 01:13 PM

P69...what can I say other than I feel I have Masters Degree in Detroit Architecture having been a devotee to you suburb thread all these months!!!
Thanks

**Mikeg** · March-08-13, 02:15 PM

Before this thread is "put to bed", please let me add one more building.

Noted church and institutional architect/construction superintendent Peter Dederichs also designed commercial buildings, such as this one at 3353 Michigan Ave. near 23rd, for his client, Anthony Grosfield.

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This building [[shown above in a Jan. 2013 photo) occupies Lot 2 and part of Lot 1 of Fisher's Sub, Lots 62 and 63 of the George B. Porter Farm sub [[plat map from 1887 abstract is shown below).

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The abstract indicates that the deed for Grosfield's purchase of the property was recorded on Jan. 7, 1885.

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On Aug. 31, 1887, Grosfield paid Dederichs $140 for "plans & specifications of double brick store on Michigan Ave."

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On Sept. 16, 1887 Grosfield received this 90 day permit from the city of Detroit to partially block a portion of the street with building materials in front of 975-977 Michigan Ave.

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These are invoices & receipts for payments made to the building contractor, Samuel Stringer, whose business card is also shown.

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Here's an April 14, 1888 receipt of payment by Dederichs for superintending construction. Note that the total cost of the building was estimated to be $8,196, with a detailed breakdown in the left margin.

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Soon after the construction was complete, the building was occupied by "Charles Reeber & Bro. Dry Goods"[[later they would purchase this building and switch to selling retail furniture at this location until 1960).

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**p69rrh51** · July-17-14, 12:34 PM

Since you are new, a little help. First Detroit's architectural history has been extensively discussed on here and the old dyes forum. This link should help you get started.

http://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthr...tectual-talent!

Also come join us at this group if you have a facebook account.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/412764338844049/

**p69rrh51** · July-20-14, 06:24 PM

Designed by the Lansing based firm of Mead & White. 207 King built in 1898 North End Detroit, MI.

**p69rrh51** · July-20-14, 06:29 PM

Designed by Kastler & Hunter. 221 East Boston Boulevard built in 1899 Arden Park-East Boston Boulevard Historic District-North End Detroit, MI.

**p69rrh51** · July-20-14, 06:37 PM

Designed by H. Augustus O'Dell for H. Augustus O'Dell. Inch House 1945 Tiverton built in 1926 Bloomfield Hills, MI.

Includes in image of the floor in the front hall and dining room. The marble floor is made up of pieces of every type of marble used at the Fisher Building. O'Dell managed to aquire the marble and hired an artisan to execute the design and installation of the floor.

**p69rrh51** · July-20-14, 06:39 PM

Designed by Almon C. Varney. Lexington Apartments 58 West Ferry built in 1904 Wayne State University Detroit, MI.

**Victor Muelhoefer** · August-07-14, 11:14 AM

Hello!! I have found something that could interest you. An article in the Detroit News about the fire at Helins Mansion. Also some pictures. I did persolly know Charles, I was here in Europe, and He was with his family on a trip through China as the fire demolished his home. Hope you like the info attached. Victor[ATTACH]2411 Name: Scannen0024.jpg
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2[/ATTACH] Was on the 20 March 1978, he passed away one year later.

**SyGolden48236** · August-07-14, 11:27 AM

I lived several doors down from that home at the time and distinctly remember the fire. It was an awful night. A G.P.C. fireman was killed when a brick and stone wall collapsed on him. Nobody was ever prosecuted for the arson.

That house was originally built by Herbert Book, one of the Book brothers who built the Book Cadillac Hotel and much of Washington Blvd. He lost it in a tax foreclosure in the 1930s and Helin bought it shortly after that.

**Victor Muelhoefer** · August-07-14, 12:07 PM

Hello! Is anyone interessted in this catalogue. I was at the auction in 1971. I noted inside the price the items went for. Found this recently in my bookshelf where it just collects dust! Maybe someone is interessed . Name: Scannen0025.jpg
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**SyGolden48236** · August-07-14, 12:10 PM

I am very interested in that catalogue.

**p69rrh51** · September-12-14, 08:35 PM

Designed by William E. N. Hunter. 485 East Grand Boulevard built in 1906 East Grand Boulevard Historic District Detroit, MI.

**p69rrh51** · September-12-14, 08:37 PM

Designed by William E. N. Hunter. 709 Virginia Park built in 1908 New Center Historic District Detroit, MI.

**p69rrh51** · September-12-14, 08:38 PM

Designed by William E. N. Hunter. 720 Virginia Park built in 1908 New Center Historic District Detroit, MI.

**p69rrh51** · September-12-14, 08:40 PM

Designed by William E. N. Hunter. 208 Arden Park built in 1910 East Boston-Arden Park Historic District Detroit, MI.

**kathy2trips** · September-13-14, 11:41 PM

Though it's been posted before, it may be a good idea to once again post the link for the R.L. Polk Detroit City Directory 1929-30 from the U of M. It's helpful to research addresses that may have caught your eye, but you don't know what they were/are. I just forwarded this to a photographer who didn't know she was looking at the former Detroit Knitting Mills on Gratiot [[a favorite back-to-school destination for winter clothes).

Index: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/g/genpub/A...ext;view=image