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Great Estates
Overview
 Many of Detroit's early 20th century automotive barons
built impressive residences in the city, a number of which are located in neighborhoods
now designated as historic districts (see the Experience Detroit Historic Neighborhoods Tour for more information). While some of these industry moguls were
content in their Detroit homes for many years, others built spectacular
retreats in rural areas outside the City (such as Meadow Brook Hall pictured
at right). Today, most of these
once-rural areas are now bustling suburbs, but the estates themselves are no
less grand than when they were built.
Below we feature seven
majestic Detroit area mansions built by major industrial power
brokers. To be on the safe side, count
on roughly four hours for each destination which includes drive time and
allows for a tour of the estate. Therefore,
we recommend picking two and making a full day of it. The number of estates you choose to visit
is optional. Having fun is not!
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Colonel Frank Hecker House
5510 Woodward Avenue, Detroit
[Map] [Website]
 Built in 1888 by one of Detroit's most well-known and wealthiest citizens, the Col.
Frank Hecker House occupies a prominent position on Woodward Avenue just north of the Cultural
Center. Louis Kamper
designed this 21,000 square-foot masterpiece based on Chateau de Chenonceaux
near Tours, France. Hecker
hosted elaborate society parties at his home where he entertained Presidents
McKinley and Hayes. In the late 1940s,
the home was sold to the Smiley Brothers Music Company and became the
birthplace of Detroit's Chamber Music Workshop and Women's Symphony. The mansion was recently rehabilitated and
today serves as law offices.
Cranbrook House
380 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills
[Map] [Website]
 Cranbrook is an internationally acclaimed
center of education, art, and science located in the exquisite suburb of Bloomfield Hills. The centerpiece of this 319-acre cultural
complex is Cranbrook House, former residence of founders George and Ellen
Booth . The mansion was designed by Albert
Kahn in English Arts and Crafts style and is the oldest surviving manor house
in metro Detroit. On display are ten
first-floor rooms, centuries-old tapestries, hand-carved woodworking, and
antiques. Outside, visitors can stroll
40 acres of breathtaking gardens, fountains, and sculpture.
Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
1100 Lake
Shore Drive, Grosse
Pointe Shores
[Map] [Website]
The Edsel and Eleanor Ford
House is the former private residence of Henry and Clara Ford's only child,
Edsel, his wife Eleanor, and their children.
Open to the public since 1978, the 87-acre Albert Kahn designed home
sits on the picturesque shoreline of Lake St. Clair. Inside the home is a museum showcasing the
Fords' collection of original antiques and art. Outside the home are lush gardens designed by
landscape architect Jans Jensen.
Public tours of the house, gardens, and grounds are available most
days.
Fisher Mansion
383 Lenox, Detroit
[Map]
 In 1927, Lawrence Fisher, founder of Fisher Body and
Cadillac, employed more than 200 European craftsmen to build his lavish home
on the Detroit River. The home was
modeled after William Randolph Hearst's San Simeon castle with a
Mission-style exterior, Italian marble fireplaces, and 24-karat gold-leaf
ceilings. The mansion was purchased by
Henry Ford's grandson in 1975 and subsequently donated to the Hare Krishna
religion. It now operates as a
cultural center open to the public and offering tours, a fascinating
collection of Asian and Indian art, and a vegetarian restaurant.
Henry
Ford Estate -- Fair Lane
4901 Evergreen
Rd., Dearborn
[Map] [Website]
 This National Historic Landmark was the home of Clara
and Henry Ford for over thirty years.
Construction began in 1914 with between 500 and 800 masons, wood carvers, and
artisans working under the direction of architect William Van Tine to
complete the estate. Tour the 31,000 square foot, 56-room residence, where
the Fords entertained some of the world’s most influential people, including
President Herbert Hoover, the Prince of Wales, aviator Charles Lindbergh, and
lifelong friend Thomas Edison. Explore
the spacious rooms with original furnishings and eight intricately designed
fireplaces. View the six-level working
powerhouse, research laboratory, and 12-car garage with some of Ford's
personal vehicles. And follow Ford’s
favorite walk down to the pond hidden in the woods. The meadow and cascade were designed by
renowned landscape designer Jans Jensen and are acknowledged to be two of the
greatest examples of landscape in America.
Last but not least, do not forget a bite to eat in the mansion's
unique swimming pool room. An
unforgettable experience all around!
Meadow Brook Hall
Oakland
University Campus, Rochester
[Map] [Website]
 Often described as "an American castle,"
Meadow Brook Hall is the fourth largest historic house museum in the United
States and is listed on both the state and national registers of historic
places. Construction of the hall began
in 1926 on the 1,500-acre family farm of Matilda Dodge Wilson (widow of Dodge
Brothers Motor Car Company founder John Dodge). The hall served as residence for Matilda
and her second husband, lumber broker Alfred G. Wilson, for 38 years. Meadow Brook Hall was opened to the
public in 1971 for many to enjoy the fine craftsmanship and exquisite
architecture of this 88,000 square foot, 110-room mansion, its extraordinary
collection of furnishings and art, and lush gardens and grounds. Do not miss the opportunity to visit this
historic destination.
 The Whitney
4421 Woodward Avenue, Detroit
[Map] [Website]
OK, this one wasn't built by
an automotive mogul, but not too shabby for well-to-do lumber baron David
Whitney Jr. who constructed the home in 1894. Whitney employed the services of Detroit
architect Gordon W. Lloyd who designed the exterior in Romanesque style and
utilized a rare variety of pink granite, giving the outside of the house a
rose hue. Visitors enter through the
stunning Great Hall with a grand staircase inviting them to explore the rest
of the 21,000 square foot, 52-room mansion.
In 1986, The Whitney became an upscale restaurant also featuring bar
and lounge areas on the third floor (see the Experience Detroit Restaurants page). Make a reservation for dinner, relax with a
drink and some music in the lounge, or simply drop in and spend some time
exploring this Detroit gem.
More
Information
Click on the links below for
more information on other homes and neighborhoods built by Detroit's powerful
businesspeople --
Architectural Tours
Bloomfield Hills, Cranbrook, & the
Village of Franklin
Grosse Pointe & Nautical Mile
Historic Neighborhoods
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