Patrick Member Username: Patrick
Post Number: 4324 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 10:52 pm: | |
Charles Platt is considered to be one of the most underrated architects in American history. He was mainly known for his stunning villas and beautiful gardens. Many are unaware that he designed several works in the Detroit area besides the Alger estate (The Moorings). Most of his residential works were in the Italian Renaissance Style. His initial projects in Detroit were through his relationship with Charles Lang Freer. He met Freer in Cornish, New Hampshire through famed Tonalist painter Thomas W. Dewing. Hecker already had a good relationship with the “New York gang” of Stanford White. Platt simply added to the mix. Freer first commissioned Platt in the summer of 1897 to create a plan for the development of farmland. It was to have 300 lots along with a private club and central parkland. It was to be one of the finest residential developments in the country. The project would have also has a casino pavilion, basins, and malls (not shopping malls). Hecker’s fortune took a blow during 1898 and the plan was put on hold. The project was called LaSalle Gardens South and it was supposedly “south” of Detroit. Had LaSalle gardens South been completed, Detroit would look much different than it does today. -Freer supplied the grading and planting plan for Colonel Hecker’s mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery. The tomb itself was designed by Stanford White. -In 1902, Freer commissioned Platt to design a verandah and later, a garden. Albert Kahn oversaw this project. The walled fountain was Freer’s personal gift to the club. -In 1907 Platt was commissioned to design a home in Indian Village for Allen F. Edwards. It is listed at 776 Seminole Avenue. -In 1927, Platt was once again hired by Allen Edwards to design a mansion at 99 Lothrop, in Grosse Pointe Farms. The project cost roughly $2 million and Platt brought it Ellen Shipman for the landscaping. Other Michigan connections include the Freer Gallery in DC, and the McMillan Memorial Fountain/Park in DC. A statue was commissioned for the project by famed sculptor Herbert Adams. Please not that the park was redeveloped when the reservoir was enlarged and the statue is now in storage. -Platt also designed the Clark Lombard Ring estate in Saginaw. It is now the Saginaw Art Museum. Charles Platt biography Saginaw Art Museum Great book on Platt JSTOR Article (subscription). Link to AIW’s great site w/ pic Freer Gallery Rockefeller Estate Roosevelt Mansion |
Patrick Member Username: Patrick
Post Number: 4335 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 3:17 pm: | |
I also read that he may have done work in Ontario, but I cannot verify this. |
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba
Post Number: 5298 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 4:02 pm: | |
Wonderful Patrick. Some real scholarship here. jjaba adds that Charles Platt designed the Platt Gardens, overlooking Boise, Idaho from the Union Pacific RR Station done in 1925, also by Platt. Thanks. jjaba. |
Neilr Member Username: Neilr
Post Number: 498 Registered: 06-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 4:08 pm: | |
As a part of their American Architect Series, Acanthus Press published The Architecture of Charles A. Platt. I have not gotten it yet; but every book in the series that I do have is first rate. One of my favorite apartments by Platt is The Astor Court on Broadway and 90th Street, NYC. The building is especially know for its very large, very grand, intact cornice.
www.cityrealty.com (Message edited by Neilr on May 02, 2007) |
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba
Post Number: 5299 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 4:08 pm: | |
Charles Platt designed the University of Illinois campus where jjaba was on faculty. He also designed the 1925 Union Pacific RR Station and Platt Gardens, overlooking Boise, Idaho. jjaba. |
Durango Member Username: Durango
Post Number: 13 Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 4:19 pm: | |
Jjaba, The University of Illinois is a beautiful Land-Grant Institutions. When I worked for Monsanto we frequently recruited student there to work for us as interns and full-time employees. What haven't you done in your lifetime, Jjaba? Durango, formerly Westside, now further west in Colorado. |
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba
Post Number: 5301 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 4:29 pm: | |
jjaba has never been in outer space. Durango, thanks for the props and welcome to The Forum. Right now, the Illinois Redbud trees on campus are alive with lush red color. Illinois has a very strict rule against chaining bikes to trees. Illi-cops can cut Kryptonite in 15 seconds. After you plea to the Judicial Council, pay your fine, you might get your bike back. jjaba, Westside Bar Mitzvah Bukkor. |
Neilr Member Username: Neilr
Post Number: 499 Registered: 06-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 8:56 pm: | |
Another of my favorite Charles Platt apartment buildings is 120 East End Avenue at East 85th Street. It has only 3 apartments on most floors. Some floors have fewer. The top floor was designed for the building's owner, Vincent Astor. It has 17 rooms, 6.5 baths, and several terraces. One nice feature of this particular apartment is that the master suite has separate his & hers baths and each bath has its own terrace. This apartment came up for sale in 2000. The asking price was $20,000,000. As in my previous post, the photo is from cityrealty.com.
|
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba
Post Number: 5304 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 1:24 am: | |
Thanks Neilr, great photo and description. jjaba. |
|