42 Room House in Detroit was Built by a Lumber Barron in 1894

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The residence of David Whitney, Jr., on Woodward Avenue was once described by the Detroit Free Press as "an American palace enjoying the distinction of being the most pretentious modern home in the state and one of the most elaborate houses in the west."

David Whitney, Jr., descended from a line of colonial ancestors who settled in Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1635, came to Detroit in 1857 and assumed charge of the western business of two firms involved in the buying and shipping of lumber and the purchasing of pine lands and logs. For some time these firms ranked with the largest dealers in the country and Whitney had charge of their operations in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, These firms dissolved in the 1870s and thereafter Whitney dealt with investing in pine lands principally in Wisconsin and Michigan. In time he became one of the most extensive lumber operators in the Midwest and ranked with Michigan's millionaires. He was also involved with lake-marine transportation, owning an extensive fleet of steam barges and consorts involved not only in the lumber trade but in the shipment of iron ore from Lake Superior ports to manufacturing and distributing centers on the lower lakes.

He owned large amounts of land in Detroit, was a stockholder and director in many banking institutions and industrial corporations, and owned manufacturing plants connected with the lumber industry. He was also a generous donor to charities.

Complying with his wife's desire to have a more modern residence, Whitney commissioned Gordon W. Lloyd to erect a domicile in the new Romanesque style. Begun in 1890, the house took four years to build. Whitney supposedly spent $400,000 on the house itself, $250,000 on decorations and glazing, and $300,000 on art treasures. The luxurious interior, reminiscent of residences of Napoleonic Paris, included such items as a painted silk-covered ceiling, silks and tapestries on walls, custom-made furniture, and windows by Tiffany's.

Building Description

The house, located on the northwest corner of Woodward and Canfield Avenues, was constructed of jasper brought from South Dakota. The pillars are of polished jasper. Romanesque Revival in style, it rises three stories having 42 rooms, 10 bathrooms, 20 fireplaces, each of a different marble or onyx, 218 windows of stained and leaded glass, installed by Tiffany's of New York and a four-floor elevator.

The grand hall is the largest room in the house, measuring 24 feet by 50 feet. The massive mantel in this room is partially made of Pomplian brick with a bronze clock set in. From this room it is possible to view the grand staircase with its bronze balustrade and newels. A magnificent Tiffany stained glass window illuminates the landing.

The library was described as being "peculiar in shape" having many angles. The mantel, extending from the floor to the ceiling, is composed of massive mahogany columns with carved capitals supporting a broad shelf.

Other interior features include hand-carved woodwork, parquet floors, and carved pillars.

The only major structural change has been the rebuilding of the solarium. Drop lights were hung in the music room. The furnishings are not original, but are representative of the period. The edifice is in excellent condition.

Front of house (1971)

(2007)