1350 Wellesley Drive
Built in 1928, 1350 Wellesley stands as one of the grandest English Tudors in Detroit, a signature creation of acclaimed architect Wallace Frost. Known for his distinctive residential designs, Frost infused the home with hallmark features such as slate roofing, multiple chimneys, intricate arched doorways, and elegant variations in ceiling heights and window sizes that flow throughout the space. But what makes this home particularly remarkable is its innovative use of reinforced concrete and steel beam construction—a technique rarely seen in residential buildings of the time.
This construction feat was possible due to the expertise of Maurice Goldenberg, the original homeowner, who was the Michigan branch manager for TRUSCON Steel. TRUSCON, founded by Albert Kahn’s brother Julius Kahn, supplied reinforced concrete systems for many of Albert Kahn’s large industrial and residential projects. As such, the first floor of the house at 1350 Wellesley was built entirely with steel I-beams and reinforced concrete, making the structure exceptionally durable. The walls themselves are substantial, with the exterior walls measuring 24 inches thick and interior walls at 18 inches.
Maurice lived in the home with his wife Sophie and their daughter Jean. Following Jean’s marriage in 1932 to Dr. Harold Rattner, the newlyweds moved into the house during the Great Depression to live with her parents. Sophie passed away around 1934, but Maurice remained in the house until his death in 1957. The Rattner family continued to reside there with their growing family—adding daughters Mary, Nancy, and Susan. Both Mary and Nancy were married in the home, in 1954 and 1967 respectively. The home was eventually sold to Stanley Wasserman in 1971.
Also residing in the house during the 1940s were two live-in maids, Lucy Lefevre and Dori John, a testament to the home’s generous size and status. In total, the house originally cost $50,000 to build—a considerable sum in its day—and offers nearly 6,000 feet of living space.
The gardens of 1350 Wellesley are nearly as storied as the home itself. Designed by noted Grosse Pointe horticulturist James Burford, the original garden plan included nearly half a dozen separate garden rooms, each with its own palette of perennials, shrubs, and seasonal bulbs. Despite the passage of nearly a century, much of Burford’s original layout remains. Current owners have lovingly restored and replanted the grounds, enhancing the gardens with thoughtful touches like custom lighting, restored iron gazebos, and beds bursting with lilies, clematis, hosta, hydrangeas, and even black-eyed Susans.
From its architectural pedigree to its deeply rooted family history and expertly designed gardens, 1350 Wellesley is a rare jewel—a fusion of early 20th-century innovation, design integrity, and personal legacy.