The House
The impeccably designed home of Edsel and Eleanor Ford
A warm, welcoming place for family.
The house at Ford House, known as the Main Residence, isn’t ostentatious or intimidating despite its elegant décor and fine art collection. Instead, the rooms feel intimate and comfortable — a reflection of Eleanor and Edsel Ford’s desire to create a space that was both beautiful and livable. It isn’t just a house — it’s a home.
Designed by prominent architect Albert Kahn, the Main Residence showcases the same craftsmanship and attention to detail found in many of Detroit’s most iconic buildings. Its Cotswold-style architecture, inspired by the storybook cottages of England, gives the home a sense of timeless charm. Eleanor and Edsel Ford moved into their lakeside residence in 1928, where they raised their family and welcomed guests into a home filled with art, warmth, and innovation.
Inside the Main Residence at Ford House, the rooms reflect timeless Western European interior design influences — elegant, inviting, and rich in detail.
Like many families, Eleanor and Edsel Ford updated the house over time to reflect their evolving tastes. In the 1930s, Edsel commissioned renowned industrial designer and Ford Motor Company collaborator Walter Dorwin Teague to reimagine four rooms. Teague introduced sleek, modern concepts rooted in the Machine Age aesthetic, blending innovation with artistry.
Later, in the 1950s, following Edsel’s passing, Eleanor Ford invited her close friend and interior decorator, Polly Jessup, to design new spaces that reflected her personal style. Jessup’s updates showcased Eleanor’s refined eye for fine art and antique furnishings, adding warmth and elegance to the evolving interiors of the house at Ford House.
Around every corner, you can discover world-class art and design pieces collected by art-lovers Edsel and Eleanor. They displayed paintings by Vincent Van Gogh and Diego Rivera – a personal friend of Edsel – classic European portraiture, modern-style sculptures, and ancient Asian and African artifacts.
Quick Facts
- Architects: House and Buildings: Albert Kahn; Landscape: Jens Jensen; Playhouse: Robert O. Derrick
- Architectural Style: Tudor Revival, inspired by the Cotswold region
of Gloucestershire, England - Built: Exterior 1926–1927, Interior 1927–1929. The Fords moved in
September 1928. - Property Size: Currently, 87 acres. Originally, more than 125 acres. Eleanor Ford sold 43 acres of land to the city of Grosse Pointe Woods in 1946 to build a municipal park.
- Main Residence Size: 30,000 square feet; 60 rooms
Take a tour and see the house for yourself.
Friends of Ford House
Joining Has Its Perks!
An annual Friends of Ford House membership is a great way to enjoy all that Ford House has to offer! Enjoy discounted tickets, pre-sale access, exclusive events, discounts on dining and shopping, and more.
