The real estate market is hot all across the country, with buyers competing for the meager inventory available on the market. Now, this inventory is growing, as Deeplands Lane, the first subdivision to be built in 40 years in the area, has broken ground in the Village of Grosse Pointe Shores. Since these homes will be custom built on the lot of their choosing, buyers will be able to move into the exact home they want instead of having to buy what’s already been designed and built according to someone else’s tastes and lifestyle.
“The builder and the architect will sit down with you and design your house from the ground up,” says Gary Patrosso, an associate broker and partner at Real Estate in The Pointes, and a director on the Grosse Pointe Board of Realtors.
“So, if you want a certain size walk-in closet in your master bedroom, or a first floor master, you can have that,” he says. “Or maybe vaulted ceilings or a fireplace. And they can build whatever kind of patio you want, and even do a built-in barbecue. You can have an outdoor kitchen, a swimming pool, or a two, three, or four car garage.”
This subdivision is unique for that reason, adds Gary, since most of the time people have three or four models, or houses, from which to choose. But with those, a particular buyer may not like the size of the bathrooms or may not like the closet sizes, or the kitchen, or so on.
Lots range in price from $340,000 to $440,000, and then a budget is worked out with the builder and architect for the home and grounds. Buyers of other properties might find themselves spending the same amount after renovating and updating an older home, but then they’re still not getting exactly what they want. Plus, with a brand new home, they won’t have to worry about any major projects for many years to come.
This summer, there will be a model home on site to give potential buyers an idea of the quality of the work and to show some of the options available. Once they choose a lot and figure out a budget, work can begin. Along with a housing budget, they will also work within a landscaping budget so the surroundings of the home will be just as beautiful as the inside.
Deeplands Lane consists of a total of 16 large lots on two cul de sacs. The property is in close proximity to Lake St. Clair, world-class schools, gourmet restaurants, and within walking distance to a yacht club and a new equestrian center. The George Osius Municipal Park, with its world-class tennis courts, outdoor swimming pool, splash pad, playground, and waterfront, is also close by.
To see an actual aerial view of the property and the surrounding area, Deeplands Development Company has actually put together a video, which can be found on the Deeplands Lane website at https://deeplands.com/location/. Buyers can also get a good idea of just how close beautiful Lake St. Clair is to the new development.
“We’re also a stone’s throw from downtown Detroit,” says Gary. “You can get to a hockey game or a baseball game in 20 minutes.”
Gary, who was born and raised in Grosse Pointe Woods, still lives there with his wife and real estate partner, Jeannie. They have also raised their twin daughters there. More often than not, people around town call him Mr. GP (it’s even on his license plate.) “I played Little League football and the coach called me Mr. GP. It kind of stuck.”
He’s excited to be involved in this project since he knows the builder, Rich Russell, of The Russell Company, very well, and is confident that these homes, like the others the company has built over the past 23 years, will be of the highest quality. The Russell Company is the largest builder of homes in Grosse Pointe, and only the finest materials and workmanship go into every home Rich puts his name on.
“We built our reputation on the quality of the homes we build,” says Rich. “Quality can mean a lot of different things to different people. Some people will look at a home and think, ‘Is it the type of window you put in, or is it the type of countertop?’ People might say, ‘That’s really pretty hardware in your bathroom; that’s good quality.’ And that’s true, but quality also means, ‘How was the home put together? Can you see through the paint to the drywall, or are the walls straight, literally? Is the crown molding all one piece, do the doors hang properly so they don’t close on their own because the house is crooked?’ That’s quality of construction. It’s not only the material you put into the home, but also how it is applied.”
He has project managers ensuring that everything is done correctly, and he’s worked with most of these contractors for years, so they know him, he knows them, and they all work well together. The quality is carefully overseen from beginning to end by Rich, who is always keeping an eye on each home’s progress.
“The state of Michigan requires all builders to give a one-year home warranty, and Rich always gives a two-year warranty,” says Gary. “That's huge, because it could be a year and a half and a crack forms in the ceiling or something. He'll come out and he'll take care of it.”
“I give a two year because in the first year nothing really goes wrong,” says Rich. “When you buy a home from us, you’re buying a maintenance-free home for the first five to 10 years, and one that is going to hold up in Michigan for many years.”
And of course, all the manufacturers warranties will be in place for the cabinets, windows, HVAC systems, and other fixtures and appliances.
Deeplands Development Team and The Russell Company have chosen a team of professionals including a dynamic architect, experienced home designers, and trusted suppliers who are ready to assist buyers in making their dream homes a place where they won’t want to leave. Having this team already in place is a huge timesaver for buyers and will make the entire process seamless and efficient.
“We try to find the best people and that takes extra effort, but when you move into a home we build, you have a nice home,” says Rich.
The architect, Brian Neeper, of Brian Neeper Architecture P.C. is someone else Rich has worked with many times before on several projects. After working for over 20 years with other premier residential architects in the state, Brian opened his own company in 2016. However, if buyers want to bring in their own architect, that’s an option as well.
The other unique thing about Deeplands Lane, according to its website, is that it’s the only development in Grosse Pointe that includes a stormwater infrastructure. This consists of an underground system that holds and filters water in order to keep the surrounding rivers and water supply clean. It also helps reduce flooding.
The land that these homes is being built on has a long history in Grosse Pointe. It’s part of the original Stackpole estate, which included a mansion built in 1911, and 1,200 feet of lakefront property. Soon after World War II, the mansion itself was demolished, and according to the Grosse Pointe Historical Society, by the early 1950s, most of the land was sold for housing. The remaining eight acres stayed in the family until 2014, when Stephen Stackpole, who was living in a more modest mansion built on the property in 1941, passed away. His grandfather, Russell Alger, Jr., was the cofounder of Packard Motor Car Company, and his great-grandfather, Russell Alger Sr., was a former state governor and U.S. senator.
Of course, COVID-19 slowed the project down a bit, but now they’re back on track.
“We listed these properties right before the pandemic, and then Michigan was shut down completely.” says Gary. “But things are coming back to normal. Real estate is hot here.”
Everyone involved in the project expects the lots to sell out quickly thanks to interest rates being at a record low.
If someone is interested in purchasing one of the lots and building a home in this innovative and modern new development, the Deeplands process is well laid out and easy to understand:
1. Select and reserve the perfect lot.
2. Determine an approved budget with The Russell Company.
3. Sit down with the architect to design your new home.
4. Break ground on your Deeplands lot.
5. Begin construction of your dream home.
6. Work with a landscape architect for the best look that complements your home and lot.
Contact Gary and/or Jeannie to get started on building your dream home. By this time next year, you’ll be enjoying all it has to offer.
Real Estate In The Pointes is located at 18472 Mack Ave in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236; Office: (313) 886-1000; Gary's Cell: (313) 770-0359; Jeannie's Cell: (313) 770-0358.