Detroit Architects: Crombie & Stanton

Crombie & Stanton was an architectural firm that helped set the tone of some of Detroit’s most beloved streetscapes in upper-class enclaves like Indian Village.

While not as well-known as some of their contemporaries, the firm’s founders, architects Henry F. Stanton and Charles Crombie, quickly attracted the attention of the era’s upwardly mobile residents thanks to their high-style domestic architecture that conveyed wealth and cultural refinement.

Their contributions showcase early Detroit’s commitment to exclusivity, particularly the Crombie & Stanton-designed J. Frazer Whitehead House at 2474 Seminole.

This residence is a perfect embodiment of Crombie & Stanton’s approach: confident architectural expression without excessive ornament, a strong sense of symmetry, and the long-lasting workmanship expected of homes commissioned for Detroit’s upwardly mobile leadership class in the city’s most distinguished historic communities.