Alpheus Williams Chittenden was born in Detroit on Feb. 24, 1869 to William J. and Irene (Williams) Chittenden. He graduated from Detroit High School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and he also attended the Hochschule in Charlottenburg, Germany. He entered the architectural practice in his late 20s, beginning practice in Detroit in 1898. One of his first jobs was the cafe of the Russell House, a Detroit institution. In 1903, he teamed up with Charles Kotting to form the firm Chittenden & Kotting. The pair did mostly residential work in Detroit, including a number of prestigious homes in Indian Village and the Grosse Pointes. The firm also did a number of Detroit firehouses. Chittenden is credited with the Detroit Boat Club on Belle Isle and the Detroit Stove Works plant. Chittenden died May 3, 1958. He was 89 years old.

Alpheus Williams Chittenden was born in a house at 70 Fort St. in Detroit, where the Theodore J. Levin U.S. Courthouse stands today, on Feb. 24, 1869, to William J. and Irene Williams Chittenden. He was a grandson of Gen. Alpheus Starkey Williams, who served in the Civil War, was later a congressman, and was a founder of the Detroit Boat Club.

Alpheus, also known as “Alf” when he was younger, was the second child of five. The family spent much of their summers in their summer home at the end of Nosegay Lane on Sankaty Bluff in Siasconset, Nantucket, Mass. He graduated from Detroit High School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the late 1880s.

On July 6, 1889, Chittenden sailed from Boston to Europe to attend the Technische Hochschule Charlottenburg in Charlottenburg, Germany, near Berlin. The school is known today as the Technische Universität Berlin, or the Technical University of Berlin. He spent two years traveling Europe for his studies, gaining inspiration that would later influence his work.

Chittenden left Germany on June 24, 1891, on the German Lloyd steamer Havel. The Free Press reported upon his return that, after his two years studying abroad, Chittenden was “making fine progress and showing that he had chosen wisely in his calling.”

He began his architectural practice in his late 20s, officially beginning his practice in Detroit in 1898, however, his earliest known commission was an 1895 addition of a cafe inside the Russell House, of which his father, William Chittenden, was the proprietor.

William Chittenden had been the proprietor at the Russell House since 1864. In July 1895, he had bought out the interest of his business partner, L.A. McCreary, when McCreary wished to retire. Chittenden announced that he would make $50,000 worth of improvements to the building, making arrangements with the Clark estate, owners of the property, which called for the building to be entirely remodeled into an “essentially modern hotel.” Improvements included a new steam heating system, complete electric plant, additional bathrooms, and a cafe along Cadillac Square. The interior would be redecorated “in an artistic manner.”

The Clark estate was impressed by the young Chittenden’s design and execution of the new cafe, which would lead to his next major commission.

On Oct. 7, 1897, a massive fire ripped through the old Detroit Opera House, located on Campus Martius. The Opera House, like the Russell House, was owned by the Clark estate.

Just under two weeks after the fire, the Clark estate announced that they had selected Alpheus Chittenden to design the interior of the new Opera House, well over a month and a half before the architects had been chosen for the rest of the building’s design. The famed Detroit firm of Mason & Rice was selected to design the exterior and office portion of the building and well-known theatre architect Col. J. M. Wood of Newark, New Jersey designed the interior floor plans and structure.

The interiors were designed in a Francis I style, the designs of which were “strictly original.” Chittenden used “exquisite color combinations,” with the auditorium featuring tapestried chairs in a brilliant red, contrasting a plain French grey drop curtain with red fleur de lis that was made of asbestos for added fireproofing. The lobby and entrance was lined in a dull green tile with green leather doors.

These early interior designs of Chittenden resonated with Detroiters, leading to many of his early commissions. Of his early work, well over half of his commissions were solely interior designs and remodels. These included the remodel of the Grosse Pointe Club for the Country Club of Detroit (1898), the mayor’s office in the Old City Hall (1898), a remodel of the Detroit Club (1899), along with several storefronts.

His earliest known commission to design a building was in 1899, when Mrs. Mary G. Harris hired him to design her a home at 771 Seminole in Detroit’s Indian Village neighborhood.

In 1901, he was awarded perhaps his best known standing commission: the new clubhouse for the Detroit Boat Club on Belle Isle. The structure would be completed in 1902.

He also designed homes in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, and Grosse Pointe.

After working on his own for seven years, Chittenden teamed up with local architect Charles Kotting in 1903 to form Chittenden & Kotting. The duo would design roughly 80 known projects together over the course of their 14-year partnership, moving between offices in the Ford, Dime and Penobscot buildings. They stuck to mostly residential design, with the majority of their commissions being in Indian Village, however, they also designed several homes in Boston Edison, Grosse Pointe and Bloomfield Hills.

The Detroit Fire Department tapped them to design a series of firehouses, which Charles Kotting would continue to design after the firm was dissolved in 1917. The duo also designed the clubhouse for the Bloomfield Hills Country Club in 1915, which was said to have been the largest clubhouse in the state. Among their few industrial commissions was the Wayne Automobile Co. plant on Piquette (1905-1906) and several additions to the Detroit Stove Works. One of their last known commissions was a farm house for Detroiter Emory W. Clark on a property he purchased in Pontiac, which was constructed between 1917 and 1918.

Chittenden lived with his family at 70 W. Fort St. until the house was purchased in the mid-1880s in order to make way for the construction of the Federal Building. The family then moved several blocks away, to a home at 134 W. Fort St. By 1909, Chittenden had constructed a large 15-room home on a 40-acre plot off Woodward Avenue in Bloomfield Hills named Brae Burn.

He was the secretary for the Michigan Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for several years. He was also a member of the Architectural League of America, Detroit Chamber of Commerce, Detroit Club, Detroit Boat Club, Country Club of Detroit, Detroit Athletic Club, University Club and the Drama League of America.

In late February 1917, Chittenden joined his sister Mary and her husband, William T. Barbour, on a trip to Colorado Springs, Colo. He soon purchased a house in the city’s Broadmoor neighborhood and originally planned to stay there for the winter, but ended up moving there permanently for the rest of his life. His sister, Minnie Chittenden Newman, moved in with him in 1924, living with him up until a few months before she died in 1929 at the age of 58. His nephew Henry Newman III also lived with him from time to time. Until 1923, he still owned his home in Bloomfield Hills, staying there when he came to visit Detroit or renting it out as a summer home to other Detroiters. In May 1923, he sold Brae Burn to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Hunter. The home would eventually be demolished for a senior living center in the early 1960s. He frequently visited his family in Detroit, often spending weeks or months at a time in the city.

He traveled a lot after he left Detroit, visiting Egypt in 1928. In Colorado Springs, he was active with the arts, helping with exhibitions at their Art Center. He was also an active parishioner at Grace Church in Colorado Springs. It is believed that he stopped practicing as an architect in 1917.

Chittenden never married. He died in Colorado Springs on May 3, 1958, at the age of 89. He was buried with his family in Detroit’s Woodlawn Cemetery, and was survived by his sister, Mary Chittenden Barbour, and several nieces and nephews.

KNOWN PROJECT LIST

1895-1897 Russell House Cafe - William J. Chittenden, Proprietor; Clark Estate, owners.

1897-1898 Detroit Opera House (Interior decoration) - Clark Estate

1898 Sets for Comedy Club’s production of “Alabama”

1898 Country Club of Detroit, remodel of interior of former Grosse Pointe Clubhouse.

1898 Lucien Moore Home (1885) bathroom remodel - Mrs. Lucien Moore, for her son.

1898 Detroit City Hall Mayor’s Office remodel

1899 Detroit Club remodel, redecorating, roof garden

1899-1900 771 Seminole - Mrs. Mary G. Harris (wife of Bishop Samuel S. Harris)

1899 Citizens Savings Bank Banking Offices

1900 Stable for Dyar Estate, Grosse Pointe

1900 Zeta Psi Fraternity(B. 1861) interior decorating, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

1900 Knights Templar Hall, Masonic Temple, interior decorating

1900 University Club Rooms, Walker Building (Fort & Griswold), Interior decorating

1901 Summer Residence - A. B. du Pont, Grosse Pointe Farms

1901 Wright, Kay & Co. enlargement / Interior design

1901 77/427 Woodward Avenue - Queen Anne Soap Co. remodel and modernizing

1901 Ralph M. Byar Residence, Jefferson Avenue, Grosse Pointe Farms

1901 217/1421 Woodward Avenue, Picard & Picard Interior decorating

1901-1902 Detroit Boat Club

1902 8109 E. Jefferson Ave - Frederick K. Stearns Residence

1902-1903 749 Seminole - Harry C. Buckley

1903 1437 Washtenaw Avenue, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity House, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

1903-1904 8192 E. Jefferson Ave - John B. Ford Jr. Moved to 15520 Windmill Pointe Drive, 1928.

1903-1904 Parsonage for St. Phillip’s Mission, Mack & McDougall

1904 39315 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills - William T. Barbour Residence

1904 Detroit Opera House Renovation / Redecoration (Chittenden & Kotting)

1905 Masonic Temple Redecoration (Chittenden & Kotting)

1905 484 E. Grand Blvd. - Julius Haass Residence (Chittenden & Kotting)

1906 Swan Cafe Remodel (Chittenden & Kotting)

1912 Alpheus Starkey Williams statue pedestal, Belle Isle (statue by W. M. Shrady) (Chittenden & Kotting)

CHITTENDEN & KOTTING work list

1903-1917

1904 Detroit Stove Works Office Building

1904-1905 8311 E. Jefferson Ave. - Edwin H. Nelson Residence

1905 140 Atkinson - Mrs. Charles A. Wade Residence

1905 703? Seyburn - D. W. Smith Residence

1905 873 Iroquois - Dr. Charles H. Judd Residence

1905 420-450 (around 4430) Maybury Grand Avenue - Hayes Manufacturing Co.

1905 1091 Burns, Walter Brooks Residence

1905-1906 790 Seminole, William S. Conant Residence

1905-1906 1073 Seminole - Mrs. Sophie Breisacher Residence

1905-1906 301 Piquette, Wayne Automobile Co.

1905-1906 SW corner of Trombley and Brush, brick factory building.

1906 Wayne County Savings Bank Remodel

1907 W. B. Wesson Residence, just of Jefferson on Seyburn

1907-1909 1771 Seminole - Bingley R. Fales Residence

1907 1609 Biddle, Wyandotte - Michigan Alkali Company Administration Building

1907-1908 6-story building for Daniel J. Healy, Broadway & John R.

1908 1697 W. Grand Blvd. - Engine #31, Detroit Fire Department

1908 108/282 Ferry - D. E. Robson Residence

1908 391/1221? Beaufait - J. C. Kruse Residence

1908 224-230/1428-1448 Woodward - 6-story block for Daniel J. Healy

1909 216/1416 Woodward (Singer Building) - remodel for Kuhn’s Confectionary and Hickey’s Clothing

1909 Garage for Charles A. Ducharme Estate, Grosse Pointe

1909 Larned, Carter & Co. Addition, Eighth Street and Howard

1909-1910 176/762 Seminole - Henry A. Haigh Residence

1909 11740 E. Jefferson - Engine #32 Detroit Fire Department

1909 35 McKinley Place, Grosse Pointe Farms - David Gray Residence

1909 2301 Center Avenue, Bay City - Frederick W. Bradley Residence

1910 16608 Jefferson, Grosse Pointe - Bertram C. Whitney Residence / Bancroft Manor

1911 339/1465 Montclair - Andrew C. Sisman Residence

1911 1704 Iroquois - Dr. Benjamin R. Schenck Residence

1911 188/866 Iroquois - Brig. Gen. Clinton Goodloe Edgar Residence

1911 108/282 E. Ferry - Addition and Garage for Frank W. Robson Residence

1911-1912 8445 E. Jefferson Ave. Mary E. Smith Residence “Seven Gables”

1911 350 W Long Lake Rd., Bloomfield Hills - Bloomfield Hills Country Club Servant rooms?

1911-1917? 4 Rathbone Place?, Grosse Pointe - Samuel T. Douglass Residence

1911 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit Stove Works addition

1911-1914 16096 Essex, Grosse Pointe - James T. McMillan Residence

1911 700 Parker - Dr. Ernest T. Tappey Residence

1911 700? Parker Ave, auto garage - Dr. Ernest T. Tappey?

1912 Hammond Building - Remodel of basement to be occupied as a cafe for N. B. Sharpe

1912-1913 68/134 Arden Park Blvd. Robert D. Mason Residence

1912-1913 1480 Seminole - Fritz Goebel Residence

1912 101 Chicago Blvd. - Frank D. Craig Residence

1912 71 Delaware St. - Henry F. George Residence

1912-1913 1450 Iroquois - John D. MacKay Residence

1913 NE corner Jefferson & Beniteau - Peoples State Bank Branch #3

1913 1450 Iroquois garage - John D. MacKay Residence

1913 16900 E. Jefferson, Grosse Pointe - Frank Hubbard Residence

1913 17805 E. Jefferson, Grosse Pointe - W. Howie Muir Residence

1913 Cass between Jones and Bagley (House 133? Grand River) - Garage for E. J. Ryan

1913-1914 7717-7747 E. Jefferson, 505-549 Seyburn - Virginia Court Terrace - Daniel W. Smith

1913-1914 Detroit Boat Club addition, Belle Isle

1913-1914 E. Jefferson between Seyburn & Baldwin - Daniel W. Smith Residence

1913-1914 1020 Iroquois - Mrs. Mary Goodloe Edgar Residence & Garage

1913-1914 1476 Burns - Joseph S. Keen Residence

1913-1915 1427 Burns - Rufus W. Clark Residence

1914 James Scott Fountain Proposal

1914 227/1027 Burns (House 1903-04 by D. J. Kennedy & Son) - Garage for L. D. Bolton

1914 8229 Beaubien - Engine #35 Detroit Fire Department

1914 - 421 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms - J. Brooks Nichols Residence

1914 Seyburn near E. Jefferson - Garage for Daniel W. Smith

1914-1915 1113 Coplin - Engine #38 Detroit Fire Department

1914-1915 1750 Iroquois - Standish Backus Residence

1914-1915 700 W. Boston Blvd - Walter O. Briggs Residence

1915 43 McKinley Place, Grosse Pointe - Dr. Ernest T. Tappey Residence

1915 1014 Bishop, Grosse Pointe Park - Harry C. Walker Residence

1915 393 Washington, Grosse Pointe - Joel L. Stockard Residence

1915 1700/8125 E. Jefferson Ave. - Garage and dwelling

1915 235 E. Elizabeth - for L. C. Stanton

1915 1025 E. Grand Blvd. - Richard H. Nette Residence

1915 350 W Long Lake Rd., Bloomfield Hills - Bloomfield Hills Country Club

1916 536?/2938? Hastings between Wilkins and Alley - 2-story brick stores and flats - Richard H. Nette

1916 8986 Grand River - Engine #42 Detroit Fire Department

1916 1401 Taylor - Engine #39 Detroit Fire Department

1916 16096 Essex, Grosse Pointe - Garage for James T. McMillan Residence

1916 254/1118 Seyburn - Addition

1916 Devonshire, Grosse Pointe Park - A. W. Wallace Residence

1916 155 Chicago Blvd - Eugene H. Sloman Residence

1916 1736 Seyburn

1916 114 Putnam - Studio addition to Frank Scott Clark Residence

1916-1918 281 University Pl., Grosse Pointe - Harold Palmer Residence and garage

1917 676 Chicago Blvd. - Mrs. Rosa Vinton Residence

1917 16096 Essex, Grosse Pointe - addition and alterations for James T. McMillan Residence

1917 980/3238? E. Jefferson Ave. - two-story public garage - George V. N. Lothrop

1917 676 Chicago Blvd. - garage for Mrs. Rosa Vinton Residence

1917-1918 Pontiac - Farm house for Emory W. Clark