Eye candy of the week

Travelers visiting Edinburgh, Scotland, are often overheard asking why the city’s great castle was built so close to the prosaic railroad yard. While the two make a peculiar contrast of majesty and utility, the 12th century castle obviously predates the Victorian Era rail. Likewise, this magnificent building on East St. Joseph Street seems curiously out of place, with its front yard at the intersection of a freeway off-ramp and a deadend street.

However, the landscape looked significantly different when the home was built for Polly and John Kerr in 1854. Located on a south-facing hill, the home overlooked the Red Cedar and Grand rivers. Contrasting its current surroundings, the Kerr home included numerous outbuildings and gardens, supported by Kerr’s dedication to financing continual additions and improvements.

Unlike too many of its former neighbors, this house remained when Interstate 496 was built in the 1960s. Although its surroundings have changed, the Greek Revival home itself remains largely intact. The main entry is located within a majestic portico, emphasized by tall Roman Doric columns. Its basic footprint and flat cornice trim typify the simple building methods in use at the time of its construction. The home was recently renovated and is in the hands of appreciative stewards.

“Eye candy of the Week” is our weekly look at some of the nicer properties in Lansing. It rotates each with Eyesore of the Week. If you have a suggestion, please e-mail eye@lansingcitypulse.com or call Belinda Thurston at 999-5065.