Eye candy of the week

Property: 533 S. Grand Ave., Lansing

This building, which marks the west entrance to the Cherry Hill Historic District, is associated with two historically significant individuals. The first, Alvin Whitehead, was a local merchant who constructed this elaborate yellow brick home in 1877. Later, the home was owned by James Seager, a partner in the Ransom E. Olds Motor Co. At the beginning of the 20th century, Seager Engine Works was the principal supplier of engines in the Lansing area.

The building is listed as a Michigan State Historic Site, both for its connection to these notable individuals and for the architectural beauty of the building itself, which is executed in the romantic Italianate style. The large asymmetrical front elevation is carefully partitioned into smaller divisions that create vertical emphasis. Double hung windows are particularly narrow, with high lintels and low sills. Multi-colored porch columns are slender and tall, providing a lofty ceiling for the wide front porch. The two-story window bay to south is topped by a clipped gable and hammer-truss bargeboards.

Visitors are directed to other superb features high on the walls and roof, including carved stone window hoods and painted The chimneys, in particular, exhibit an unusual complexity of brick detail.

“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 Berl Schwartz at 999-5061.