Fair Lane
Window Restoration
Historical Background
The estate is located on 1,300 acres along the River Rouge including a large 31,000 square foot limestone main house, an electrical power plant and garage, a greenhouse, a boathouse, riding stables and extensive landmark gardens designed by Chicago landscape architect Jens Jensen. Frank Lloyd Wright was initially commissioned to design the estate, but after Wright fled to Europe with his mistress, associate Marion Mahony Griffin, one of the first female architects in America, completed the design. When Henry Ford and his wife returned from a trip to Europe, William VanTine was hired to revise the plans to add English Manor details. In 1913, architect Joseph Nathaniel French was brought in to work on the final stages. The construction moved forward and was completed in 1915. The final construction included an indoor swimming pool, horse barn and boat house.
BlackBerry's Role
-
BlackBerry provided on-site review of all window openings, evaluating existing conditions, and confirming the restoration and abatement work plan to comply with the project's specification.
-
BlackBerry conducted a project walk thru with the construction management team to formalize the on-site work methodology and schedule.
- Our work scope included component removal and abatement of all windows, field restoration of all master frames, and shop restoration of all sashes and hardware. All windows were fully restored including new glazing.
Current Use
The residence and part of the orginal estate grounds are open to the public as a historical landscape and house museum. The estate was donated to the University of Michigan in 1957 for a new Dearborn Campus. The main house, powerhouse, gardeners cottage, and 72 acres were operated as a museum; the rest of the property is now home to the campus of U of M Dearborn.
In 2010, the University closed Fair Lane to the public. In 2013 the stewardship of the estate was transferred to the same non-profit group that operates the lakeside Edsel and Eleanor Ford house, with financial help from the Ford Family. The estate grounds were reopened as a museum and are currently active with visitors throughout the year. The powerhouse still houses a hydro powered turbine that was originally designed and installed by Thomas Edison. Edison was a longtime friend and associate of Henry Ford, the turbine provided electric power to the entire estate as well as the town of Dearborn.
Project Team
- Owner: Ford Motor Land Development Company
- Architect: The Smith Group
- Construction Manager: The Christman Company
- Completed 2025
