Grosse Pointe, Michigan

If you could take just one photo: The Opulent, Gingerbread-Esque Mansions

The mansions of Lakeshore Drive that overlook Lake St. Claire are nothing short of magical. All the houses of Grosse Pointe could be straight from a storybook, and during Christmas time, the isicles and sheen of ice and snow merely add to the effect. Kercheval Street is especially nostalgic, and it is reminiscent of a setting from another era entirely; one that we all yearn to experience inside.

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At the turn of the 20th century, the communities of Grosse Pointe were home to many of the wealthiest families in Detroit. And today, the Pointes are a showcase for some of the most impressive homes in the area. But they're just a half mile or so from ramshackle buildings in Detroit, and form a clear line separating the haves and the have-nots. Multi-story mansions rise from the shores of Lake St. Clair, their opulent rooms visible through floor to ceiling windows, their guesthouses and tennis courts standing in their shadows. Cruise along Lakeshore Drive, marveling at the majestic homes on one side and the shimmering lake on the other. While the neighborhood is idyllic, its proximity to one of Detroit’s most unattractive areas makes it is a stark and painful reminder of the disparity between the city’s richest and poorest residents.

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