st paul: Minnesota Boy Choir at Landmark Center... two Minnesota treasures
- 01/24/17 09:04 AM
Minnesota Boy Choir at Landmark Center... two Minnesota treasures Landmark Center is one of the most distinctive buildings in St. Paul, and its setting on Rice Park contributes to its sense of history. It started its life as the Federal Court House and Post Office for the Upper Midwest when it was built 1892-1902. Thank goodness a group of concerned citizen saved it from the wrecking ball in 1972 and restored it to its former grandeur. It now serves as a historic cultural center for music, dance, theater, exhibitions, public forums and countless special events. One of those special events took place … (0 comments)
st paul: Union Depot: a Beautiful, Functional Mixed-Use Model for the Future
- 01/14/15 08:29 AM
I’ve always had a thing for trains, as I mentioned in an earlier post (see related: National Train Day/Opening of the Green Line). I don’t really know where it started, though I suspect that it began, as it does for many while traveling in large foreign cities where rail transport is as normal as snow in winter in Minnesota. There is something about a train, though, that gives you a glimpse of a different side of life, one not seen from the road. It’s more rural, less edited. Rails cut a swath through the terrain in a way that’s different than a … (0 comments)
st paul: Are you ready for a picnic?
- 05/28/14 11:14 AM
Summer weather might actually come before the solstice here in the Twin Cities. After a rough winter most of us will truly revel in the sunny skies that are sure to be here soon. Sunday afternoon picnics with the family will be fabulous and there are many, many, many places to do that. In fact, Minneapolis was named the best city park system in the countryfor 2013... in fact, 94% of residents are within a 10-minute walk of a park! It makes me smile when I think of Highway 100 being not just a highway but a destination where people would go to picnic … (0 comments)
The quieter, more intimate of the Twin Cities has both the charm of the river and the collegiate atmosphere created by multiple colleges and universities. It is hard to resist strolling down Grand Avenue and stopping in the eclectic blend of shops and places to eat, while appreciating the elegant historic homes nearby. However, I think the spot that most exemplifies the romantic atmosphere of St. Paul is Rice Park... one of … (2 comments)
st paul: Discovering Stonebridge... the lost Mac-Groveland estate once considered for the governor's residence
- 05/07/13 10:25 PM
When the listing agent for a home my clients are buying in St. Paul's Macalaster-Groveland neighborhood told me it was once the site of the Minnesota governor's residence it immediately piqued my interest. It is apparent that this particular stretch of Mac-Groveland bordering the Mississipi River is different. The streets are curving rather than straight, and there is a short divided parkway...
... with a round 'island' in the middle of the intersection at the end of the parkway. The houses are in different styles, built at different times including a whole street of mid-century moderns... but all appear to … (0 comments)
st paul: Finding Twin Cities homes for sale close to trails
- 04/27/13 11:57 PM
Not only is Minnesota nationally recognized as a bike friendly and best trails state, Minneapolis has been named the most bike friendly city... but how do you find Twin Cities homes for sale near trails? Unfortunately, it's not as easy as I wish it was, but the Google maps bicycle trails layer can be a big help. Looking at the map below, the green lines are bike trails. There are a lot of them throughout the metro, but you can see they are more concentrated in certain areas and lacking in others which can give you an idea of areas … (0 comments)
st paul: Crocus Hill... St. Paul's historic Grand Avenue neighborhood
- 04/18/13 11:09 PM
When Twin Cities residents think of Crocus Hill they usually think of beautiful mansions and stately historic homes in the area surrounding Grand Avenue, the 'grand' small town street lined with quaint shops, restaurants and businesses that makes this neighborhood so walkable.
You can find different definitions of the boundaries of the Crocus Hill neighborhood, but most people think of it as the area between Summit Avenue on north (the longest stretch of mansions on a single road in the US) and St. Clair Avenue on the south... between Lexington and the Grand Avenue hill that descends towards downtown St. … (2 comments)
st paul: Kids can craft gifts for loved ones alongside Santa and his reindeer... free at Landmark Center on Sunday, December 9
- 12/01/12 10:19 PM
Looking for a free family holiday outing? Next Sunday, December 9, 2012 kids can not only visit Santa and his reindeer with excellent photo ops... they can also craft their own handmade gifts to give to loved ones at Santa's Workshop event at 1:00 pm in historic Landmark Center on Rice Park in downtown St. Paul. Bring along your ice skates and you can also go skating while you are there!
When we were there yesterday they were hosting a holiday bazaar in the dramatic light-filled atrium. It seems only fitting that next week children will have the opportunity to … (5 comments)
st paul: Art at Ramsey... part of St. Paul's Grand Meander on December 1, 2012
- 11/24/12 10:50 PM
St. Paul's Grand Meander on Saturday, December 1st is a great way to kick off the December holiday season and celebrate community, buy local and support our local fine artists. This daylong celebration along St. Paul's Grand Avenue includes breakfast with Santa, fire truck rides, Santa's reindeer, soup samplings and voting for the People's Choice Winner, musicians meadering the avenue and the annual tree lighting ceremony at 5:00. Also wander the streets of Tangletown and experience open studios of local artists. Click here for Grand Meander event details. ART AT RAMSEY, a Juried Holiday Art Fair of quality fine crafts and … (0 comments)
st paul: Antiques, beer and Juicy Blucys in St. Paul's Merriam Park
- 08/20/12 11:05 PM
There were antiques at the St. Paul corner of Selby and Fairview before the Blue Door Pub brought throngs of people to revel in their fine selection of tap beers and famous Juicy Blucys, all 10 varieties! Now it's nice to be able to browse the antique stores while waiting for a table at the cozy Blue Door... no reservations taken.
Are you scratching your head and wondering... 'Juicy Blucy'??? Juicy Lucys are a Minneapolis-St. Paul hamburger phenomenon that come in different varieties on both sides of the river. Matt's Bar and the 5-8 Club, both on Cedar Avenue in … (3 comments)
st paul: Market momentum continues... it's a seller's market
- 05/11/12 12:17 AM
April market stats show more positive signs that the real estate market is stabilizing. Homes are selling faster and for closer to list price. With busy buyers and the lowest inventory for any month since January 2004 we have a seller's market, with a 4.6 month supply of inventory.
Traditional sales were up 58.8% compared to this time last year while foreclosures were down 8.1%, helping the median sale price up to $163,000 and showing the largest year-over-year increase since January 2004.
Pending sales, the leading indicator of how the market is doing, have been posting dramatic increases, up … (5 comments)
st paul: Pike Island... a hidden hiking gem at the confluence of the Mississppi and Minnesota Rivers
- 09/26/11 04:42 AM
With fall color season on the way, I couldn't help but think about all the wonderful opportunities we have to take a walk and enjoy the crisp, fall air under trees ablaze with color without even leaving the city. A hidden gem popular with runners and hikers is Pike Island, located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers in Ft. Snelling State Park. I had never hiked it before and decided that yesterday was a perfect day to explore it!
The island is named after Zebulon Pike, who purchased it for the federal government in 1805 as part … (2 comments)
st paul: WA Frost - St. Paul
- 10/05/10 08:09 AM
The first time I visited WA Frost was over 20 years ago, shortly after we moved to the Twin Cities. That was in the days before Internet accessibility, and my family gave me a book of interesting local restaurant menus for Mother's Day with the assignment of choosing the restaurant where I would like to celebrate the day. I chose the patio of WA Frost and have been hooked ever since! This elegant restaurant is housed in a historic turn-of-the century building in St. Paul's Ramsey Hill neighborhood near the St. Paul Cathedral. It features delicious upscale American cuisine, but what makes it such a memorable … (0 comments)
Minnesota Boy Choir at Landmark Center... two Minnesota treasures Landmark Center is one of the most distinctive buildings in St. Paul, and its setting on Rice Park contributes to its sense of history. It started its life as the Federal Court House and Post Office for the Upper Midwest when it was built 1892-1902. Thank goodness a group of concerned citizen saved it from the wrecking ball in 1972 and restored it to its former grandeur. It now serves as a historic cultural center for music, dance, theater, exhibitions, public forums and countless special events.
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