architecture: Historic Witch's Hat Water Tower in Minneapolis
- 08/16/08 03:47 AM
Built in 1913 by the Minneapolis Parks Board, the hill on which the tower stands was purchased in 1906 to increase water pressure to Prospect Park. It occupies the highest natural land area in Minneapolis. City engineer and Norwegian architect Frederick Cappelen designed the structure and gave it some Gothic flair by topping it with a Witch's Hat roof covered in green tile. Easily known as the Witch's Hat Tower, the building stands 107 feet high and grants visitors some amazing views of the Minneapolis skyline and surrounding neighborhoods. When driving east on I-94 from downtown, you can see the … (9 comments)
architecture: Minnesota's Version of a Row House
- 05/04/08 04:36 PM
This weeks feature is not of a home, but of a historic building called Woodland Terrace in St. Paul.Located on Dayton Avenue, the row house was built in 1889, supposedly by B.J. Buechner. They were renovated in the 1980s and updated with new mechanicals, etc. The building really is amazing once you get a closer look. The patterned brickwork and small stone carvings throughout, including the arched entry ways, really make the building "pop". At first glance, the buildings look Richardson Romanesque because of the stone work, but when you look at the gables, balcony design, windows, and roof line, Queen … (11 comments)
architecture: Summit Avenue Historic Home, Saint Paul - #26
- 01/25/08 02:03 AM
This weeks Historic Home in St Paul is 353 Summit Avenue. Built in 1882 for William Dean, the home "only" cost $15,000 to build. Mr. Dean was a partner for the local wholesale hardware firm, Nicols, Dean, and Gregg, and also sat on the Great Northern Railroad board of directors. Little is known about the architect. A photo exists of the home taken in 1895. Designed as a Queen Anne Victorian, it is a great example of half-timbering. Around 1900, the home was altered beyond recognition of its original Queen Anne style. Below is a photo of what the home had looked like … (4 comments)
architecture: Historic Architecture in Minnesota - the Italianate style
- 01/12/08 07:29 AM
To continue with my series on Historic Architecture in Minneapolis and St Paul, some of the most beautiful examples of fine craftsmanship can be found in Italianate homes.ItalianateBuilt between 1840 - 1885The Italianate style is reported to have begun in England as part of the Picturesque movement. Over the years, Italian Villas, as some call them, went from farmhouse informal to formal grandeur. Obviously, as the name infers, Italian architecture from ancient Rome led a helping hand to the popularization of key architectural details.There are many details in the design of Italianate that make it easily identifiable. One of the easiest … (8 comments)
architecture: St Paul Historic Home # 23 - The Witch's House
- 11/14/07 03:17 PM
This weeks showcase Historic Home of St Paul is 629 Summit Avenue.I probably should have posted this during Halloween, but I forgot! Built in 1896, this whimsical home was built for William Kirke and his wife by the famous Clarence Johnston. Johnston is known for having designed over 30 homes on Summit Avenue alone. Another home stood on this site from 1873-1893. The doors are one of a kind and help give it my pet name for the home,"The Witch's House". There is just something mystical about the details in the home. For instance the tower roof looks like a witch's black … (2 comments)
architecture: The Catholic Church of St Peter - the Oldest Parish in Minnesota
- 09/05/07 03:07 PM
The Church of St Peterwas founded in 1840 by Father Lucien Galtier, a priest who was sent by the local Catholic Bishop to care for the settlers and Indian population. He was only 29 at the time, a newly ordained priest, and his territory extended all over Dakota County. Located on the banks of the Minnesota River, the area was originally inhabited by the Dakota (Sioux) Indians. When settlers arrived in the early 1800's, they called the place St Peter. It wasn't until 1852 that the name was changed to Mendota, meaning "meeting of the waters". If you look on a map, … (7 comments)
architecture: A Unique Minneapolis Roof
- 06/20/07 07:57 AM
When driving around some of the historic neighborhoods of Minneapolis, you might notice a unique roof on some of the homes. Rolled roofs at the eave are seen mostly around the Lake of the Isle area. The style is known as Cotswold Cottage and is designed to replicate thatch. It is an expensive roof to apply to your home, as special eaves must be constructed to support the roll over the roof line. In my opinion, this roof option should only be used on a Tudor style home, however I have seen it pushed onto a newer home with French design … (9 comments)
This weeks showcase Historic Home is 344 Summit Avenue. In 1886 a large stone house was built on this site and had a beautiful corner tower. However, when the property was sold to Watson Davidson in 1914, the home was torn down to make way for what currently stands here today. In its place, the Davidsons built in the Beaux Arts style, a Tudor manor house. What is known about the home is Thomas Holyoke designed it at a cost of $40,000. Holyoke had been a draftsman for the famous Cass Gilbert and was urged to learn the style on his own. … (6 comments)
This weeks Historic Showcase Home is 445 Summit Ave.Know as the Shipman-Greve house, the home has been described by some as the perfect example of the Queen Anne style. Construction began in 1882 by Henry Shipman. For some reason lost through time, he was unable to complete the home, so Herman Greve, a local real estate broker at the time, purchased the home and finished it in 1883. In 1912, the home was bought by Frank Ford who added the iron fence and the west wing as seen in the photos.It is easy to see the Queen Anne details in … (20 comments)
architecture: Is This Your Money Pit? Part 2
- 05/14/07 04:35 PM
It could be if you purchase a historic home without doing your homework first. This post is a follow on to my first post Is this Your Money Pit, which featured the exterior problems to look for in your Minneapolis historic home purchase.Remember Tom Hanks in the "Money Pit" and all the neat discoveries they found in the inside of the home? I specifically like the staircase problem and the tub falling through the ceiling. It was funny, right? Well, it is, until it happens to you. Here's some advice on what to look for should you be thinking of buying … (0 comments)
architecture: Nicollet Island, a Great Day Trip for the Afternoon
- 05/10/07 09:24 AM
Nicollet Island is at the geographical and historical center of Minneapolis and was named afterJoseph Nicollet. He was a man of all trades including a scientist, geographer and mathematician. He is famous for leading three expeditions through Minnesota, and authored the influential book Map of the Hydro-graphical Basin of the Upper Mississippi.
Nicollet Island is a little Secret Spot that some locals forget about because it is so well hidden. It is a great place for an afternoon with family. As soon as you cross the old iron bridge that was built in 1887, you will find on the left The Island Pavilion. It sits … (4 comments)
architecture: St Paul Historic Home #6
- 05/01/07 01:26 PM
This home really stands out on the Avenue as it is the only one with full front facade porch with huge columns. The fact it is all white also adds to its prominence. This weeks showcase Historic Home is 365 Summit Avenue.Built in 1891 by J.W. Bass and designed by James Knox Taylor (who also built two other homes with his partner Cass Gilbert), the Bass family lived in the home until 1903, when they exchanged homes with Chauncey Griggs.Once Griggs took possession, the home forever changed. Originally, the home was designed as a Queen Anne Victorian. If one looks closely, you … (3 comments)
architecture: Summit Avenue Landmark hits Pay Dirt!
- 04/30/07 07:48 AM
Minnesota Historical Society Sells Rare Gem at ChristiesWhen the railroad baron James J. Hill bought a diamond and sapphire necklace for his wife in 1886 for a recorded amount of $2200, he probably never thought about what the single sapphire would fetch in 2007. Well this week the rare sapphire from Kashmir fetched an auction price of just over $3 Million.After Hill's death in 1916, the necklace was divided up among his six surviving daughters. The single sapphire, weighing 22.26 carats, was passed down to descendants and finally bequeathed to the Minnesota Historical Society in 2006. The sale sets a world … (4 comments)
architecture: St Paul Historic Home #5
- 04/25/07 02:16 AM
This weeks showcase Historic Home is 318 Summit Ave.I was going to post this home upon completion of its current renovation, but since the Pioneer Press did a fantastic article recently regarding the current owners, I decided to highlight the home early, and then come back in May for more comments when renovations are scheduled to be finished.Built in 1893 by William H. Lightner for a sum of $24,000, the home was designed by the well known architect Cass Gilbert. Gilbert is credited with building a total of 8 homes on the Avenue. The home is a classic and simple representation of … (3 comments)
architecture: Little Tiny Trains Bring out the Kid in You
- 04/22/07 03:06 PM
Visit Bandana Square in Saint PaulMy son loves trains. Loves them. Anytime he sees Thomas the Train, he gets really excited and just has to grab it. If we are driving and see a train, we must stop, roll the windows down, so he can see and hear it. Of course, we love to oblige him because it is just too cute.Last week I took my Wisconsin real estate class in St Paul, at a complex called Bandana Square. It is an old train station used at the turn of the century, and is currently used mostly for offices and a … (7 comments)
architecture: St Paul Historic Home 4
- 04/18/07 01:18 AM
This weeks featured Historic Home in St Paul is 649 Summit Ave.Built in 1874 by A G Manson, the home is a fantastic representation of Second Empire architectural design. Out of the four Second Empire homes built on Summit Avenue between 1867-1883, this is the only one still standing. Major features that distinguish this style are the Mansard roof with many dormers, brackets at the eaves, paired entry doors, and cresting along the roof line.The home sits on a beautiful third of an acre with a very simple but elegant landscape design. This home was at one time used as a … (10 comments)
architecture: Is This Your Money Pit?
- 04/10/07 07:01 AM
It could be if you purchase a historic home without doing your homework first.Remember Tom Hanks in the "Money Pit"? It was funny, right? Well, it is, until it happens to you. Here's some advice on what to look for should you be thinking of buying an older home. Oh, and this advice comes from first hand knowledge of my own money pit historic home from a couple years back.I am using this Saint Paul Historic Home as an example, so if you own this home, please forgive me. It is easy to see from the photo that the home needs … (12 comments)
architecture: Historical Homes of St Paul #2
- 04/04/07 05:54 AM
Here is my second favorite home on Summit Avenue in St Paul, Minnesota, photo taken fall of 2006. You can only imagine how grand the home appeared on a dirt street with carriage houses in the rear and servants coming and going in the late 1800's. These homes sit high up on a hill and overlook downtown St Paul. I wonder what it was like to look up at them as a commoner? Probably the same type of awe I feel in 2007 when I look at them too! This weeks spotlight historic home is 432 Summit Avenue The Burbank-Livingston-Griggs is the second oldest … (5 comments)
architecture: Historical Homes of St Paul #1
- 03/30/07 03:11 PM
One of my real estate specialties is historic homes. Their prooven strength at surviving the elements of time inspires me, and "they just don't build them like that" any more. If you haven't been to Minneapolis and St Paul, then you are missing some of the most beautiful old homes you have ever seen. I have been posting a featured Historic Home each week this year on my Luxury Blog, and thought I would share them on AR as well. I will post one home each week so be sure to check in periodically. Enjoy! This weeks Showcase historic home is 495 Summit … (5 comments)
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