Summit Avenue Historic Home, Saint Paul # 28 - What a Full Renovation Can Do For a Historic Home

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Kirby Fine Homes

  AFTER RENOVATION

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 up until 2005.

 BEFORE RENOVATION

As you can see, it looks nothing like the beautiful Queen Anne of 1882. The front gable and chimneys are the only remaining pieces visual to the eye that haven't changed.

In 2005, a very expensive renovation was begun, with the owners wanting to bring back the facade of the original home. After a complete inside/outside renovation of the main house, and an exterior renovation of the carriage house, the home recently sold for $1.7 Million with Edina Realty, and photos of the home are still available via a virtual tour. The home has over 7000 square feet, 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, and for one simple word, is stunning.

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I post about Twin Cities Historic Homes and Buildings on my Luxury Blog and my Historic Home blog. Check back often for new stories about historic homes in Saint Paul and Minneapolis!

Comments (6)

Josué E. Silva
Tierra Antigua Realty - Tucson, AZ
Indeed, it is a very beautiful home. Desire you the best in selling the home in a timely manner.
Mar 26, 2008 06:41 AM
Jacqueline Tolstyka
Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors - Cheboygan, MI
Realtor - Selling Beautiful Northern Michigan
Jennifer, What a gorgeous home. I love the old places we have a few up here in my area. Some real beauties on Mackinac Island. Good luck with the listing.
Mar 26, 2008 09:17 AM
Jennifer Kirby
Kirby Fine Homes - Minneapolis, MN
The Luxury Agent

Thanks for commenting. The house is beautiful, but it is not a listing. I feature a historic home and its history as part of a series I have been writing for over a year now. This is number 28.

Mar 26, 2008 11:13 AM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
Jennifer - the porches make such a difference! But that's part of the charm of the Victorians, isn't it?
Mar 26, 2008 03:59 PM
Carolyn Gjerde-Tu-Davis
Lyon Real Estate - Davis, CA
Ca Real Estate
The porches really bring the Queen Anne back, without them the house looks like a strange Tutor.  The darker paint also helps bring out the details in the house.
Apr 01, 2008 10:47 AM
Steve Sanders
Independent Observer - Saint Paul, MN
What a beautiful house.  I live in this neighborhood and am happy to be in such a neat historic district.
Apr 07, 2008 06:00 AM

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