St Paul Historic Home #7

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Kirby Fine Homes

If you have been following my series on Historic Homes here on Active Rain, you will notice this home is quite different from the others. The fact that it was built some 30-40 years later than others is one thing, but don't blame the house, another home used to occupy the spot and that home was one of the oldest on the Avenue.

This weeks showcase Historic Home is 294 Summit Ave.


The original Italian villa home that was built in 1859 on this site was replaced by the current home in 1919. A beautiful representation of Georgian Revival, George F. Lindsay commissioned the home to be built and was designed by Parker, Thomas, and Rice, a known Boston architectural firm.


Since its construction, the two ends of the home have been enclosed and an addition was added. Sitting on a half acre, this home boasts 10,000 square feet of living space, 5 bedrooms and 9 baths. It was recently listed for sale in 2006 for $2,759,000 but was taken off the market after only 4 months. It has a beautiful back yard that overlooks the city.
There is some debate over the architectural definition of the house. Some call it Georgian Revival while others call it Colonial Revival. From the best I can tell, Georgian Revival is more correct. Georgian style includes symmetrical pedimented dormers, symmetrical placed chimneys, and a columned portico, just to name a few. Colonial Revival homes tend to have a touch of Victorian design present. Which ever you choose, though, this home is a true beauty on the avenue in St Paul, MN.

View a few other pictures of the home in 1920, Pool inside the Carriage House, the Courtyard.

Comments (5)

Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
The home is lovely---and that pool room was amazing!  Thanks for sharing, I love different styles of architecture.
May 08, 2007 03:03 PM
Jennifer Kirby
Kirby Fine Homes - Minneapolis, MN
The Luxury Agent
Carole - Thanks for visiting. When I first saw the pool in the original carriage house my jaw dropped. Pretty funny with the Chimney and lounging chairs at one end. But at least they found another use for the building instead of tearing it down. If you look close at the old Courtyard photo, and the one shown up to date, you can see how the fountain has been filled in and has a new statue, but the space is being used for the same function. Pretty cool that after 90 years, some things stay the same.
May 08, 2007 03:26 PM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
Hi, Jennifer. I love the links to the 1920s photos. Do you have any photos of the original building that was on the site?
May 10, 2007 10:17 AM
Jennifer Kirby
Kirby Fine Homes - Minneapolis, MN
The Luxury Agent
Sharon- I have looked and looked and I cannot find any images of the original home. Sometimes the homes are physically moved and are then lost to history. This is one of my favorite homes on Summit Avenue.
May 10, 2007 12:26 PM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
Jennifer - sometimes we all run into dead ends. Glad you shared what you did have.
May 11, 2007 08:18 AM

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