Lowry Hill Historic Renaissance Home

This weeks featured Historic Home of Minneapolis is located at 1300 Mount Curve Avenue.

Known as the Charles Martin house, the home was built in 1904 by William Channing Whitney and is mostly constructed of brick. When driving down Mount Curve, you could easily miss the home as it is tucked away behind a wrought-iron fence and large hedge. I had to angle the camera to get a good shot of the home.

The Twin Cities was founded on the backs of the flour mills. The original owner of the home was involved in the trade as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Washburn Crosby Company that later became General Mills. The home as sits on top of Lowry hill, looking down over Minneapolis. The view has changed greatly since its construction.

Built in the Italian Renaissance style, it has every thing needed to stand out as an fabulous form of architecture. The low pitched hip roof covered in tiles is one give away, but other classical details include the balustrade front porch, pediments over the windows, the brackets, dentils, and quoins, just to name a few. Also it seems that many columns on Renaissance homes are done in the Doric fashion.

View photos of the home as it appeared in 1910, and 1950.

The Longfellow House

This weeks Historic Home in Minneapolis is 4800 Minnehaha Avenue.

Built in 1907, the home was constructed for Robert F. Jones and originally located at 4001 Minnehaha Parkway East. It was constructed as a 2/3 scale replica of a Colonial house located in Cambridge, Massachusetts that was owned at one time by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

The home originally sat on 4.6 acres, part of Longfellow Gardens, a zoo and botanical gardens,which was run by Mr. Jones. When Mr. Jones died in 1934, the park was closed a short four years later. The property was deeded to the city of Minneapolis, which used the house as the Minneapolis public library up until 1967. Over the years, the historic building fell into ruin. It wasn't until 1994 that the house was saved, when the home was moved by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to its current location and renovated by the Kodet Architectural Group.

As part of the Minnehaha Park, including Minnehaha Falls, the Longfellow House is used as an interpretive learning center.

Minneapolis Historic Home # 2

This weeks showcase Historic Home in Minneapolis is located at 25 Groveland Terrace.

Architect Frank B. Long designed this home which was built in 1894 as his own personal residence. When it was built, it had a wonderful view of downtown Minneapolis.

The home is a simple representation of the Richardson Romanesque style so prevalent in Minneapolis and St Paul older homes. It was built with rough cut masonry stones and has the common circular tower. While the porch fits in nicely with the home, it is not original to the home. View this 1896 photo of the home as it was originally designed.

The building is currently used as a Gallery for local Midwestern artists, with exhibitions in the main house and carriage house too. Visit their website Groveland Gallery for more information.

View this 1910 photo of Groveland Terrace. The first two homes have since been demolished and replaced with less appealing buildings. The third home back is 25 Groveland.

Minnepolis Historic Home - Lake Harriet

This weeks Historic Home is 2504 40th St West.

In Southwest Minneapolis, just between Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet, sits a remarkable home unlike its neighbors. Built in 1906 for Frank E. Lovell, this Swiss Chalet style home was designed by Lowell Lamoreaux and is in fantastic condition. The balcony sweeps around the home and offers views of Lake Harriet.

Lake Harriet Historic Home in Minneapolis

This weeks Historic Home in Minneapolis is 4700 Lake Harriet Pkwy W.

Built in 1910 by Bertrand and Chamberlin, it was designed for Harry S. and Paula Pierce. The home sits on a small hill east of Lake Harriet, giving sweeping views of the Lake. Influences of Prairie Style are seen in the windows and roof design,. The most striking feature of the home is the frieze located on the second story which depicts a wooded scene with knights and maidens.

The most recent sale of the home was in 1997 for $745,000 and has an estimated value, now 10 years later, for just over $2 Million. It's interior was updated at the time of sale with about 3000 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, sunrooms, verandas and more.

Lowry Hill Historic Home in Minneapolis

The first featured Historic Home in the Lowry Hill district of Minneapolis is 905 Douglas Avenue.
Built in 1900, the home is most likely similar to when it was first built, though the area surrounding it has changed greatly. Designed as a Colonial Revival mansion, the home has distinguishing characteristics of the style including full height column Corinthian capitals, dentils at the cornice with decorative molding, and a broken pediment above the door. The front door is also typical with its fanlight above the door and side lights.

The main home was recently restored to its former beauty and is currently listed for sale by Remax Results for $1,995,000. It boasts about 6500 square feet with 7 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms. The carriage house has also been restored and is currently zoned as a condo. Built in 1900 as well, it now has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and is approximately 1800 square feet. It is listed separate from the house for sale for $649,900.