Historic preservation, environment-friendly homes and new construction all figure prominently in the upcoming Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour. The Camden area has two homes on the April 30-May 1 Tour.
As the Tour marks its 29th year showing “real homes, real people, real ideas,” residents open their doors to show practical ideas for remodeling every room in the house, creative ways of finding or adding useful space, or building new to stay in the neighborhoods they love.
More than 50 homes and special locations will be open for the free, self-guided tour Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, May 1 from 1-5 p.m. Several locations will offer brief, organized topic talks. At many homes, contractors, architects, trades people and homeowners are available to talk with guests.
House #1, in Victory at 3942 Xerxes Ave. N., is David and Gabrielle Calhoun’s1939 Tudor. “We originally discovered this house while on a joy ride admiring the architecture and charm of the houses in Victory long before we were looking to buy,” they said. “The steep peaks with beautiful stucco and brickwork caught our attention immediately.” The house features an updated kitchen, original elements throughout, and a fully converted master suite upstairs with high ceilings. A newly finished basement with a kitchenette makes for over 2,500 sq. ft. of living and entertaining space.
House #2 at 3519 Dupont Ave. N., is a 1.5-story bungalow was built in 2015. Gary Schollmeier wanted minimal operating expenses, and Net Zero Consultant Kitty Stratton worked with designer/builder Peyser, LLC, Jay Isenberg to take this Green Homes North lot far beyond the expectations first set by the City of Minneapolis. There will be some organized topic talks at the home, consult msphometour.com for details.
Working with Pat O’Malley, LEED for Homes, they designed it to LEED Platinum standards. It has 3.5 kW Solar Photovoltaic garage mount roof system, and the home is super-insulated. With a two-bedroom/one-bath open concept, passive solar strategies provide heat from sun in winter. U.S.-made Passivhaus-certified windows facilitate natural ventilation in summer, window placement and overhangs maximize light and cooling.
There will soon be 1 bed/1bath, wine cellar and working studio/shop in the lower level; upper level is available for expansion with roughed in plumbing and subflooring and will add an additional 700 sq. ft. if and when desired bringing the possible total sq. ft. of home to 2,600.
The Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES) instead of its own spring solar tour, recommends various locations on the Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour including 3519 Dupont. These locations feature solar or green building, recycling, re-use, net zero energy and other environment-friendly practices.
Other homes in North Minneapolis include 2806 Girard, a 1950s home being renovated by PRG with a dormer for expanded second floor suite with bath; 2014 Upton, a Green Home North that’s Jonishea McCall’s new home; and two homes in Old Highland.
One of those Old Highland homes is 1621 Girard, under renovation for the past year by Blake and Travis Zochert. The 1906 home now has five bedrooms and will be for sale. Craig and Romelle Pier will have 1401 Fremont on the tour. Their 1901 home has all the classic wood features, and since they were on the tour 20 years ago, an updated kitchen, finished third story, and more.
To plan a free, self-guided tour go to MSPHomeTour.com (starting early April) for a downloadable PDF of the guide and where to get a paper copy.