Lowry Hill Conversion
Historic Home Remodel | Minneapolis, Minnesota
Transitional Renovation
Our clients purchased this 100+ year old house with the goal of gutting the poorly-renovated interior and implementing an open, cohesive floor plan. Although the husband preferred contemporary design while the wife leaned traditional, they were unified in their desire for natural light and indoor-outdoor connection, even on their tight urban lot.
The existing kitchen was too small to accommodate a kitchen island, which was not acceptable to the husband, an excellent cook. Our solution was to eliminate a secondary servant’s stair to the upper floor. The servant’s stair, common in grand, old homes, allowed servants to traverse the house while staying out of sight. By removing it, the kitchen space almost doubled which created space for a large, 4-seat island.
Refreshing the Space
To open the floor plan, we demolished 17’ of interior structural wall to make one large, open living space between the living room and kitchen. A large 12” tall steel beam was needed to replace the load-bearing wall which we hid behind a thick trim band. Adding a shortcut to the dining room offers longer views through the home to the living room and better ability to serve guests. A double-sided fireplace adds physical and visible warmth to the space, as well as glimpses between the living room and dining room. A new covered terrace is accessible from three entry points and includes ceiling-mounted heaters to extend the outdoor season, increasing the feeling of spaciousness.
Updated Elements
A dialog between old and new is seen with the traditional staircase rising in counterpoint to the modern, trimless window above. This 6’ x 8’ window - the largest single piece of glass that the window manufacturer offered - brings light to both levels with an unexpected modern twist. To modernize the grand stair, we utilized two inexpensive solutions: paint and editing. The ornamental balustrade (railing) was left in place but scraped of some inauthentic “gingerbread.” It was then painted a matte white to reflect ambient light from the huge pane of north-facing glass.
Creating an Oasis
The most considered space in the upper level is the owner’s bath. Our clients wanted both privacy and openness: a private shower with plenty of natural light, and a tub with views to their garden. Resolving this in one small space required thoughtful consideration and numerous iterations. A key element to achieving these goals was the glass-on-glass design of the mirrors on the shower enclosure. The frosted glass shower enclosure created privacy in the shower, while also serving as a “wall” to hang the vanity mirrors on. A sculptural tub occupies the opposite corner and offers views to the back yard. What was previously a sagging and drafty sunroom became a crisp and modern oasis.
Project Collaborators: Streeter Homes, Kate Roos Design, and A.M. Structural Engineering. Photography by Spacecrafting.