Odd Minneapolis Home Addition Gets a Streamlined Update

From admin on March 22nd, 2011 in Minneapolis

When it came time to find a new home for their family, Melissa and Jim Scott had two fairly standard must-haves: a neighborhood with kids and a home with plenty of historic charm. So when they saw this 1905 home in a family-friendly south Minneapolis neighborhood, they knew it was exactly what they were looking for.

However, it was clear from the get-go that one structural blunder needed to be repurposed for their modern family: a two-story 1970’s glass tower addition that had little to no apparent purpose. They could have decided to tear the structure down, but instead hired architect Todd Hansen of Albertsson Hansen Architecture to transform it into a new kitchen, mudroom, and second-story master bedroom.

Before: Odd 1970s tower addition        After: New addition is elegant and seamless

Another view of the new addition

Since the kitchen tends to be gathering spot for the Scott’s, they wanted to make it as accommodating as possible.

The end result was a space with two stoves, sprawling Shaker-style cabinets, a large center island perfect for lounging, and a bay window to bring in ample natural light.

Walls were then torn down on the second floor of the tower to allow for the master bedroom, as well as a family room with double French doors.

Next up on the renovation list was reinstating some of the home’s original charm. They replaced a missing railing on the main floor with a coat cabinet that doubles as a stair railing designed by Hansen himself. Flower boxes were also added to the exterior, along with cedar shake shingles. A red brick fireplace was revamped with paneling and a wooden mantel.

With an eye for architecture and a little careful remodeling, the Scott’s were able to create the home they’d always dreamed of. Better yet, they didn’t have to do a complete overhaul.