The Thurston-Schiffman house in St. Paul’s Historic Hill District sold for $1.175 million last month. The nearly 7,000-square-foot mansion, built in 1881, had been on the market for three years.
The four-bedroom, six-bathroom house is a classic Queen Anne Victorian, as evidenced by its red brick exterior, gabled roofs, and grouped windows. The residence also includes a carriage house that has been converted to a living space for renters.
Much of the home’s interior is original, including all the floors, almost all the woodwork, and the stained-glass windows, which is impressive given the home’s age. The house has also been updated with a central air-conditioning system.
The home has a place on the National Register of Historic Places and was featured in Karen Melvin’s anthology Great Houses of Summit Avenue and the Hill District. As writer Bette Hammel noted, one reason the house stands out is because of the dark teal and cream-colored wood detailing on the exterior.
Sarah Kinney was the realtor in charge of selling this massive mansion on the corner of Summit Avenue and Mackubin Street. She was the third real estate agent to take on the task of selling this home for the previous owners.
Potential buyers were shocked at the house’s condition—in a good way, says Kinney. “When I had open houses, people were just amazed at the wonderful condition the house was in.” The previous owners, residents for around 30 years, had carefully cared for the house, she says.
The buyer—who is from the East Coast and appreciative of a house with history—has already moved in. Kinney says the new owner is happy with the house’s “unusually good” condition. She doesn’t know if renovations are planned in the future. “As far as I know, they’re loving it,” she adds.
If you’d like to see what makes this not-so-dated dwelling special, check out this virtual home tour.
By Jenna Allen
Photos courtesy of Erik Mickelson
