Blue Pencil Collective together with Lifespace Construction has transformed a historic structure into a modern, social house located in the South Hill neighborhood of Stillwater, Minnesota. The residence is situated in a historic district at the top of the iconic Stillwater stairs, which serve as a wayfinding guide for the entire town. It is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 

Originally constructed as a church in the early 1900s, the building was later transformed into a residence. This structure holds its share of intriguing stories. Today, the dwelling sits proudly on the edge of Stillwater’s South Hill, overlooking the picturesque downtown and the St. Croix River boasting exclusive, panoramic views.

This uninhabited home had suffered from years of neglect. It was dark, damp, and very outdated with limited views of the St. Croix River. Inside, the dwelling was anchored by a centrally located multi-level fireplace that includes 4-foot-deep walls of mortar, field rock, and brick. 

It was important to the homeowners to preserve the architectural significance of this 3,800-square-foot home. The project began with taking the dilapidated interior down to the studs.

The homeowner had two main goals when rehabbing their house. They wanted to share this iconic dwelling with friends, family, and the community by having a big open space on the first level that enjoys spectacular views of the city and the river. They also desired a large woodburning fireplace at the heart of the home, open to the kitchen and living area, where people could congregate.

What We Love: This uninhabitable historic house was not only restored and made livable but also transformed into a light-filled dwelling that maximizes views throughout. We are loving how every square inch was maximized in this home with clever storage solutions so that an addition was not needed. Materials throughout this home were repurposed or recycled and the beautiful wood flooring comes from FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) products.

Tell Us: What details do you find most appealing in this historical renovation project? Please share your thoughts in the Comments below!

Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other fascinating home tours that we have highlighted here on One Kindesign in the state of Minnesota: A lovely Scandinavian cottage in Minnesota makes the most of lake views and This warm and rustic Minnesota home embraces its beautiful landscape.

The finished result was a historic house brought back to life from near dilapidation that is once again filled with light and energy radiating from the river town. Its location and views create the perfect place to bring friends, family, and community together around the 25’ high, double-sided, wood-burning fireplace to continue the story behind these four walls for several decades to come.

Above: The 25-foot dual-sided fireplace features irregular-cut stone sourced from Rivard Stone. To bring the woodburning fireplace up to code, new footings had to be constructed to support the large structure. The mechanical system had to be completely redone with a “make-up air’ ventilation system. This brings fresh outdoor air into the dwelling while removing the contaminated indoor air.

The main level of this magnificent dwelling is the perfect blend of style and functionality. The crisp, clean kitchen is the main focus of the open-plan layout, while the living room exudes luxury with an inset wet bar, dual-sided, stone-clad fireplace, and minimalist furnishings. A neutral color palette is complemented by black metal railings, architectural archways, and a vibrant art piece in the foyer, bringing all the elements together perfectly.

In the kitchen, custom painted wood cabinets and concrete countertops sourced from Living Stone Concrete Design.

Simple materials were used throughout the home, including stone, sheetrock, handmade clay tile, and black metal railings.

The staircase presented another challenge in this renovation project. The original staircase wound through the old church’s choir loft and into the priest’s quarters. The new design elegantly flows up to the main bedroom suite at one side of the balcony complete with a wood-burning stove and expansive views, while the children’s bedrooms and a bathroom are set at the other end.

Above: An office/sleep area features a custom built-in daybed with integrated storage that is beautifully clad in white oak paneling.

PHOTOGRAPHER Spacecrafting