Saint Paul

Minneapolis and the Twin Cities Rank No. 1 for Parks

The Trust for Public Land declared Minneapolis and the Twin Cities the nation’s best big city for public parks, followed by New York, Boston and Sacramento, Calif.

Minneapolis parks

Jayne Miller, superintendent for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, said the work the board has done over the years earned the award.

“The city was built around the park system, not the other way around,” she said. “We are unique from the standpoint that the park system was built as an economic driver for the city.”

Recent Minneapolis parks projects include the East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center and new synthetic turf fields; a new beach, boardwalk playground and picnic area at Theodore Wirth Park; and the Phillips Community Center renovation.

“This...

Architectural Style – Split-Level

Split-level architecture is such a popular style, there are probably few if any neighborhoods to be found without at least one of this type of home.  This is especially true since it was popular during the boom period of 1945 to the 1980s.  A Split-Level is a Ranch Style house that is divided into several parts, which is also why it’s often called a Split-Level Ranch. One section of the house is lowered and one section is raised, and there are usually two short flights of stairs to get to each section.  In the most popular form of this style of home, the front door opens to a landing where one finds two short flights of stairs, one leading up and one leading down.  Split-level design reflects an approach popularized by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who believed that houses with "half floors" would blend naturally with the landscape. Living areas are separated from private areas by just a few steps, rather than a single long staircase.  There are...

Minneapolis Saint Paul Home Tour 2012

A little over 25 years ago, some Minneapolis real estate agents and city officials concerned about suburban migration invited the public into 40 homes to promote urban living. Today, that event is held annually and is known as the Minneapolis Saint Paul Home Tour.

This year's Minneapolis St. Paul Home Tour features 60 Twin Cities homes and occurs this weekend on April 28 and April 29. The unique, self-guided tour is an opportunity for people to see how homeowners have reinvented or rejuvenated older housing stock. Visitors can speak directly with homeowners about remodeling or expanding a home. Many contractors and architects will also be available to answer questions. Whether its remodeling a kitchen, gutting a bathroom or constructing an addition, this tour of “real homes, real people, real ideas” is sure to be inspirational....