If you’ve ever meandered the residential street of Minneapolis, you’ll know that there are some absolutely stunning Victorian homes. Park Avenue in Minneapolis was once as covered with ornate, beautiful mansions as Summit Avenue in Saint Paul still is. Many homes have fallen into disrepair over the years and ended up being demolished. For the houses that are given another chance at life and vibrancy, it’s something entirely unique. The Bardwell-Ferrant House, located at 2500 Portland Avenue, is one of those homes.

This vibrant gem was built in 1883 in the Queen Anne style.
Wikipedia/Bardwell-Ferrant House
This was once Charles Bardwell's home; he was a well-to-do lumber man in the late 1880s. The house was originally located on 1800 Park Avenue while Bardwell resided there.
The house was moved from its original spot in 1898.
1889 Victorian House Renovation
In 1890, Emil Ferrant purchased the Bardwell House and hired a local and prestigious architect, Charles Struck, to renovate the home in the Moorish Revival style. The onion shaped domes were added to the exterior. The interior of the home remained mostly the same, with elaborate carvings in the wood, which was common for that time.
As more than 100 years have passed, the Bardwell-Ferrant house has been through a lot.
1889 Victorian House Restoration/Douglas Madeline
The home fell into disrepair. For awhile, people attempted to steal the stained glass from the windows, stole bricks from the fireplace, and vandalized the entire house. For a home with such a rich history, this was devastating to many.

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There aren't many photos of the Bardwell-Ferrant house over time, but some from the 1970s remain.
Tumblr/Hennepin County Library
Tumblr/Hennepin County Library
Model City Survey captured some photos of the home in the 1970s. At this time, this grand mansion had been converted into a fourplex, as was common with most mansions in the mid-1900s with the decline of the upper class.
The Bardwell-Ferrant House is back to most of its original glory!
Only In Your State/Seth Hardmeyer
The best thing about Minneapolis is the devotion to restore and preserve older homes in the city. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, which will hopefully mean the Bardwell-Ferrant House will be here for another century.

Vibrant homes with a history are a rarity in this world. It’s important to treasure them as a memory of the past. We know the Twin Cities have plenty of beautiful historic homes. Do you have a favorite? Let us know in the comments below.

If you have an appreciation for historical architecture in The Twin Cities, read These 9 Churches In Minneapolis-Saint Paul Will Leave You Speechless.

 

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