Summit Avenue isn’t the only street in town flaunting lavish and extravagant historic mansions. Minneapolis is now showing off some its own swagger as for the first time in thirty-five years, the Charles J. Martin mansion is up for sale.
And for a mere $6,000,000 this home could be yours.
The Charles J. Martin mansion sprawls atop the highest point in Minneapolis on almost one acre of land at 1300 Mount Curve in the Lowry Hill neighborhood. Originally built in 1903 for flour mill tycoon Charles J. Martin, this mansion was designed by the prominent architect William Channing Whitney in the Renaissance Revival style, which was particularly popular for large-scale residences in the early years of the 20th century. Charles J. Martin who also served as secretary of treasurer of the Washburn-Crosby Company which later became known as General Mills, certainly had a taste for the more luxurious things in life:
With over 14,300 square feet of floor space, this mansion has ten bedrooms, eleven bathrooms, a wine cellar, billiard room, library, five fireplaces, two-bedroom garden level apartment, seven car garage, skylights, a cabana, sauna, hot tub, heated outdoor pool, multiple decks, terraces, and patios, and not to mention well-crafted intricate woodwork in the multiple dining and living rooms.
I feel like I just described the mansion from the Clue board game sans the secret passageways. Though frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Charles J. Martin house had a hidden hallway going from the kitchen to the billiard room.
And while the home has gone through a few upgrades throughout the years, the current owners preserved and maintained the design, detail, and architectural style of the original home, earning the mansion a spot on the National Historic Register. The owners, however, are now ready to move out and relinquish the home to the next millionaire mogul.
With a simple down payment of $1,199,000 and a monthly mortgage of $30,563 this home could be yours.
But if the Charles J. Martin mansion is a little out of your budget, don’t worry: You can still move to the Lowry Hill neighborhood as the historic Lawrence Donaldson mansion is also on the market for only $2,995,000. With the original asking price at $6,500,000 this is quite the steal. Built in 1906 for Lawrence Donaldson, founder of the Donaldson Department Store in Minneapolis, the 9,574 square foot mansion has recently been refurbished to its original grandeur boasting ten fireplaces, a sun parlour, sleeping porch, ornately detailed designs, and so much more.
I know it’s a tough choice between the two homes, but to help you make your decision, check out these incredible photos of the mansions. The photos certainly helped me picture where I would put up my 40” screen TV and arrange my IKEA couch…
Charles J. Martin Mansion
Lawrence Donaldson Mansion
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