Learn the unique history of this tucked away little-known street in the farthest northeast corner of the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County. What is the connection to Minneapolis Streetcar magnate Thomas Lowry? Why is the street called Architect Avenue and who were the architects? In 1905, a contest was held in one of the farthest corners of Hennepin County for well-designed homes for the up-and-coming middle class. Major Twin Cities architects were solicited to develop affordable homes, which would combine “luxury, elegance, utility, and comfort”…and each had to cost $3,000 or less (including landscaping and sidewalk). Twelve local architects submitted designs; six were chosen and built. This mini-development became “Architect Avenue,” developed and promoted by Thomas Lowry, and all six of these unique and original homes still exist.
House historian and detective Kathy Kullberg details the past of the houses and the main characters of 1905 Hennepin history.