At 1291 Summit Avenue, history and architectural grace converge in a distinguished Colonial Revival residence on St. Paul's most prestigious boulevard. Set on a generous .4-acre lot, this stately home presents an opportunity for either thoughtful restoration or sophisticated modern interpretation.
The property's commanding presence begins with its masterfully preserved wood shingle exterior, where operable wood shutters frame elegant 6-over-1 windows in perfect symmetry. A distinctive gabled entrance, adorned with vertical wood siding and supported by iron posts, creates an inviting approach, while half sidelights frame the front door.
Within, the main level unfolds with sophisticated flow. The great room anchors the floor plan with its wood-burning fireplace and custom built-ins, complemented by formal and informal dining spaces. A private kitchen awaits its next owner's vision, while a dedicated office provides an elegant work-from-home retreat. The east-facing sun porch offers a light-filled sanctuary, and a powder room adds convenience. Original hardwood floors extend throughout beneath carpeting, awaiting restoration.
The upper level features four well-proportioned bedrooms served by two full bathrooms, with hardwood floors beneath carpeting throughout. Above, an unfinished attic presents expansion possibilities. The spacious lower level, accessed via a private walkup entrance to the rear yard, includes a family room, amusement room, laundry facilities, and three-quarter bathroom. While this generous space awaits comfort updates, its practical layout and private entrance make it ideal for conversion to an independent apartment or extended family living space, subject to local regulations.
Modern convenience meets classic design in the property's exceptional parking accommodations. An oversized two-car garage provides secure vehicle storage, while an adjacent carport offers additional covered parking. The alley-accessed design maintains the home's historic street presence while delivering the functionality today's homeowners desire. A dedicated storage shed houses gardening equipment and landscape maintenance tools, supporting the care of the expansive grounds.
Modern comfort is assured through hot water heating and central air conditioning. The property's 1960 relocation to Summit Avenue included a new concrete block foundation, ensuring structural integrity while preserving architectural heritage.
Summit Avenue's premier location offers proximity to the Cathedral of Saint Paul, Grand Avenue's sophisticated amenities, and downtown's cultural venues. The celebrated Grand Round parkway system provides recreational opportunities steps away.
This Colonial Revival residence represents a rare opportunity to embrace both architectural distinction and modern comfort. Whether restored to classic beauty or reimagined with contemporary touches, 1291 Summit Avenue presents an exceptional opportunity to become part of Summit Avenue's continuing legacy while creating a personal vision of elegant living.
Pending
$625,000
1291 Summit Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105
4beds
3,606sqft
Est.:
Single Family Residence
Built in 1928
0.41 Acres Lot
$628,100 Zestimate®
$173/sqft
$-- HOA
What's special
Oversized two-car garageOriginal hardwood floorsSophisticated flowWood-burning fireplaceDistinctive gabled entranceVertical wood sidingIron posts
- 25 days
- on Zillow |
- 2,532 |
- 91 |
Likely to sell faster than
Zillow last checked: 7 hours ago
Listing updated: August 05, 2025 at 08:47am
Listed by:
Michael J Finstad 612-245-6470,
Engel & Volkers Minneapolis Downtown
Source: NorthstarMLS as distributed by MLS GRID,MLS#: 6758395

Travel times
Facts & features
Interior
Bedrooms & bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 4
- Full bathrooms: 2
- 3/4 bathrooms: 1
- 1/2 bathrooms: 1
Rooms
- Room types: Kitchen, Dining Room, Great Room, Informal Dining Room, Office, Sun Room, Sitting Room, Bedroom 1, Bedroom 2, Bedroom 3, Bedroom 4, Hobby Room, Family Room, Amusement Room, Storage, Laundry, Garage, Other Room
Bedroom 1
- Level: Upper
- Area: 213.39 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 15'4x13'11
Bedroom 2
- Level: Upper
- Area: 166.15 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 13'9x12'1
Bedroom 3
- Level: Upper
- Area: 156.98 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 13'9x11'5
Bedroom 4
- Level: Upper
- Area: 113.65 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 13'11x8'2
Other
- Level: Lower
- Area: 236.31 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 15'8x15'1
Dining room
- Level: Main
- Area: 189 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 14x13'6
Family room
- Level: Lower
- Area: 306.96 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 23'2x13'3
Garage
- Level: Main
- Area: 624 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 26x24
Great room
- Level: Main
- Area: 331.68 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 23'10x13'11
Other
- Level: Upper
- Area: 48.44 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 7'9x6'3
Informal dining room
- Level: Main
- Area: 112 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 14x08
Kitchen
- Level: Main
- Area: 126 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 14x09
Laundry
- Level: Lower
- Area: 121.42 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 15'8x7'9
Office
- Level: Main
- Area: 85.9 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 11'1x7'9
Other
- Level: Main
- Area: 252 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 14x18
Sitting room
- Level: Main
- Area: 190.94 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 16'3x11'9
Storage
- Level: Lower
- Area: 305.03 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 23'2x13'2
Sun room
- Level: Main
- Area: 213.44 Square Feet
- Dimensions: 22'8x9'5
Heating
- Baseboard, Boiler, Hot Water
Cooling
- Central Air
Features
- Basement: Block,Finished,Full,Walk-Out Access
- Number of fireplaces: 1
- Fireplace features: Living Room, Wood Burning
Interior area
- Total structure area: 3,606
- Total interior livable area: 3,606 sqft
- Finished area above ground: 2,439
- Finished area below ground: 0
Video & virtual tour
Property
Parking
- Total spaces: 6
- Parking features: Carport, Detached, Asphalt, Garage Door Opener, Guest, Other, Storage
- Garage spaces: 2
- Carport spaces: 1
- Uncovered spaces: 3
- Details: Garage Dimensions (26x24)
Accessibility
- Accessibility features: None
Features
- Levels: Two
- Stories: 2
- Patio & porch: Enclosed, Side Porch
Lot
- Size: 0.41 Acres
- Dimensions: 79 x 230 x 77 x 77
- Features: Near Public Transit, Sod Included in Price, Many Trees
Details
- Additional structures: Additional Garage, Storage Shed
- Foundation area: 1167
- Parcel number: 032823130095
- Zoning description: Residential-Single Family
Construction
Type & style
- Home type: SingleFamily
- Property subtype: Single Family Residence
Materials
- Cedar, Shake Siding, Wood Siding
- Roof: Pitched
Condition
- Age of Property: 97
- New construction: No
- Year built: 1928
Utilities & green energy
- Electric: Circuit Breakers
- Gas: Natural Gas
- Sewer: City Sewer/Connected
- Water: City Water/Connected
Community & HOA
Community
- Subdivision: Anna E Ramsey Add Enlg To St P
HOA
- Has HOA: No
Location
- Region: Saint Paul
Financial & listing details
- Price per square foot: $173/sqft
- Tax assessed value: $621,500
- Annual tax amount: $9,818
- Date on market: 7/21/2025
- Road surface type: Paved
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