1627 Dupont Ave N
Minneapolis, MN, USA

1627 Dupont Ave N, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Property Description: 2.5 stories; asymmetrical façade; hipped roof with cross-gables; boxed eaves; one-story porch runs the majority of the house; turned spindle work on porch; third-story gable has decorative shingle work; one-story addition on south-side of east (main) façade; steel cladding.

North façade features a one-story bay topped by a pedimented porch; turned spindle work on porch; all windows in bay are replacements; northwest and west side of façade have multiple two-story additions.

History:
"The Kost House is a simplified Folk Victorian two-story clapboard structure, re-sided in 1970. It has a truncated hipped roof with front and cross gables, and patterned wood shingles in the front and northside gable triangles. The front porch is partial width. Spindle work decorates front and back porches and a second-level side porch. The carved wood door has been restored. A double gable graces the north side, atop a two-story bay. The effect of plain corner boards, is continued in the wi(n)dow surrounds. The dominant front (picture) window and front door both have transom lights.

The complementary carriage house, built in 1903, is also simple. A side gable faces the house, and the clapboard wall surface extends unbroken into the gables.”

Statement of Significance:
The Kost House is an excellent example of a late nineteenth century middle-class dwelling with the added attraction of an intact carriage house (constructed later). Moreover both are being restored. At modest cost it was sited in 1887 in a rapidly developing northside neighborhood of the rapidly expanding city. Original owner Frank J. Kost is listed as a band leader in 1886-87 living several blocks distant at 1709 North Second Street. By 1888-89 Kost is listed as a northside realtor (frank Kost and Company, real estate and loans, Plymouth and North Washington Avenues).

Perhaps a musician’s income, lucrative enough during the city’s golden age of exploding prosperity, could have financed even greater rewards to be had in real estate speculation as the population of Minneapolis increased from 46,887 to 164,738 between 1880-90.

Except for an adjacent lot which remained vacant for more than a decade, the surrounding neighborhood was sufficiently developed and dense to support both a public library and the Fourth Baptist Church only a block away. The carriage house by contrast, built in 1903 by a subsequent owner was not constructed until the City had recovered somewhat from the national economic depression resulting from the panic of 1893."2

1.Neet, Fred. Local Heritage Preservation Designation Study: Frank J. Kost House and Carriage House. Rep. Minneapolis: Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission, 1986. Print.

2.Neet, Fred. Local Heritage Preservation Designation Study: Frank J. Kost House and Carriage House. Rep. Minneapolis: Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission, 1986. Print.

First Owner: F.K Kost