The Prospect Avenue Project - A Tangletown Renovation

We are in the final stages of narrowing our scope of work on a new lower level renovation kicking off this month in the Tangletown neighborhood. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - defining the scope of work and balancing it with the budget is the most tedious part of any renovation. Let’s start by getting you up to speed on what’s transpired.

Like many of the clients that reach out to me, these homeowners were grappling over the decision of whether to stay in or sell their current home. Unique to the neighborhood, their Southwest Minneapolis home already boasted 4 bedrooms on one level. Couple that with the killer location walkable to all that Kenny Community School and Susan B. Anthony Middle School have to offer and you have a winning combination. With that said, room sizes were shrinking as their kids were getting bigger - transitional spaces were tight and left the family wanting more. The homeowners even went as far as to explore expanding the footprint of the current home and the costs associated with doing so. In the end, they chose to lay down roots in a contemporary home perched on Tangletown’s Prospect Avenue with sweeping views of downtown Minneapolis.

While the new home checks off nearly every box on their list, the lower level is underutilized for the demands of their busy family. Our project will involve the addition of a 3/4 bathroom, a new bedroom, a defined mechanical room as well as fresh and modern finishes for the family room & game area. Unlike most Minneapolis basements, this incredible lower level has a full walkout - so we’ll keep finishes durable and smart for the family dogs, kids and entertaining.

Here’s a run down of the overall scope of work:

Remove existing built-ins (they are so beautiful, salvaged from Hale School, but don’t match the modern aesthetic of the home - plus we need the additional space to allocate to the new bedroom).
Frame and finish a new bedroom (carpet, walls, trim, lighting and new doors).
Add a bathroom (currently there is no plumbing, so we’ll break up the concrete floor and add the additional plumbing, tile the shower and add a proper door, new vanity, lighting, fixtures and a punchy paint color).
Add additional lighting in the family room (copper pendants in front of a moody fireplace surround, layer in decorative and task lighting)
Install all new 5-panel wood doors painted in a rich charcoal (Subway by Hirshfields)
Install contemporary door hardware (polished finishes help keep costs at bay).
Install new luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout living space and bathroom (lifetime warranty, scratch proof, dent proof and waterproof for dogs and kids, comfortable underfoot).
Install all new base trim and casing throughout lower level. Paint walls, ceilings, trim and doors.
A new full glass exterior door will add additional natural light to the space - finishing it in a dark charcoal will up the drama factor.

The homeowners wanted the space to look and feel fresh and blend with the contemporary architecture of the home. Because this will eventually become a hangout for kids and their friends as well as a casual space for family movie and game nights, comfort and durability were key. Here’s a peek at the direction our designer landed on for finishes:

The living space is grounded by gray oak luxury vinyl plank flooring. Newly installed 5-panel doors as well as the entire existing concrete fireplace surround will be painted a rich charcoal - Subway by Benjamin Moore. BM Cloud White trim and BM Classic Gray walls will keep the overall finish feeling light and airy. Reflective copper pendants up the Mid-Century vibe while furnishings add an additional layer of color and warmth.

The new three-quarter bath will have a fully tiled shower - 2” black hex will cover the shower floor and travel up the back wall. Stacked 3” x 10” subway tile in a matte finish will line opposing walls. A floating vanity will keep the footprint feeling larger while BM Caribbean Blue walls bring a bold punch of color.

To follow the progress of the #prospectavenueproject, make sure you are following me on Instagram. Stay tuned for more details of the homeowners current Kenny neighborhood home, coming to the market February 6th. Want to learn more about buying a home to renovate? Reach out to me at sarah@foxhomes.com or by phone at (612) 723-7636.