Downtown Minneapolis has become the spot where the Minnesota Vikings (and their legions of purple-clad fans) roam. Opened to great fanfare in 2016, U.S. Bank Stadium dominates an area with almost no residential housing.
However, one home in the shadow of the stadium definitely stands out due to its unique castlelike appearance.
Now, the brick structure with the distinctive copper-clad tower, known to locals as the Harry Potter house, is on the market for $3 million.
“The uniqueness of it is what draws people. There’s nothing else like it,” says listing agent Jeffrey Dewing. “It’s someone who created their dream.”
The urban castle has been on and off the market since 2011. We know a home with such a specific vision can be a seller’s nightmare, because a buyer who appreciates the aesthetic must be found. But Dewing tells us he’s had multiple showings and even received an off-market deal from a brewery that regrettably fell through.
Interest has been mixed between those looking for commercial space and others who want a downtown location. Dewing says it’s the only single-family residence in the downtown area within a 12-block radius.
The offbeat property has also been described as “Tim Burton meets ‘Lord of the Rings,’”—but that wasn’t what the owner, musician and restaurateur Jeff Arundel, had in mind when he transformed the former blacksmith shop built in 1911.
“The inspiration comes from a deep-rooted connection I seem to have for castles,” he says of the place he purchased in 2002 for $1.1 million. “The gothic arches, the beams and timbers and stone. I have seemed to drift into that language easily.”
The listing launched a landslide of views, and the home recently made it on our weekly look at the most popular homes in the country.
The interior is just as dramatic as the exterior. Set behind a gated courtyard and garden, the 4,547-square-foot home has three beds, 2.5 baths, a formal dining room, and an open living space with a kitchen.
The outdoor space features a rooftop terrace with space for entertaining, dining, and cooking. There’s also a charming—dare we say magical— interior courtyard with a tree growing in the middle of it.
“The outdoor spaces that this home offers are unique to Minneapolis,” Dewing says.
Inside, you’ll find a handcrafted metal staircase, old-world light fixtures, stone fireplaces, original brick walls, and exposed wood beams.
Dewing says the exterior was “tweaked” to match the English castle style the owner was going for.
“Right now, the interior is very specific,” he adds. “In talking with Arundel, he understands it’s ready for the next buyer to put their stamp on it. We’re guessing the new owner creates their own thing.”
We can always hold out hope that the place maintains its one-of-a-kind vibe and maybe turns into a muggle-friendly brewery after all.
