More Summit Avenue Kudos for David Heide Design!

One of SARPA's favorite partners just won an award for one of our favorite buildings — the Macalester College Alumni House!

Earlier this month, David Heide Design Studio won a Preservation Award from the Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) and the Saint Paul Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in recognition of the restoration of the property.  

The historic 1926 Georgian Revival residence, once home to Macalester presidents,  now provides accommodations for illustrious visitors—Rosalyn and Jimmy Carter stayed there, as did Macalester alumnus Kofi Annan—and for visiting scholars, prospective students, and families. The house is the college’s doorway—quite literally—onto Saint Paul’s historic Summit Avenue for visitors from around the world.

It hadn’t been touched in 30 years and was showing its age when Macalester hired award-winning architecture and interior design firm David Heide Design Studio to restore the house. “The work required a careful balance,” said firm principal David Heide. “We wanted to preserve the architectural integrity of the house, yet update the interiors with long-lasting, durable, and period-appropriate finishes and furnishings.”

The work began in June 2011. The studio repaired or replaced exterior elements of the house, including the windows, roof, and front stoop, with materials matching the originals. On the inside, updates included new kitchen countertops, plumbing, mechanicals, and a fresh coat of paint throughout. Upstairs, all three guest suites were reconfigured, and four bathrooms were updated with period-appropriate cabinetry, tile, and fixtures.

“Our work gave the interiors the sense of timelessness visitors expect from a historic house and added the modern conveniences they want,” said Heide. “We appreciate Saint Paul HPC’s recognition of our work and Macalester’s commitment not only to the historic architecture of the house itself, but to Summit Avenue and a historic district of the City of Saint Paul. We are indebted to Macalester for investing in a restoration that renews the Alumni House for the next generation.”