Overview

The Fifth Street Southeast Historic District is one of the city's first residential developments. Many houses were built for influential residents in popular architectural styles. Well-known architects and builders designed and built several houses. 

• Location: Generally bounded by 4th Avenue Southeast, the alley between 4th and 5th Streets Southeast, 8th Avenue Southeast, and the alley between 5th and 6th Streets Southeast 
• Neighborhood: Marcy-Holmes 

Map and guidelines

See the map and design guidelines for this district

Historic profile

The Fifth Street Southeast Historic District is one of the city's first residential developments. Many houses were built for influential residents in popular architectural styles. Well-known architects and builders designed and built several houses.

Early residents built their houses to be near the flour and milling industries. These industries had developed along the Mississippi River. Some were professionals, including business owners, an architect, and a doctor. Others held a variety of middle-class jobs. University of Minnesota faculty and students have also lived here. Residents have a history of being civically engaged.

This area grew steadily as the city grew. Housing filled vacant lots. Most of the houses were single-family. Some became multi-family rentals soon after they were built. This trend continues today. The area historically had two churches. One still exists and is a community gathering space.

Many of the houses reflect the Queen Anne style, which was popular in the late 1800s. There are also a few examples of Second Empire, Italianate, and Richardsonian Romanesque. As time passed, other styles were introduced. There are also Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, Craftsman, and Prairie School houses. Architects who designed more than one house in the district include Ernest Haley, Ernest Kennedy, and the Orff Brothers. Frank G. McMillan, Charles Haglin, and J. and W.A. Elliott were among the builders.