Overview

The Lee Townhouse is a rare example of a large urban townhouse that still stands.

• Location: 623-25 9^th Street South
• Neighborhood: Elliot Park

Historic profile

The Lee Townhouse is a rare example of a large urban townhouse that still stands. It reflects upper-class housing trends from the late 19th century. This property is part of the Ninth Street South Historic District. It is the only building in the district that was built as a single-family dwelling. In 1894, the townhouse was converted into apartments. It was later converted back into a single-family dwelling.

William H. Lee was a prominent banker. He began working at Hennepin County Savings Bank in 1874 as a teller. He became president of the bank and served until 1927 when the bank merged with Minneapolis Trust Co. Lee lived here with his first wife, Carolyn, until her death in 1897. In 1905, he married Mary Allee Howland. They lived here until the early 1910s.

The house is narrow and long. The first story is clad in red sandstone. The upper two stories are clad in red brick. The front porch faces 9th Street South and has pointed archways. The third-story windows are arched with brick arches above. Along the roofline, there is a cornice with corbelled bricks. Rounded brick pilasters extend above the roofline. These features reflect the Romanesque Revival style.

The house was designed by master architect William Channing Whitney. Whitney was known for designing high-style homes for wealthy Minneapolis clients.