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The Builders Outreach Foundation...Making a Difference One Home at a Time
The Builders Outreach Foundation is the charitable arm of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC), and has been constructing homes for low-income families since 1994. A primary focus for the Foundation’s work is the Frogtown area of St. Paul. The Foundation has completed homes within a few block radius for over a dozen families who otherwise would not be able to enjoy the benefits of homeownership, helping to improve the neighborhood in the process.
By replacing vacant lots and dilapidated housing stock with well-constructed new homes which welcome homeowners who take pride in their residence and their neighborhood, the Foundation is fulfilling their mission of making a difference one home at a time. “The City of Saint Paul is thankful that the Builders Outreach Foundation has chosen to bring their work to the Frogtown area,” said St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. “Now families that otherwise couldn't afford to own are proudly taking care of their new homes and improving the entire neighborhood."
While the Frogtown projects are at the core of its work, the Foundation has also partnered with other local charities and agencies across the region like Habitat for Humanity and Homeward?Bound. Through industry volunteers and builder partners, the Foundation has brought their unique expertise to the construction of new and existing homes across the Twin CIties. The Foundation’s most recent partnership was with Project for Pride in Living at their new Lowell Curve Homes neighborhood in Minneapolis. With Builder Partner Lake Country Builders, the Foundation completed a beautiful, affordable home which was sold earlier this summer.
The Foundation also remodeled an injured Iraqi war veteran’s home last spring. Remodeler Partners Flynn Construction and New Spaces plus dozens of BATC member firms completely renovated the home of Kyle Anderson, a heroic Marine who suffered a traumatic brain injury while serving in Iraq.
To achieve its goals, the Foundation relies upon the time and energy of many, many BATC members as well as a variety of funding sources.. Since 2001, Builder Partners for each new home have served as project managers, ensuring each home is well-constructed and completed in a timely manner. These companies, as well as many of their subcontractors and vendors, donate incredible amounts of time and materials to these projects.
You can also help the Foundation accomplish its goals in its most popular fund-raising program, the Parade of HomesSM Dream Home project. Visitors to these fabulous homes and remodeled projects during each Parade of HomesSM
This fall, you can help give the gift of homeownership simply by visiting either of our two incredible Dream Remodeled Homes and making a donation of $5.00 at the door. Just turn the page for information and directions to our two beautiful Dream Remodeled Homes.
Dream Remodeled Home #2
Marquis Construction & Development LLC
2702 Deer Ridge NE, Blaine
Whole House and Addition
From Ordinary to Exceptional
This incredible whole house project began when Marquis Construction’s client expressed their desire for an updated exterior with new windows and a need for more living and storage space. Through their comprehensive design process, Marquis examined the family’s lifestyle, tastes and desires, creating a plan that is truly deserving of the title Dream?Remodeled Home.
The exterior was transformed completely — from ordinary to exceptional. New Marvin Ultimate windows, James Hardie® fiber cement siding and plenty of cultured stone create a graceful facade that is both welcoming and low maintenance. The new oversized two-stall garage further enhances the home’s curb appeal from the outside, and offers lots of storage plus a unique bonus room above.
The completely remodeled main level combines comfort, function and aesthetics perfectly. A new mud room buffers the main floor from the rear entry. A delightful office comes complete with furniture-grade Cherry cabinets. Cherry extends into the fabulous kitchen with gorgeous granite countertops, professional-grade appliances, and exotic Cumaru wood floors. This level is completed by finishing both staircases with custom-built Cherry stair treads and an over-the-top rail system accented with enameled risers and spindles.
Inside the oversized, climate-controlled garage is completely finished and painted with cedar trim and a new patented epoxy floor. Above is an exquisite Bonus Room finished for the ultimate in entertaining. Knotty Alder graces the cabinets and custom stone fireplace, granite tops the bar, and three plasma TVs make this space rival any sports bar for ambiance. Even better, pressurized beer lines supply beverages from a refrigerator in the garage below.
The family private quarters were also completely redefined for comfort and beauty. The owners’ bath is a perfect retreat with its 72-inch remote controlled whirlpool tub, custom walk-in shower, his and hers vanities, plasma television and surround sound.
Finally, the finishing touch to this upper bracket home is more than 800 square feet of Procell composite decking with a signature glass rail system and six 12-foot stone columns.
Marquis Construction, a design and build remodeler is in the business of exceeding expectations. ?Their family-owned company has been in the construction and remodeling business for more than 20 years with clients whom agree they are professional, reliable, and conscientious. Marquis understands the importance of good communication, and prides themselves on transforming homes from wishful thinking to reality while delivering projects on time and within budget.
Marquis projects include whole house remodels, kitchens, baths, basements, replacements (including windows, roofs, and siding), additions such as decks, family rooms, and porches, as well as transformations of the home’s exterior and landscaping. Licensed and insured and a member of the Builder’s Association and Better Business Bureau, Marquis is committed to state-of-the-art construction with the craftsman’s touch.
You’ll find much more to love here, so don’t miss this fabulous Dream Remodeled Home, and your $5.00 donation will go entirely to the good works of the Builders Outreach Foundation.
Dream Remodeled Home #71
Open Air Concepts, Inc.
1724 Colfax Avenue South, Minneapolis
Whole House
Victorian Preservation Goes Green
By Nikki Nau
This dilapidated home, converted to a triplex in its failing years, was given new life with a whole-house remodel that will be certified as a Leadership of Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the U.S. Green Building Council and is pending certification under Minnesota GreenStar.
Because the home was designated as “historically significant” by the City of Minneapolis, the new owners felt determined to renovate the home to its original charm, but with advanced energy efficient systems and materials. To help with this challenge, they turned to Open Air Concepts because of that company’s knowledge and experience in green remodeling techniques and materials.
The project began with historic design research to blend the Queen Anne Victorian exterior with an Italianate-inspired Victorian addition. The neighborhood association and City of Minneapolis Historic Preservation Committee enthusiastically approved the resulting architectural design.
The original single-family floor plan was expanded, adding dramatic features such as:
• A main floating switch-back staircase, and a custom-built, double-helix, spiral staircase.
• A master suite that includes a home office overlooking the Minneapolis skyline.
• Statuary white marble floors in the upstairs laundry room and bathrooms.
The added living space showcases spectacular appointments like:
• A two and a half story turret staircase that leads to a rooftop terrace overlooking the downtown Minneapolis skyline.
• Luxurious lifestyle amenities such as an indoor gym and a theater.
• A unique glass-walled addition that connects the original home to a three car garage.
Contemporary lighting, automatic faucets and Dornbracht fixtures enhance the charm of this historic home. The kitchen and bathrooms are graced by granite countertops, and Dijon gold limestone and marble flooring.
Some of the most significant features are less obvious. Medium density fiberboard (MDF) and finger jointed millwork re-use wood scraps to preserve standing trees. No and low volatile organic compound (VOC) finishes will protect the health of the inhabitants and the environment. No-added formaldehyde cabinetry maintains indoor air quality. The energy efficiency level surpasses LEED certification standards.
Serious structural challenges were encountered during the remodel. The entire house had to be jacked up while a new foundation was dug underneath it. Ten-foot walls were then poured to create a livable lower level. The central load wall had to be completely rebuilt so the house would sit level on the new foundation. Later, the newly-framed house began to lean to one side from the weight of the unstable original chimney. These and other challenges had to be solved creatively by contractor Jake Nau of Open Air Concepts, while maintaining design goals and green remodel standards.
This amazing 6,000 finished square foot historic home culminates the dreams of the homeowners, the vision of the remodeler, and the hopes of the neighbors: an original Queen Anne Victorian preserved with LEED silver certification and MN GreenStar standards to ensure high energy efficiency with low environmental impact.
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