St. Paul, Minnesota
RSI provided evaluation, design and construction administration services for the roof, gutter, and soffit stabilization of the historic James J Hill House in St. Paul, Minnesota. The design incorporated a blend of old world, traditional look with 21st century engineering knowledge. Throughout the design process special consideration was given to maintaining the building’s historical correctness. The final cost totaled $931,275.00 including construction and landscaping for the three acre estate.
The house, built by James J. Hill, was completed in 1891. Hill’s fortune was built on his ownership of the Great Northern Railway and his many other pursuits. His mansion was the largest, most expensive home in Minnesota. It contained 36,000 square feet on five floors and included 13 bathrooms, 22 fireplaces, 16 crystal chandeliers, a two-story sky lit art gallery, and a 100-foot reception area featuring a profusion of elaborately carved oak and mahogany woodwork.
Hill was very fussy about his home and who worked on it. He rejected stained-glass window designs by Tiffany and Company, saying they were “anything but what I want”, and replaced the architects when they ignored his orders to the stone cutters.
The building is now owned by the Minnesota Historical Society and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
