Saint Paul

If Minneapolis is the city that announces itself, Saint Paul is the one that reveals itself — slowly, beautifully, and in a way that stays with you.

As someone who has worked the entire Twin Cities metro for nearly three decades, I can tell you that Saint Paul holds a very special place in how I understand this market. It is not one neighborhood. It is a collection of distinct, deeply rooted village-like communities — each with its own personality, its own architectural character, its own gathering places — all threaded together by tree-lined streets, river bluffs, and a sense of history that gives this city a weight and a warmth you simply don't find everywhere.

A river town with roots that run deep.

Saint Paul grew up along the Mississippi River, shaped by industry, immigration, and ambition from the 1800s onward. That history is not a relic here — it is visible and present in every neighborhood, every historic mansion, every carefully preserved bungalow and Victorian row house. Summit Avenue is home to 373 of the 440 original Victorian-era homes crafted in the late 1800s through the early 1900s — including the Governor's Mansion, the James J. Hill House, and F. Scott Fitzgerald's former residence. Walking these streets is a genuine architectural experience unlike anything else in the metro.

The neighborhoods are the story.

This is what makes Saint Paul's west side so extraordinary to me personally — the variety of distinct, walkable communities that function like small villages within the larger city. Each one deserves its own introduction, but together they form something remarkable.

Highland Park sits along the river bluffs with a neighborhood business district centered around Ford Parkway and Cleveland Avenue — an eclectic mix of local boutiques, national retailers, coffee shops, and restaurants, with a strong sense of community pride and beloved events like Highland Fest bringing residents together throughout the year.

Macalester-Groveland wraps around the beautiful Macalester College campus with tree-canopied streets, beautifully maintained homes, and the kind of academic-community energy that makes a neighborhood feel both intellectually alive and deeply comfortable.

Crocus Hill and Summit Hill represent Saint Paul's most iconic residential addresses — historic homes, sweeping views, proximity to Grand Avenue's best dining and shopping, and a residential grandeur that has anchored the city's most discerning buyers for well over a century.

Merriam Park carries a quieter, more tucked-away charm — established neighborhoods, mature trees, and a genuinely local feel that rewards the buyer who takes the time to explore.

Real estate that tells the full story of a city.

From historic mansions with original architectural detail to charming bungalows that have been loved for generations to new construction woven carefully into established neighborhoods — Saint Paul's real estate range is genuinely extraordinary. And the value relative to comparable product on the Minneapolis side of the river has always been one of Saint Paul's great secrets. Buyers who approach this market with an open mind consistently find more home, more character, and more history for their investment than they expected.

Grand Avenue and Summit — two of the most iconic stretches in Minnesota.

Running parallel to one another, Grand and Summit Avenues offer visitors an awe-inspiring 4.5-mile architectural experience that is also host to a collection of tasty eateries and one-of-a-kind specialty shops. Grand Avenue in particular is the beating heart of the west side's daily life — coffee in the morning, lunch with a friend, a leisurely afternoon of boutique shopping, dinner that could be world-class or wonderfully casual. It is, in my opinion, one of the most genuinely enjoyable streets to spend a day on in the entire Twin Cities.

A city built for people who love where they live.

I have clients who moved to Saint Paul twenty-five years ago thinking they'd stay a few years and are still there. That is not an accident. This is a city that gets into people — its walkability, its beauty, its river, its neighborhoods, its food, its community pride. Once you feel it, it's very hard to leave.

Saint Paul — Where to Eat

W.A. Frost & Company
Housed in the turn-of-the-century Dacotah Building in the heart of the historic Cathedral Hill District, W.A. Frost has been a Saint Paul dining institution since 1975 — featuring grand wood-burning fireplaces, a charming bar, and the most celebrated European-style garden patio in the city. Whether it's burgers on the stunning patio in summer or a six-course tasting menu next to a roaring fireplace in winter, Frost is a singular experience. This is one of my all-time favorites anywhere in the Twin Cities.

The Lexington
The Lexington opened in 1935 after the end of Prohibition on the corner of Lexington Parkway and Grand Avenue — a neighborhood where St. Paul's elite once lived just blocks away. For decades "The Lex" was the place to be seen, host to business dealings, cocktail hours, and milestone celebrations for St. Paul socialites. Today the elevated menu brings back supper club favorites like the relish tray, chicken pot pie, and popovers alongside new interpretations of classics — including a rightfully famous Smoked Chicken Pot Pie and splurge-worthy dishes like Steak Diane and Lobster Spaghetti. Nearly a century on Grand Avenue and still earning every bit of its reputation.

Bread & Chocolate
A Grand Avenue morning tradition since 1982 — one of the very first coffee shops to open in Saint Paul, sitting right on Grand Avenue across from its sister restaurant, Café Latté. Far more than a simple bakery, this beloved destination blends the roles of top-tier coffee shop, cozy breakfast spot, and satisfying lunch restaurant — with the legendary Famous Turtle Cake among its most celebrated offerings. Starting a morning on Grand Avenue without stopping here feels genuinely incomplete.

Moscow on the Hill
One of Saint Paul's most distinctive dining experiences — Russian cuisine in a historic Cathedral Hill setting complete with live accordion, pelmeni, cabbage rolls, and a shot of horseradish vodka if you're feeling festive. There is nothing else quite like it in the Twin Cities.

The Nook
Perched on the edge of Highland Park and Mac-Groveland, The Nook doesn't claim to have invented the Jucy Lucy but many savvy food folks around town will whisper it may just be the best — with fresh-cut fries and a basement bowling alley that make it a destination worth visiting in its own right.

Café Latté
The beloved Grand Avenue institution directly across from Bread & Chocolate — cafeteria-style, unpretentious, and consistently outstanding. The wine list surprises people. The desserts are legendary. The lines are worth it.

The Breweries
Saint Paul's craft brewery scene adds another dimension to an already rich dining and social landscape. From Burning Brothers to Tin Whiskers to Summit Brewing right in the city — there is a genuine culture of local craft here that reflects a community that takes its leisure seriously.

Saint Paul — Where to Shop

Grand Avenue is the anchor of everything and simply one of the best shopping streets in Minnesota. A bustling business district that serves as a playground for nearby residents and excited visitors — home to longstanding cafes, flavorful global cuisine, and boutique shopping experiences across its entire walkable stretch.

Grand Hand Gallery
Located at the far eastern end of Grand Avenue, Grand Hand Gallery is a curated art gallery divided into two rooms — the first showcasing hand-crafted ceramics and wooden goods, the second feeling like stepping into a museum with paintings and artwork throughout. One of the most beautiful stops on the street.

Atelier957
A fantastic shopping choice for sleek, elegant women's clothing — with an impressive selection inside a two-story Victorian home that makes it classically Grand Avenue. The setting alone is worth the visit.

GoodThings
A massive and hugely popular gift shop near the intersection of Grand Avenue and Lexington — home to trendy and classic home décor, gifts, tabletop, entertaining essentials, and one-of-a-kind finds that keep regulars coming back to see what's new.

The Golden Fig
One of the best shops on Grand Avenue — packed with locally sourced goodies from Minnesota suppliers including sauces, snacks, drink mixers, and famous spice and dip packets, put together by some of the friendliest staff on the street. A love letter to Minnesota makers in retail form.

Anthropologie
The big green storefront takes up almost an entire block near the heart of Grand Avenue — filled with a huge variety of womenswear and home décor, with staff that always seems genuinely helpful. A familiar anchor in an unfamiliar-in-the-best-way setting.

Red Balloon Bookshop
Housed in an adorable home on Grand Avenue, awarded the city's best children's bookstore — the perfect whimsical location for what's sold inside. The kind of independent bookshop that reminds you why local retail matters and why Saint Paul has always understood that.

Saint Paul — At a Glance

The Commute & Location: As the state capital, Saint Paul offers a distinctly historic, European architectural flair. Governed logistically by I-94 and I-35E, a commute from the beautiful mansions of Summit Avenue into downtown Saint Paul takes 5 minutes, while reaching downtown Minneapolis takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

The School District: Served by Saint Paul Public Schools (ISD 625), featuring exceptional language immersion and classical academies. Saint Paul is also highly famous for its concentration of elite, historic private institutions, including St. Paul Academy (SPA), Minnehaha Academy, and Cretin-Derham Hall.

The Corporate Connection: Saint Paul is home to the global headquarters of Ecolab and Travelers Insurance, and sits immediately adjacent to the massive 3M global headquarters campus in Maplewood, driving a steady stream of executive housing demand.

The Neighbors: Bordered by the Mississippi River to the south and west, Saint Paul connects directly to Minneapolis and the premium southeastern river communities like Mendota Heights.