Vujovich News / Pillsbury Castle: A Landmark Restored and Ready for Tours

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Pillsbury Castle: A Landmark Restored and Ready for Tours

Join us for the Pillsbury Castle Tours | July 13 - 28th | Wednesdays through Sundays | 116 E 22nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55404

 

Discover the Splendor of Pillsbury Castle

Minneapolis is home to many architectural gems, but few are as iconic as the Pillsbury Castle. This historic property has recently undergone a complete restoration and has been selected as the Design Home 2024 by the American Society of Interior Designers. Contractors were considered based on expertise to participate in such a historic project, which only makes Vujovich Design Build even prouder to have been chosen to make the lower level into a space worthy of the landmark.

And now you can see it too! ASID is hosting exclusive tours of the castle from July 13th to July 28th, Wednesdays through Sundays, so take this unique opportunity to view some of our favorite spots of this historical project. Best of all, come see if you can discover the secret entrance to the prohibition-style speakeasy we’ve been creating!

A Journey Through Time and Design

The Pillsbury Castle, originally built as the family home for Alfred & Eleanor Pillsbury in 1903 by architect Ernest Kennedy, has stood as a testament to Minneapolis' rich history for over a century. This complete restoration project has brought new life to the castle and to the family who will be living there, blending its historic charm with modern luxury and design. Each room tells a beautiful story, from the grand entrance hall to the intimate private quarters. 

With the assistance of an audio guide, the ticketed tours will lead you to all levels of the home and will showcase the meticulous work involved in restoring such a significant landmark and creating spaces for family living and event entertaining.

Vujovich Design Build: Crafting Excellence in Every Detail

Our Vujovich Design Build team focused on transforming the lower level into a multifunctional space that honors the castle's heritage while providing modern amenities. Here are some highlights from our work and craftsman details you will want to see for yourself:

1. The Theater Room: The design for the theater room combines state-of-the-art technology with classic elegance. Gaining entrance through the new custom round-top ebony oak doorway, the leather-walled space is equipped with the latest audio-visual systems, ensuring an immersive cinematic experience. Our favorite part? The massive candy & snack closet located just a few feet away, allowing for instant snacking while relaxing with your favorite movie!  The candy closet is even sweeter with its extra purpose you will want to discover. 

2. The Billiard Room and Library: Evoking a sense of nostalgia and sophistication, the billiard room, which doubles as a library, is a haven for relaxation and entertainment. The billiard table, a centerpiece of the room, is framed by the molded, carved plaster relief ceiling and the original white oak panels assembled without nails using an old-world pegged mortise and tenon joint system. Literally transported from Europe long ago by the Pillsbury family and fully inserted into the basement, the true beauty of this room lies in its details our team helped preserve with true craftsmanship and care.

3. The Hidden Speakeasy: Perhaps the most intriguing part of our project is the hidden speakeasy. Concealed behind a secret door within a library bookcase, this intimate space is designed for exclusive gatherings. The speakeasy features a new barrel-style ceiling, plush seating, and ambient lighting, creating a clandestine retreat reminiscent of the Prohibition era.

Join Us for an Exclusive Tour

We invite you to experience the grandeur of Pillsbury Castle firsthand. The tours, running from July 13th to July 28th, offer a rare glimpse into one of Minneapolis' most treasured landmarks. Whether you are an architecture enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for design inspiration, these tours promise to be an unforgettable experience. Look for one of our Vujovich team members on the lower level if you have more interest in the process to make this kind of transformation possible!

To purchase tickets or learn more about the tours, visit https://www.pillsburycastle.com/tickets. Don’t miss this chance to see the culmination of months of dedicated restoration work by the Vujovich Design Build team!