Eastcliff (mansion)
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{no footnotes|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Edward and Markell Brooks House
| nrhp_type =
| image = Eastcliff Mansion, 2025.jpg
| caption = Eastcliff residence in 2025
| location = 176 N. Mississippi River Blvd.
St. Paul, Minnesota
| nearest_city =
| coordinates = {{coord|44|56|47|N|93|11|54|W|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin = Minnesota#USA
| area =
| built = 1921
| architect = Clarence H. Johnston Sr.; Clarence H. Johnston Jr.
| architecture = Colonial Revival
| added = June 15, 2000
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| refnum = 00000689
| mpsub =
}}
Eastcliff is a 20-room house overlooking the Mississippi River in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States, which serves as the official residence of the president of the University of Minnesota system. It was first built in 1922 by local lumber magnate Edward Brooks Sr. and donated to the university by the Brooks family in 1958, beginning its service as the president's official residence in 1960 when O. Meredith Wilson took the position. In 2000, the home was added to the National Register of Historic Places.{{Cite web |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/a87bac90-5eee-4e2f-b00d-8222d72717d9 |access-date=September 16, 2023 |website=National Park Service |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622205814/https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/a87bac90-5eee-4e2f-b00d-8222d72717d9 |url-status=live }}
Today, it is the most-visited public residence in the state (outpacing the Minnesota Governor's Residence), often hosting events five days a week. Eastcliff hosts 150+ events and 8,000 guests each year.{{Cite web |title=Eastcliff |url=https://president.umn.edu/eastcliff |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504165759/https://president.umn.edu/eastcliff |archive-date=May 4, 2023 |website=Office of the President of the University of Minnesota}}
In July 2024, the University of Minnesota Board of Regents voted to recommend that the University continue to preserve and enhance the historic Eastcliff residence with private philanthropy funding through the University of Minnesota Foundation.{{Cite web |last=Halbach |first=Ashley |date=2024-07-22 |title=U of M to hold on to Eastcliff residence, changing funding source |url=https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/u-of-m-to-hold-on-to-eastcliff-residence-changing-funding-source/ |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News |language=en-US}} The University of Minnesota Foundation seeks to raise $10.5M for immediate operations and capital improvements as well as establish an endowment that will be used to cover annual operating expenses in the future.{{Cite web |last=Navratil |first=Liz |date=2024-07-10 |title=Wanted: $10.5M to help maintain the University of Minnesota’s presidential mansion |url=https://www.startribune.com/wanted-someone-to-donate-105-million-to-help-maintain-the-us-presidential-mansion/600379735 |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=www.startribune.com |language=en}}
Presidents
The following is a list of university presidents who have resided at Eastcliff:
- O. Meredith Wilson
- Malcolm Moos
- C. Peter Magrath
- Kenneth Keller
- Nils Hasselmo
- Mark Yudof
- Robert H. Bruininks
- Eric W. Kaler
- Joan T.A. Gabel
Before Eastcliff became the president's residence, Pillsbury House, built in 1877, was the official residence.
Property
The building was designed in the Georgian colonial style by Clarence H. Johnston Sr., a close friend of Brooks and an architect who had designed many buildings at the university to fit a master plan by Cass Gilbert. Numerous renovations took place over the years, though repair efforts did not keep pace with wear and tear. In 1988, extensive repairs began on the house, but unforeseen problems caused costs to double. The ensuing outcry contributed to the exit of president Kenneth Keller from office.{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Brian |date=December 13, 2018 |title=U plans Eastcliff repairs before new president moves in |work=Finance & Commerce |url=https://finance-commerce.com/2018/12/u-plans-eastcliff-repairs-before-new-president-moves-in/ |access-date=September 16, 2023}}
The main house is 10,000 square feet, with the entire property encompassing 20,000 square feet including the carriage house and summer house.{{Cite news |last=Navratil |first=Liz |date=December 24, 2022 |title=End of an era for Eastcliff? University of Minnesota considers selling presidential mansion |url=https://www.startribune.com/university-of-minnesota-considers-selling-eastcliff-presidential-mansion-or-seeking-private-funding/600238574/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225002141/https://www.startribune.com/university-of-minnesota-considers-selling-eastcliff-presidential-mansion-or-seeking-private-funding/600238574/ |archive-date=25 Dec 2022 |work=Star Tribune}} The property value is estimated at $3.1 million, according to Ramsey County property tax records.{{Cite web |title=Property Tax |url=https://beacon.schneidercorp.com/application.aspx?AppID=959&LayerID=18852&PageTypeID=4&PageID=8397&Q=219908583&KeyValue=052823210028 |access-date=September 16, 2023 |website=Ramsey County}} The property is 1.6 acres.
In 2010, $550,000 in renovations were planned after the departure of President Bruininks.{{Cite news |last=Selcke |first=Taylor |date=November 11, 2010 |title=Board to approve Eastcliff renovations |work=Minnesota Daily |url=https://mndaily.com/239142/news/metro-state/board-approve-eastcliff-renovations/ |access-date=September 16, 2023 |archive-date=December 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205013011/https://mndaily.com/239142/news/metro-state/board-approve-eastcliff-renovations/ |url-status=live }} The renovations were approved by the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office and the Brooks family, who owned the property.
In 2018, $1 million in renovations were planned after the departure of President Eric Kaler.
Governor's residence
On July 10, 2023, Governor Tim Walz's family moved into Eastcliff while the Minnesota Governor's Residence undergoes renovations. The mansion was unoccupied at the time after President Gabel's resignation. The Walz family is expected to stay at Eastcliff for 18 months.{{cite web |last1=Steil |first1=Alex |title=Walz, family move into Eastcliff |url=https://mndaily.com/278042/news/walz-family-move-into-eastcliff/ |website=Minnesota Daily |access-date=5 September 2023 |archive-date=23 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723230851/https://mndaily.com/278042/news/walz-family-move-into-eastcliff/ |url-status=live }} The state of Minnesota is paying $4,400{{Cite news |date=April 21, 2023 |title=Gov. Walz may rent UMN presidents' home instead of house on Sunfish Lake |work=Twin Cities Pioneer Press |url=https://www.twincities.com/2023/04/21/gov-walz-may-rent-umn-presidents-home-instead-of-house-on-sunfish-lake/ |access-date=September 16, 2023}} in monthly rent, and is also responsible for "direct costs such as utilities, snow removal and lawn care."{{Cite web |date=April 21, 2023 |title=U of M, State consider agreement for Governor Walz and family to temporarily use Eastcliff |url=https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/u-m-state-consider-agreement-governor-walz-and-family-temporarily-use-eastcliff |access-date=September 16, 2023 |website=University of Minnesota News and Events |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920040212/https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/u-m-state-consider-agreement-governor-walz-and-family-temporarily-use-eastcliff |url-status=live }}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
- {{cite web|date=2006-02-25|author=Mary Jane Smetanka|title=They're spiffing up Eastcliff|url=http://www.startribune.com/1592/story/269816.html|work=Star Tribune|access-date=2006-02-25}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}
External links
- [http://www1.umn.edu/pres/eastcliff/ University of Minnesota: Eastcliff]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20111122072056/http://www.mndaily.com/2011/11/21/eastcliff-mansion-kalers-share-space-public The Minnesota Daily: In Eastcliff mansion, Kalers share space with public]
- [http://oncampus.mpr.org/2011/11/this-old-university-of-minnesota-house-a-peek-inside-eastcliff/ MPR News: This old University of Minnesota house: a peek inside Eastcliff]
- [http://www.minnpost.com/learning-curve/2011/11/new-u-president-installed-time-eastcliff-faq Minnpost: With new U president installed, time for Eastcliff FAQ]
{{University of Minnesota campus}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota}}
Category:Colonial Revival architecture in Minnesota
Category:Houses completed in 1922
Category:Houses in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Category:Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Category:University and college buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota