For the true connoisseur of Gilded Age architecture, few locations carry as much mythic status as the Healy Block Historic District in Minneapolis. Built during the peak of the late-19th-century boom, this preserved enclave represents the finest collection of Queen Anne homes in the Midwest. Standing proudly as a crown jewel of this neighborhood is the John & Maria Broom House at 3111 2nd Ave S.
Priced at $350,000, this monumental 3,900-square-foot Victorian estate is a direct creation of master builder Theron P. Healy. Known for his whimsical, high-artistry approach to residential design, this home offers an incredible opportunity to inherit an intact architectural masterpiece.
The Genius of T.P. Healy: Whimsical Exterior Detailing
Theron P. Healy was Minneapolis’s premier Victorian builder, celebrated for incorporating highly individualistic, playful elements into his facades. The Broom House showcases some of his most famous signature traits:
The Towerless Cap: The home features a grand gabled roofline equipped with a distinctive tower cap that sits elegantly without an actual tower below it—a classic, playful Healy architectural signature.
Intricate Spindlework & Millwork: The expansive, open front porch serves as a welcoming outdoor room, beautifully framed by dense, custom-carved fretwork panels along the base and delicate spindle supports above.
Curved Fenestration: Elaborate curved and multi-pane transom windows break up the masonry and siding lines, filtering ambient light into the interior parlors.
A Rhythmic Interior of Rich Hardwoods and Fretwork
Cross the threshold through the massive, original double oak front doors to find a breathtaking entry foyer that feels entirely untouched by time. The layout is unapologetically, grandly Victorian, boasting soaring coved ceilings and an abundance of rich natural millwork:
Inlaid Artistry: Gleaming hardwood floors run underfoot, accented by intricate, geometric inlaid wood borders that define the formal traffic patterns.
Architectural Screens: Towering pocket doors slide open to reveal the main living and sitting rooms, beautifully divided by spectacular, hand-carved open wood fretwork screens that frame the transition between spaces.
The Ebonized Dining Hall: Serving as the home’s atmospheric centerpiece, the formal dining room is clad in rare, dramatic ebonized wainscoting and heavy trimwork, complete with its original built-in buffet mirrors and leaded glass cabinets.
Light-Filled Sunrooms and Gracious Suites
Directly off the formal dining hall lies a stunning, southeast-facing sunroom. Clad in vintage tile work, it features intricately framed stained-glass windows that capture the morning sun, casting warm, colorful hues across the main floor. Moving toward the rear, the culinary space has been mindfully modernized to respect the home’s historic soul, offering a massive butcher block center island, open floating shelves, and updated stainless steel appliances.
A sweeping staircase leads to the second level, which houses all 5 expansive bedrooms:
The Owner’s Promenade: Positioned prominently at the front of the home, the primary suite is a light-filled sanctuary anchored by a massive three-window bay alcove and a dedicated private dressing room.
The Vintage Bath: The large family bathroom retains its old-world soul, combining original mosaic tile work with a deep, historic clawfoot soaking tub.
The Unfinished Vault: Need more space? A full walk-up staircase leads to a massive, unfinished third-floor attic, offering robust structural storage or a clean slate for a future grand ballroom, home theater, or primary penthouse suite expansion.
Property At A Glance
Price: $350,000
Size: 3,900 sq. ft. | 5 Beds | 2 Baths
Lot Size: 5,662 sq. ft. | Walk-up Attic | Main Floor Sunroom
History: Built in 1891 by T.P. Healy | John & Maria Broom House | Healy Block Historic District
To own a home on the Healy Block is to become a dedicated steward of Minneapolis’s golden architectural age. With its mechanical systems stable and its museum-quality millwork completely intact, the John & Maria Broom House is entirely ready for its next great chapter of love and restoration.
Zillow link https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3111-2nd-Ave-S-Minneapolis-MN-55408/1710756_zpid/
Source: NorthstarMLS as distributed by MLS GRID,MLS#: 7030344