Neighborhood Series: Cathedral Hill, Saint Paul

Kicking off our Twin Cities neighborhood series, we're starting with one of our all time favorite spots in Saint Paul - Cathedral Hill, where Summit Avenue and Selby Avenue meet. And though we may be biased (since our office is located in the heart of Cathedral Hill), we never cease to appreciate all that this area has to offer - from the historical background, charming local businesses, and our friendly neighbors. Said by Visit Saint Paul "As if the Cathedral of Saint Paul was not regal enough, the ivy-covered facades and fine dining establishments on Cathedral Hill embellish one of the city's most charming areas." We couldn't agree more. Click here to check out listings in Cathedral Hill.

Starting in the 1870s, Cathedral Hill began to take shape: big houses, fine stone buildings, and sweeping views. Much of the original elegance of the late 19th century remains, and you can truly appreciate the history with a simple stroll down Selby Avenue.

This stunning Roman Catholic Cathedral is the Co-Cathedral to the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis. It dominates the Saint Paul skyline, overlooking downtown. We're lucky enough to enjoy the view of this architectural wonder directly down the street from our office on Selby. It features a distinctive copper-clad dome and is the third largest completed church in the United States, and the fourth tallest.

The Dacotah building went up in 1889 at a cost of $70,000. The following year, New York educated W.A. Frost arrived in Saint Paul and moved his pharmacy to the Dacotah. Frost had a long and distinguished career and was one of the creators of the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. The pharmacy later closed in 1950 and the Cathedral Hill area went into a long decline. Then the Rupp family bought the Dacotah in 1974 and opened W.A. Frost bar and restaurant in 1975. This revived the area as a whole and W.A. Frost has been thriving for over 40 years.

Literature lovers will especially adore this must-see area - F. Scott Fitzgerald's childhood home is located here in a home he once described as, "A house below the average on a street above the average." It's referred to as Summit Terrace, and is part of a rowhouse located at 599 Summit Avenue, and is listed as a National Historic Landmark. The design of the rowhouse was called the "New York Style", where each unit was given a distinctive character similar to rowhouses in eastern cities. Being at the focal point of real estate, you can imagine how much we enjoy this little tid-bit.

W.A. Frost for an epic patio in the spring/summer, Nina's Coffee Cafe for the perfect cup of coffee and a croissant, Red Cow for the best burgers and wings, Revival for trendy Southern comfort food, The Fitz for pizza, grub, and cocktails, The French Hen for Creole-inspired breakfast & lunch, Moscow on the Hill for authentic Russian cuisine and atmosphere.

Idun for quality women's sustainable fashion, Primp Boutique for trendy affordable fashion, Ten Thousand Villages (non-profit) handcrafted products from artisans around the world, The Paper Patisserie for trinkets, stationery and gifts.

Mississippi Market for natural goods and organic foods, Sola Vino for a great selection of wines.

Gem Salon + Spa for a great salon in a cutting-edge space, Fleur de Lis for local blooms, Blooma Yoga for your daily flow.