East Isles, Minneapolis Explained

Official Name:East Isles
Settlement Type:Neighborhood
Mapsize:200px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Type3:City
Subdivision Type4:Community
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Name1:Minnesota
Subdivision Name2:Hennepin
Subdivision Name3:Minneapolis
Subdivision Name4:Calhoun-Isles
Seat Type:City Council Wards
Seat:7, 10
Leader Title:Council Member
Leader Name:Katie Cashman
Leader Title1:Council Member
Leader Name1:Aisha Chughtai
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:1849
Unit Pref:US
Area Total Sq Mi:0.332
Area Footnotes:[1]
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:3,702
Population Density Sq Mi:auto
Population Footnotes:[2]
Timezone:CST
Utc Offset:-6
Timezone Dst:CDT
Utc Offset Dst:-5
Elevation Ft:849
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:55405, 55408
Area Code:612

East Isles is a neighborhood within the larger Calhoun Isles community in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.

It lies between Hennepin Avenue to the east, Lake of the Isles to the west, West Lake Street to the south, and West 22nd Street to the north. Together with parts of Lowry Hill East and other nearby neighborhoods, East Isles is part of the larger, unofficial, Uptown neighborhood. It is mostly located in Ward 7, represented by council member Katie Cashman; A few blocks on the far south of the neighborhood are in Ward 10, represented by Aisha Chughtai.[3]

The neighborhood was originally a part of the more historically affluent neighborhoods around Lake of the Isles: Kenwood and Lowry Hill. However, since the 1940s, it has become more urbanized than the rest of the community, since numerous apartment buildings have been built in the area. Old mansions still can be found in the neighborhood.[4]

History

Architects William Gray Purcell and George Grant Elmslie designed the Catherine Gray House in this neighborhood, at 2409 Lake of the Isles Boulevard; it is currently owned by Brian and Mary Longe. Purcell built the Catherine Gray House (his first project) for his grandmother, who funded the project to help Purcell and Elmslie launch their new firm. Purcell lived in the house with his grandmother until he married his wife Edna. After many years of alterations and much white paint, the house had lost most of its Prairie School characteristics. The Longes completed an extensive historical restoration to the exterior in 2005-2006, returning it to its original appearance. It is a fine example of early Prairie School in Minneapolis.

Behind the Catherine Gray House, on Lake Place, is another significant project by Purcell & Elmslie - the Purcell-Cutts House. The Purcell-Cutts House was originally called the Edna Purcell House, named for his wife. Purcell and his wife lived in this home and raised their two sons there. The Cutts family bought the house years later and lived there for many years. They donated the home to the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The home is now operated as a museum and is open to the public for tours. Signs denoting the neighborhood incorporate the window designs of this house.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: East Isles neighborhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota (MN), 55405, 55408 detailed profile . 2011 . . 2013-11-12.
  2. Web site: East Isles neighborhood data . Minnesota Compass . 2023-02-19.
  3. Web site: Find My Ward . City of Minneapolis . 23 April 2024.
  4. Web site: East Isles neighborhood... Between the lake and coffee shops galore | HomesMSP | Real Estate Minneapolis . 2021-11-09. homesmsp.com . 18 November 2012 .