Renovating Excelsior's House on the Hill

One step into the first house built in Excelsior, and owner Kris Olson knew it was her family’s next home. “I’d seen it for years because I grew up near Excelsior, but never dreamed that one day it would be ours,” she said. In 1995, Kris moved to Victoria with her husband Greg, their daughter Elise, and son Alec. They began considering a move to Excelsior because they had fallen in love with the small town on the lake and its closer proximity to Greg’s office.

The house was originally built in 1853 by New York architect Robert McGrath when Excelsior was emerging as a resort community, and the list of past owners includes one of the town’s former mayors. Its history and setting atop a small hill gives this classic lake cottage a prominent location.

Known as “Home #7” on the Excelsior Registry of Historic Homes, remodels have robbed the home of its original character. Its glory has since been recaptured from the ground up. The crumbling foundation was removed and new foundation with tuck under garage was added, while the breathtaking four seasons porch and restored fireplace in the great room provide a sense of history. There are period details throughout along with Geothermal heating and cooling.

The Highmark touch has helped recapture its glory from the ground-up.

New masonry foundation with tuck-under garage
Breathtaking four season porch
Restored fireplace in great-room provides a sense of history
On the Excelsior Registry of Historic Homes

See Highmark’s portfolio of historic renovations at right. When you’re ready to discuss a project or plan for your home, email or give us a call at 952-882-8904 to set up a first meeting.

Click a photo to see our portfolio.