Conception & Construction

2323 Monroe is located in the North East Arts District in Minneapolis.  Fully Furnished. This neighborhood is a very eclectic location where you can walk to the bank, food co-op, groceries, Home Depot, Office Max etc.  Bike trails are nearby. You may also walk to at least 10 fabulous restaurants and the bus line.  One mile from downtown. It cost 2.25 to get to the airport on the light rail.  The property  is owned by Barbara Bridges, a sculptor and online state university professor.

The sublet includes a wonderful private back yard with a meditation sitting pool and bbq area (CLick here to view yard), 2 bedrooms (with a 3rd bedroom on the 3rd floor walk up), dining room, and small deck. There is a large king bed in the bedroom  and the other bedroom is my office with a lazer printer.  The bath has a 10 jet jacuzzi  tub. The rental includes  a  50″ screen with HBO and Netflix, high speed internet, call anywhere unlimited land line, water trash and gas. You pay the electric (air conditioning).  The living room has a $4,000.00 orthopedic chair which has electronic foot rest where Barbara teaches for many hours.  The  apartment has space air conditioners so you can cool which ever room you choose  and a cozy gas fireplace for those cool nights.   You can see an Urban Veggie Garden on the front lawn (put to bed for winter), you are welcome to throw a few tomatoes, beans and cukes in.  There are also, blackberries, rhubarb, strawberries, blueberries and a Macintosh apple tree on the property.

The property has a garage studio and a wood shop that you are welcome to use if you wish. YOUR OWN RISK.

A credit and criminal background check will be completed for a successful rental candidate.

Tips from renters: we found a couple of audio-guided walking tours of NE Minneapolis that we have done. They were recorded a number of years ago and of course some things have changed but they are a great way for people like us to become more knowledgeable to the history of NE Minneapolis. If you ever have guests that are interested in the tours, they can be found at: http://newalkingtours.com

MAp of my favorite places. Double click to enlarge.

Please scroll below for pictures. Double click to enlarge.

 

The dining room has a custom
designed glass table with
individual sculpture chairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Living room with

fly-me-to-the-moon chair

 

 

 

 

Couch in living

room-art everywhere.

 

 

 

Breakfast table in the
morning sun.
Deck in view.

 

 

 

Nice kitchen with tile

installation and

granite counters.

 

 

Artist lived in the
Caribbean.

Shell installation.

 

 

 

 

Environmental tub

complete with

music.

 

 

 

 

I am a self-admitted pillow princess.

The king size bed is top of the line.

 

 

SCULPTURAL RAILING CREATED FROM MISSISSIPPI RIVER WOOD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas 2015

The Eclectic home was perfect for us. We loved the artwork, color schemes, cosiness of the propane heater/ fireplace, and comfy sleeping. The jetted tub was an added bonus, as was the artwork in the backyard. Our hostess even left coffee supplies and cream in the fridge to welcome us. We had quiet, peaceful evenings (it’s a nice neighborhood) and spent our Xmas there, where we felt… at home. There were linens and crystal available for our holiday dinner table, and a kitchen with marble counters to cook in. Oh, and we also enjoyed using the large screen TV to catch up on our favorite shows. My daughter and I loved spending our week at the eclectic retreat, and would love to stay here in the future, if it is available. We met with our hostess once, and she was friendly, kind, and very gracious. I highly recommend the Eclectic Apartment as a retreat for your Inner Artist.”

Testimony from Summer 2015

2323 Monroe was perfect for our stay during the summer of 2015. Its location in NE Minneapolis was central to most of the places we visited frequently and has good access to local stores, unique restaurants, and services. The neighbors were friendly and we enjoyed getting to know the NE Minneapolis neighborhood, an artistic treasure and culturally diversified community that we were not very familiar with despite having lived in the Twin Cities area most of our lives. We enjoyed learning about the history of NE Minneapolis and getting involved in the community. Dennis

2323 was comfortable and met our needs very well. Barbara, the owner, and her local caretaker checked periodically throughout our stay to make sure that everything was OK. We enjoyed the gardens of berries and flowers and space where you can plant a few things of your own if you care to. The shaded areas with places to sit in the front and back yards were nice as was the balcony off the living area that is open to the sun. We enjoyed the eclectic finish of the home and appreciated the Direct TV satellite service, reliable terrestrial-based Internet service, and phone service if it had been needed. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at 2323 Monroe and would be pleased if all of our stays in various places were as comfortable and enjoyable as this past summer was.  Betty V.

Testimony  Summer 2014 Diane Kelly
I needed a place to stay for a short period of time and consider myself SO lucky to have happened onto Barbara’s home. Barbara’s eclectic decorating and artistic style is showcased in her home which you will see as soon as the mannequin in the porch greets you. From the minute I walked through her place I knew that I wanted to stay in this funky, artistic house. Her home stands out on the street as the “blue” house surrounded by gardens that make you feel like you are in a green oasis in NE Mpls. In the summer, I have the urge to get my hands in the dirt and loved picking strawberries, blueberries and making roasted tomato sauce from the tomatoes and pepper plants in the front garden.

Since I am not artistically inclined, I was fascinated and enjoyed constantly discovering things that Barbara has made and is displayed throughout her home and the gardens. If I was so inclined, there would have been ample opportunity to be inspired and make something in one of her workshops or craft room. Her home is so unique and staying there was very therapeutic for me; working in her gardens, being greeted by friendly neighbors and walking to fantastic restaurants and shopping nearby.
I spent hours sitting in the back yard and the second story deck, listening to the birds, visiting with friends and enjoying the serenity I felt while being there.
I loved the beautiful staircase and leaded glass windows that are original to this place. Renovating an older home is not for me so being able to stay in one was a great opportunity. I felt completely safe and secure in this place and am so grateful I had a chance to stay here.

Testimony Winter 2015
“Living at 2323 Monroe was both a colorful and convenient experience. After accepting an internship offer in downtown Minneapolis, I was very fortunate to find this home away from home for my brief stay in the city. This cozy, Northeast bungalow is located a few blocks away from markets and restaurants +bus stops that will take you straight to downtown Minneapolis in 10-15 minutes. Barbara has created a unique apartment at 2323 Monroe that is very different from living in a white-walled cracker box, and she was very helpful with my questions regarding both the apartment and the city.”   Alex Evenson

Gallery