Part 3/10:
Building Wealth and a Dream Home
As the 19th century drew to a close, VanderDusen’s successes enabled him to realize a long-held dream: constructing a grand residence that matched his wealth. In 1891, at age 67, he and his wife Nancy began planning their mansion on an expansive plot near the southwestern edge of Minneapolis, close to the exclusive neighborhood of Loring Park.
Consulting the architecture firm Orff and Joralemon, they envisioned a sprawling 12,000-square-foot city estate. Completed in 1893, the VanderDusen residence would stand as a symbol of the Gilded Age’s luxury, blending multiple architectural styles with lavish materials. It was not merely a home but a statement of prestige, destined to be remembered.