We always loved the Prairie style of Frank Lloyd Wright, and we had learned that John Howe, Wright’s chief draftsman, lived in the Twin Cities. Our narrow lot was a builder’s challenge because two of the four sides were at the top of 30-foot bluffs. One day we made a cold call to Mr. Howe who then became intrigued with the project. He came to our property and within a month, called to say the blueprint was done for our new home.



We asked an acquaintance connected to the local carpenter’s union for suggestions of a builder with an excellent work history who retained his workers. The man didn’t pause a second before saying, ‘Tim Lemke.’ Tim put a bid together for the cost of building this custom home, and while reasonably priced, we couldn’t afford to build at that time. So we purchased a century-old house located close to our lot and worked toward our dream.



The home we bought needed work, and knowing Tim and his reputation, we contracted with him to do our home improvements. The work Lemkes did was wonderful, so when we were able to build a new home on St. Paul’s bluffs, we talked to Tim again. It meant a lot to us to have the same crew. Our confidence level going in was terrific.



Tim Lemke gave us a 120-day timeline, from start to finish, including clearing trees. Through all the special aspects of this unique “Hexagon House,” building during the winter and all, we moved in an amazing 130 days later. Tim kept us informed and updated with an extensive Gantt chart.



I recommend Tim and his crew to anyone who is building or remodeling. They were able to work with the special demands of a complex custom home design, including a very unique cantilever balcony design and the challenging and difficult angled rooms to construct. The exposed concrete floors in the kitchen, dining room and by the fireplace are specially stained with a beautiful mottled finished. The first floor has radiant heat throughout. We also installed Wilsonart laminate wood floors with radiant heat upstairs.



When the project was done, we missed having ‘our contractor and crew’ around. Our home was featured in an architectural column by Larry Millet in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and it was also part of a home tour. The original vellum blueprint is archived at the University of Minnesota. Throughout, this was a wonderful experience.”