About 1393 Keston Street
This beautifully preserved 1941 all-brick mid-century home offers a truly special combination of architectural character, thoughtful updates, and an unusually expansive yard. This home was built by Arvid E. Johnson — a Swedish-born local lumber yard owner — this all-brick home has been lovingly maintained by only three families. The current owners, the third family, have called it home for 50 years.
Mid-century design touches are everywhere: elongated and bay windows bring in abundant light and carry the "bringing the outside in" theme, while the living, dining, and side rooms flow together in an open layout ahead of its time. Original light fixtures, hardware, and unpainted oak, white oak, and birch woodwork abound throughout.
The main floor offers hardwood floors in a living room that is flooded with natural light, an elegant dining room with built-in cupboards and a working original chandelier, and a den addition (built by the Wickstroms) with wood paneling and built-in bookshelves — ideal as a family room or office. The kitchen features solid birch cabinets, a brand-new oven, and a lightly used dishwasher.
Upstairs, there are three bedrooms. The primary bedroom features two walk-in closets and a bay window. The second bedroom has original wallpaper, while the spacious third bedroom offers both a walk-in and cedar closet, with adjacent attic space providing potential for a second primary suite. A fourth bedroom off the kitchen is in excellent condition with gorgeous wood paneling and an original-tile 3/4 bath.
The basement recreation room, freshly painted, centers on a wood-burning fireplace with a turret-style surround and walks out to a large patio. A laundry room with commercial-grade Speed Queen units, a one-year-old furnace, a hobby room, and extra storage round out the level.
Outside, low-maintenance perennial gardens and prolific raspberry bushes (the family collected over 100 cups this past June) complement a garage that fits an SUV plus storage and a two-car driveway. The entire home — every room, closet, and cupboard — was freshly painted in summer 2026.
Just steps from Murry Field, College Park and the beloved "Village," with shops, cafés, and easy access to the U of M's St. Paul campus and transit. Come home to history, craftsmanship, and community in one of St. Paul's most storied homes.
