November 24, 2025 Libby Poyzer

Updating a historic kitchen in Minneapolis requires more than straightforward renovation. It takes a remodeling company that can honor the home’s original architecture while reimagining the layout, enhancing circulation, modernizing mechanical systems, and maximizing storage—all without sacrificing charm. The following top five Minneapolis kitchen-remodeling firms excel at transforming older kitchens into spaces that are highly functional, beautifully crafted, and architecturally respectful:

  1. Castle Building & Remodeling

A long-trusted name in St. Paul, Castle operates a local showroom on Snelling Avenue and has decades of experience remodeling kitchens in neighborhoods like Summit Hill, Highland Park, and Cathedral Hill. Castle’s design-build model includes in-house designers, guaranteed pricing, fixed timelines, and lifetime warranties. They’re known for blending craftsmanship with thoughtful planning—perfect for homeowners who want to update their kitchen while preserving historic charm.

2. Anchor Builders

Anchor Builders is a well-established, award-winning residential design-build firm based in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, serving the Twin Cities area including Minneapolis and Edina. They were founded in 2005 by the three Steenlage brothers. As a design-build firm, they handle both the architectural design and the construction, providing a single integrated team for the client.

3. Custom Homes (St. Paul)

Based in the Selby Avenue area, Custom Homes has served St. Paul homeowners for over 25 years. They offer a transparent cost-plus, open-book pricing method—clients see all material costs and bids upfront. Their online client portal tracks selections, budgets, and timelines in real time. Known for their honest communication and skilled craftsmanship, they’re a strong choice for major kitchen overhauls and whole-home renovations alike.

4.Crystal Kitchen & Bath

Crystal Kitchen and Bath are a long-established design-build firm in the Twin Cities area, founded in 1974, with over fifty years of history. They specialize in high-end residential remodeling, concentrating on custom, complete renovation of kitchens and bathrooms. The company’s services also encompass remodeling other spaces within the home, such as laundry rooms, home offices, and basement or lower-level living areas.

5. Sawhorse Designers & Builders

Founded in 1977 and now operating under Castle after a recent acquisition, Sawhorse brings decades of design-build experience to kitchen remodels across the metro. Homeowners consistently praise their transparent process—“what they quote is what you actually pay.” Combining Sawhorse’s craftsmanship with Castle’s streamlined systems, they offer reliable, well-managed remodels for St. Paul’s older homes.

 

Summary

St. Paul’s historic homes are rich in character but often lack the kitchen space and functionality modern life requires. These five kitchen-focused remodelers understand how to respect the past while enhancing daily living:

  • Castle Building & Remodeling — locally rooted, full-service design-build, guaranteed pricing.
  • Anchor Builders — Wee established company creating luxury kitchen transformations.
  • Custom Homes — transparent, open-book pricing and long-standing craftsmanship.
  • Crystal Kitchen & Bath — High-end, detail-driven kitchens for homeowners seeking the highest quality.
  • Sawhorse Designers & Builders — trusted service supported by decades of expertise and Castle’s processes.

Choosing one of these firms means more than updating a kitchen—you’re preserving the essence of your St. Paul home while creating a space that works beautifully for modern living.