MEET THE OWNERS
“Three steps into the home, we knew it had to be ours.”
Pillsbury Castle owners Matthew Trettel and Ryan Hanson have always had a love for homes with a story. Trettel found an interest in old homes at the young age of four fawning over his grandparents’ boarding house adorned with velvet walls, various bedrooms, and cabinets filled with intricate china and crystal.
Fast forward 45 years and now the couple of 16 years embarks on an adventure to combine their world travels, lifelong passions, and love of community into one spectacular abode.
In 2020, the couple purchased a home in Tangletown with the intention of making it their forever home. But after several letdowns and “nos” during renovations, they decided to consider other options. The grand home at 116 East 22nd Street kept coming up in Trettel’s home search feed, and soon they found themselves purchasing a mansion. Three steps into the home, and they knew it had to be theirs.
They were immediately drawn to the craftsmanship and artistry present in Alfred F. Pillsbury’s Tudor Revival home. They learned that the collection of mansions once owned by Minneapolis’ elite of the early 1900s, including the Pillsburys, were mostly torn down or converted to commercial use. The couple made it their mission to preserve the house as it was intended by Alfred and Eleanor Pillsbury — to be a home for friends and family to gather.
Both Trettel and Hanson are entrepreneurs with a penchant for aesthetics and storytelling. Hanson owns a creative event agency, BeEvents, and Trettel, best known as The Wedding Guy, also owns Chrom Expo, a tradeshow service provider; and Haven and Gather, a luxury furniture rental company.
When the opportunity arose to collaborate with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), their combined expertise and vision enabled a unique restoration concept and a design-driven reinterpretation of the home.
Their appreciation for history, architecture, and community building led them to a collaboration that would allow the public to see inside an important property built for one of the people who put Minneapolis on the map. They are thrilled to be able to share their house July 12-28, 2024 as the ASID Design Home 2024 in collaboration with NARI, hosting a range of community-centric events while infusing positive energy back into the Minneapolis narrative.
The couple hopes their journey will encourage others to consider restoration and looks forward to opening up the home for fundraising events to support local charities.
Ryan Hanson
A dreamer, a reveler, and a storyteller by nature, Ryan has spent a decade creating, engaging and taking smart risks to design and produce remarkable events. Captivated passionately with the powerful potential of people coming together on purpose, in late 2007, Ryan founded BeEvents, a creative, collaborative agency partner for brands and corporate clients who need to deliver experiences people love.
For his work, Ryan has been honored with a host of awards, including twelve International Esprit Awards for Event Design, Corporate Event Planning and Event Marketing. Event Solutions Magazine has thrice named Ryan as a finalist for their Spotlight Award in event production and design. As an industry thought leader, Ryan’s commentaries and work have graced numerous glossy pages including, Event Solutions Magazine and Special Event Magazine, and as he is a frequent contributor, commentator and speaker on Event Strategy, Design & Engagement
Matthew Trettel
Matthew Trettel is a dynamic entrepreneur renowned for his innovative ventures in the wedding and event planning industry. As the co-founder of The Wedding Guys, Trettel has revolutionized the wedding experience, providing couples with unparalleled guidance and inspiration through meticulously curated wedding shows and events. Trettel has worked in the industry in many capacities from designing press fashion shows at New York Bridal Fashion Week to art directing the series ‘Say Yes to the Dress America’ as the designer of “America’s Aisle”. His expertise and visionary approach have not only helped countless couples plan their dream weddings but also set new standards in event planning and production.
In addition to his success with The Wedding Guys, Trettel is the driving force behind Chrom Expo and Haven & Gather. Chrom Expo provides exceptional solutions for the world of trade shows utilizing innovation and technology to deliver next-level experiences. Haven & Gather offers a range of linens and furnishings for every type of event providing curated collections that blend functionality with aesthetic appeal. Through these ventures, Trettel continues to demonstrate his versatility and entrepreneurial spirit, solidifying his reputation as a leader in the event industry.
