Living in Cathedral is like having downtown Sioux Falls in your backyard. In the late 1800s, city elite built impressive estates here on a hill overlooking the Big Sioux River valley. Today, the neighborhood is a registered historic district, and a favorite for those who appreciate classic architecture and want to live a short walk from the city center.
Leaving the quiet, historic lanes, you can walk east to Phillips Avenue — downtown’s main drag — in about 5 to 10 minutes. Once there, you can walk from shops to restaurants and cultural venues including catching a Broadway show at the Washington Pavilion or a film at the historic State Theatre. People also get around via public buses. Sioux Area Metro serves the west side of the neighborhood and bike lanes offer cyclists easy access. Shopping and dining downtown is diverse. “It has anything you could want,” says South Dakota State Representative Kadyn Wittman. “We have incredible restaurants — sushi, Italian, Cambodian. It’s hard to pick a favorite because we have so many options.”
Longstanding local favorites include:
Less than 2,000 people live here, creating an intimate experience. Most are young professionals with a median age of 38. David Shelton, the managing broker of Century 21 Advantage with more than 30 years of experience, calls the local population committed to the heritage of their homes. “We tend to see longer residency there than the rest of the city. Homes are passed down for multiple generations.” Although there are enduring residents, homeowners comprise 44% and renters 56%.
Terrace Park on Covell Lake is just a half-mile from Cathedral. On weekends, families kayak, fish, play tennis, catch a baseball game or cool off in the pool. The park is also known for its Japanese Gardens. For a scenic route, residents can hop on the Downtown River Greenway which winds alongside the Big Sioux River for nearly a mile. The trail begins at Falls Park, a 123-acre landmark surrounding the cities' iconic waterfalls.
Other highlights linked by the greenway are:
Local quartzite and limestone were used in foundations, curbs, paving stones and facades in Cathedral. “It was the first neighborhood to get developed in Sioux Falls. The house that I sold there was the third house built in the city,” Shelton says. The neighborhood is known for its Victorians, Queen Annes, Colonial Revivals and American Foursquares. Shelton notes that homes on the historic register come with titles listing every owner. “There is a heritage. This isn't new construction. This is something that when people purchase, they purchase long term," he says. Interiors are often adorned by intricately carved woodwork for built-in bookshelves, stairs and fireplaces. In the mid-20th century, a shortage of military housing in Sioux Falls caused some homes to be repurposed into multiunit properties but most have been converted back to single-family homes. Sioux Falls has ordinances to preserve the character of its historic districts including the standard that historic features should be repaired rather than replaced and any increase in home value from historic rehabilitation falls under an eight-year state property tax moratorium.
Single family homes are the dominant housing type. Homes rarely come on the market and this limited supply combined with the neighborhood’s historic significance keeps demand high. Still, prices are moderate by state and national standards, ranging from the low $200,000s up to the high $300,000s. The median sales price is in the low $200,000s, below Pennsylvania’s figure in the low $300,000s. Properties typically sell within just 17 days, faster than the national average of 53.
Gregory Doohen
Keller Williams Realty Sioux Falls
(605) 640-5408
301 Total Sales
1 in Cathedral
$235,000 Price
Zach Walters
Vylla Home
(605) 653-2236
42 Total Sales
1 in Cathedral
$229,900 Price
Dave Mettler
Keller Williams Realty Sioux Falls
(605) 640-6886
231 Total Sales
1 in Cathedral
$212,000 Price
Eric Brockhoft
Hegg, REALTORS
(605) 702-4601
107 Total Sales
1 in Cathedral
$245,000 Price
Allison Moses
Falls Real Estate
(605) 636-2732
107 Total Sales
1 in Cathedral
$380,000 Price
Chad Hettermann
Foundation Real Estate
(605) 309-4102
37 Total Sales
1 in Cathedral
$314,330 Price
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Cathedral | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 6 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 5 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 6 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 4 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
On average, homes in Cathedral, Sioux Falls sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Cathedral, Sioux Falls over the last 12 months is $229,900.
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Historic homes just west of downtown Sioux Falls
Single-family homes surround one of Sioux Falls’s most popular parks
Architectural charm abounds in this historic Sioux Falls neighborhood
Sioux Falls’s historic downtown is the city's hub of activity
This historic Sioux Falls neighborhood was built for growing families
A residential neighborhood between Sherman Park and Sanford USD Medical Center
