Parade of Homes

TourPlanner

Register Here to create a personal TourPlanner that lets you save your favorite new homes, builders, remodelers and more.

Already Registered?

Featured Stories

Sample some of the Twin Cities’ Exceptional Neighborhoods

Take some time this fall to tour the fabulous neighborhoods that the Twin Cities has to offer during the Parade of Homes^SM. To get you started, we’ve selected five you shouldn’t miss.

Waters Edge, Hugo
#643, Dean Johnson Construction, Inc.
4969 Education Drive N., #5
$149,900

Additional homes in the Waters Edge Community include:
#639, Pulte Homes of Minnesota LLC
5101 Farnham Drive (Waters Edge Manor Homes)
$184,900

#640 Pulte Homes of Minnesota LLC
5189 Fairpoint Drive North (Waters Edge Courtyard Homes)
$214,180

#644 Brunn Construction Co. Inc.
15754 Falcon Circle North (Waters Edge North)
$389,900

Amenities Galore

If getting more than you bargained for excites you, than welcome to Waters Edge in Hugo. Located a reasonable 20-minutes from St. Paul, Waters Edge is a master-planned community and, as the term implies, is full of enviable amenities.

The neighborhood’s anchor is its private clubhouse. Featuring a state-of-the-art exercise facility including leisure and lap pools, a workout area and locker rooms, one will have to be very creative with excuses not to workout. Residents also enjoy exercising their social skills at the club’s game room, conference room with serving kitchen, fireplace room and a sun deck – all designed to make sociability a big part of coming home to Waters Edge. Clubhouse access is covered through the reasonable association fee, which is priced less than some family gym memberships, and also covers one’s home exterior and ground maintenance.

Families also enjoy the miles of trails along rolling hills abutted to acres of nature-filled wetlands. Children can walk to the community’s playground area, outdoor sport courts and even an elementary school less than a block away. “We find that young families, single parents and future parents love that the whole community is so pedestrian friendly,“ says Jon Bauer of Dean Johnson Homes. “And the proximity to the school is a real positive.”

The two-story row homes from Dean Johnson have two bedrooms, one-and-one-half baths and an attached garage. The exterior features colonial styling accented with brick and optional bay windows. Open floor plans maximize the natural light and feeling of spaciousness. The kitchen, with its framed pass-through, accommodates an eat-in dining area lit by large sliding glass windows that take one onto the back patio.

“We’re very proud of the way we planned the housing in Waters Edge. It’s a real balance to make people feel like they’re part of a community, yet not encroaching on their neighbors,” says Bauer who credits thoughtful design, hilly landscape and restraint in home numbers in achieving that balanced state.

Dean Johnson’s home prices in Waters Edge start affordably in the $140,000 range. “It’s an excellent price point for new construction in this area with a reputable local builder, “ says Bauer. “For many, home payments would be less expensive than rent and we work with programs that offer incredible savings for first time home buyers.”

And with this neighborhood’s proximity to charming White Bear Lake with its ample shopping, eateries and lakeshore, homebuyer interest will be high at the Waters Edge.

You’ll love the other neighborhoods within the Waters Edge community too, including townhomes by Pulte Homes of Minnesota LLC at Waters Edge Manor Homes from $213,900, and Waters Edge Courtyard Homes from $209,900; and single family homes by Brunn Construction Company, Inc. at Waters Edge North starting at $350,000.

Eastgate, Mahtomedi
#702, Gurteck Custom Homes
217 South Gate Drive
$849,900

The Charm of Yesteryear

Located a mere half mile from the sands of White Bear Lake, the Eastgate neighborhood channels the town’s resort history. In the 20’s and 30’s, cottages dotted the shoreline drawing urban pleasure seekers for ferry and paddleboat rides across the water. Now the meandering, tree-lined streets of Eastgate recaptures this charm with their luxury main-level living homes.

“This area has always been known for its pockets of roads and alleys. That’s a real lake community feel that didn’t get lost in this new neighborhood because the streets were designed to wind around like the old narrow roadways,” says Chris Peterson of Gurtek Custom Builders, “It truly fit into the region’s landscape.”

Honoring its surroundings goes beyond the streetscape in Eastgate. The community has made a large commitment to enhancing the landscaping by doubling the size of the natural wetland, installing rain gardens and developing a walking trail that follows the mature tree line. “This is going to be a real boon to the area’s bird lovers,” says Peterson who believes that this upgraded landscape plan will help attract and support wildlife.

Also fitting into the scenery are the homes themselves, which start at $500,000. Curved trusses and richly colored cement board shingles gives these cleverly designed dwellings a vintage Craftsman feel. The thoughtful sightlines pay off as the eye is drawn to the wood embellished entrances while utility spaces, such as the three-car garage, are masked with copper accented bay windows.

Inside, the home offers the best in main level living. An open floor plan with repeating arches emphasizes the spacious layout filled with the luxurious extras discriminating homebuyers have come to expect. Upscale surfaces and fixtures such as a spa tub, hardwood floors and oversized windows, along with an amusement-ready lower level, make this cottage a true retreat.

And this particular retreat also offers a pass on outdoor chores. Eastgate homeowners need never pick up a snow shovel or sweat behind a lawn mover as the association maintains the private roads and grounds. However, these are legally single-family homes meaning the owners retain control over their personal dwellings. “It combines the best of both worlds,” says Peterson who believes this type of housing appeals to both the traveling empty nesters and busy, young professionals.

Residents can spend their newfound free time at the local golf course just across the street from Eastgate, take a quick jump onto highways 694 and 36 to be antiquing in Stillwater in minutes or simply enjoy the abundant comforts of cottage home living.

Heritage Greens of Cambridge
Lumber One, Avon Inc.
#548 at 722 13th Lane SW
$243,565
#549 at 1454 South Fern Street
$183,000

Classic Small Town Living

If sitting on the front porch, watching children riding bicycles down the sidewalk sounds nostalgic to you, maybe you should visit Cambridge’s Heritage Greens. It just may be the closest thing to Mayberry.

Located 26 miles north of Blaine, this new community brags that it is a “real” neighborhood and not just another development. The difference is this, says John Twohig of New Homes Sales Group. “It’s very pedestrian friendly with sidewalks on both sides of the roads. Because the design has alleys and garages in the back, people do a lot of living in their front yards. Kids play there, families sit outside so residents know each other.”

Another neighborhood defining characteristic is Heritage Greens location within the City of Cambridge. “It’s in the older part of Cambridge,” says Twohig. “Residents are close to everything in town, including Main Street and that really eliminates that ‘out in a development’ feeling.”

The classic small town mood is furthered by the traditional architecture of the dwellings. They are deceptively simple looking with clean lines accentuated with white trim and a rich palette of colors, plus many pleasing architectural details that lend Craftsman character. Elements such as exposed rafter tails, colorful gables, and wide window trim sized to look structural rather than decorative give these homes enormous curb appeal. The white columned front porch makes the two-toned exterior colors, pulled from historic and traditional palettes, virtually pop from the streetscape.

And like a real neighborhood there are different housing options, styles and types throughout the community including rental, townhomes units and a site for future commercial development such as a coffee shop and possibly a fitness club.

Residents also enjoy a central green space that is fully accessible by sidewalk. This open area includes a large community gazebo, playground and ball field. Also extensive nature trails built by the City of Cambridge are near the neighborhood furthering the pedestrian friendly nature of the Heritage Greens project.

Single-family homes come in three types beginning with the 2-bedroom Pioneer Series designed for the first time homebuyer. There are six cozy building plans to choose from with an even cozier starting price point of $175,000. Those needing more room, or the option to add on later, can look at the five homes in the Heritage Series that run in the $200,000 range with up to 4-bedrooms. And lastly, the neighborhood has accommodations for main level living with their Liberty Series that has yard and snow maintenance available for a modest monthly fee.

Heritage Greens also has some income-based housing programs available for those who qualify. These affordable and market-rate housing efforts are, in part, supported by the McKnight Challenge funds making a Mayberry-like life possible for even more families.

Four Seasons at Rush Creek in Maple Grove
#365, K. Hovnanian Homes

7512 Shadyview Lane North
$549,085

Resort at Home Perfect for Baby Boomers

As Maple Grove approved the Four Seasons at Rush Creek project, it became the first city in Minnesota to sweep in an exciting national housing trend – luxury adult community living. “It’s a focus on a ‘resort at home lifestyle’ for people 55-years old or better,” says Mandy Multerer of K. Hovnanian Homes.

Here’s how it works. Residents purchase their own home within the adult community, which is typically less to take care of than their former residences, without giving up the luxurious features they enjoyed in homeownership. Here they share a maintenance-free neighborhood with like-aged individuals and avail themselves of the nearly 14,000 square ft. amenity-packed clubhouse.

The dwellings come in a ten diverse styles. Prices start at $385,000 for a handsome 1,600 square foot 2-bedroom, 2-bath traditional-styled home with front porch and carriage garage door. Most of the properties have the option of a finished walkout lower level for additional space. The community’s largest selection is a 3-bedroom home with just over 3,000 square feet selling for under $500,000.

But though these houses may have more than one floor, it is truly designed for luxury main-level living. “We know that people may want to scale down on all they have to take care of and to avoid having to go up and down stairs, but they aren’t looking to cut back on the quality of their homes or give up any luxuries,” says Multerer. “And here, they don’t have to.”

All the homes feature a main level library, laundry and owner’s suites with lavish extras such as crown molding, custom windows and owner’s bath with spa fixtures. “We feature a higher level of finishes at Four Seasons than other communities. And the choices of cabinets, detail work, tile, and quality flooring options should please all our homeowners.”

But what really makes Four Seasons different is what’s outside of the homes – mainly that is the clubhouse, which is the hub of daily activity. While it has some of what you might expect, such as an indoor and outdoor pool with spa, state-of-the-art workout facilities and even tennis and racket ball courts. It may surprise you that there are also spaces that serve as business centers, craft rooms, cards & billiards rooms, a ball room and even a putting green.

“There is a life style coordinator on staff who works with the homeowners to schedule activities, speakers and otherwise facilitate their passions and hobbies,” says Multerer.

But what may be the most coveted amenity is the community’s convenient location in Maple Grove. Located adjacent to the Rush Creek Golf Club, ranked as the top public golf course in Minnesota, Four Seasons will be a golfers dream come true. Also the fashionable and park-like shopping experience of “The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes” will be a welcomed outing for meeting friends for lunch after an early round.

“With all that residents can enjoy here you can see why our tagline is, ‘If you aren’t 55, you’ll wish we were,’” Multerer quips. Indeed, we do.

Upper Landing in St. Paul
#672, David Bernard Homes
256 Spring Street
$299,900

Idyllic and Urban

It’s historic, it’s downtown and it’s riverfront. It’s hard to find strong enough superlatives to praise the idyllic setting of the Upper Landing project in St. Paul. Nestled in by the Mississippi on Shepard Road and steps from the riverfront Samuel H. Morgan regional trail, these two-story townhomes and condominium flats are within easy reach of all downtown has to offer. Residents will be a short jaunt from the Science Museum of Minnesota, Excel Energy Center and the many dining and entertainment choices along the red brick streets of Rice Park.

“We put a lot of care into the design and layout of the homes to maximize the views,” says Tim Whitten, Executive Vice President and architect for David Bernard Homes. And it seems the design team had many views to keep in mind. Foremost is the river with its elegant spanning bridges and dead-on view of Harriet Island, then also the storied cityscape with highlights such as the Cathedral of Saint Paul and the State Capitol building. Coming sights will include a boat and waterfall overlook protruding from the Upper Landings Park Grand Walkway and the soon to be renovated historic Head House which will house a museum and restaurant.

But among all these handsome scenes, the new construction built on the project’s three blocks is beautiful enough to stand on its own. The exteriors are contemporary, some leaning towards industrial, but each has its own style. “While each of the buildings have their own look, there are threads of similar details that run through all of them to give them a sense of collective,” says Whitten. “That’s important.”

The units, with spacious nine- and ten-foot ceilings, range in size from 925 square $ 200,000s all the way up to a million plus for waterfront views with private rooftop terraces. Each floor plan is different, but all center on large banks of enormous commercial-grade Traco windows. To assist with customizing the condominium, new owners sit down with a David Bernard interior designer who assists in selecting styles of cherry and maple trim and cabinetry, ceramic tiles, and granite or quartz surfaces to complete the space’s transformation into home. Whirlpool tubs, built-in media centers and gas fireplaces are available in selected units.

For two of the favorite owner amenities one needs to take the elevator down – and then all the way up again. First, each building rests on two levels of underground parking garages.

“This is just one of the ways we ensure our homeowner’s property investment. Most every unit has two parking spaces making these homes a very marketable product down the line and generally improving the livability of the area,” says Whitten.

Then go up to some of the best livability at the top of the Mississippi Flats building. The edgiest of the three structures, Mississippi Flats will have a community rooftop terrace with spectacular panoramic views certain to become a beloved retreat for residents - and one of the hottest fireworks viewing locales in the City.

back to featured stories