We're in the framing stage on a new build at 5253 W Bald Eagle Boulevard and it's been a great process to be a part of. Joshua Markum Builders is doing exceptional work, and watching it come together on the water has been one of the better parts of this job lately.
This one started with the land. Finding the right lot on Bald Eagle Lake, working through the design, and getting the home under contract through renderings before framing even began. That process taught me a few things worth sharing for anyone thinking about new construction on a lake.
The biggest one: main level primary bedroom.
Every buyer conversation I've had at this price point comes back to it. And it cuts across every age group. Younger buyers want to wake up and walk to the water without touching a staircase. Older buyers are thinking about aging in place, living on the lake until they're 80 without stairs becoming the reason they have to leave. I've seen this from 30 year olds and 70 year olds sitting across from me, and the reason is different but the answer is the same. Main level primary. I've seen buyers walk from otherwise beautiful plans because the primary was upstairs. On a lake, that's not a detail you can work around later.
At 5253, we got the layout right. Main level primary, direct lake views, and a flow that puts you on the water the moment your day starts.
The other thing this project reinforced is how much the lot itself matters. Not every piece of shoreline on Bald Eagle is equal. Water exposure, setback requirements, where the dock can go, the angle of the shore. Getting that right from the beginning is what everything else is built on, literally.
Part of what drew me to this project was the lake itself. Bald Eagle is one I've come to love. Over 1,000 acres, 36 feet deep, exceptional fishing and boating, and a water ski slalom course that serious skiers know about. The speed allowed on Bald Eagle is different from White Bear Lake, which makes it a different kind of lake experience. More open, more recreational, bigger water. The views from the west shore especially are hard to beat. I've been part of three transactions on Bald Eagle recently and each one has reinforced why buyers who know it keep coming back to it.
We'll keep sharing updates as the build progresses. If you're thinking about new construction on any of the northern suburbs lakes, happy to walk you through what the process actually looks like from the start.
Best, Tim
Real Estate Advisor | Ornell Group
Real Broker Luxury Division (NASDAQ: REAX)
651.263.9480 | ornellgroup.com
Specializing in Twin Cities, MN waterfront properties and relocations.
