Ham Lake has quietly been one of the most interesting luxury build stories in the Twin Cities. Not because it’s trying to be trendy — but because the fundamentals are getting stronger: acreage lots, custom builds, privacy, and a growing pipeline of higher-end homes.
Two developments worth watching closely are Hidden Forest and Elwell Farms.
And if you zoom out, the growth happening nearby in Blaine around the National Sports Center / 105th redevelopment corridor will keep adding fuel over the next decade.
Hidden Forest (Ham Lake): Acreage Lots + Custom Luxury Near Carlos Avery
Hidden Forest (including “Hidden Forest East”) is the kind of development that fits how many luxury buyers want to live now: more land, more privacy, and a custom home that feels intentional.
What stands out:
-
Blaine School District (for Hidden Forest East)
-
Lots range 1+ acres (some as large as 9+ acres)
-
Backs up to Carlos Avery (big factor for privacy + views)
-
Private well / septic + architectural controls
-
Builder marketing shows home ranges roughly $1.1M to $4M (depending on plan/lot)
This is not “cookie cutter.” The value proposition is the land + setting — and buyers who are moving up from a typical suburb lot feel that difference immediately.
Elwell Farms (Ham Lake): Conservation-Focused Luxury + Large-Scale Vision
Elwell Farms is a different kind of project — bigger land plan, and clearly aimed at executive-level builds.
Key details reported/marketed:
-
Roughly 500+ acres of development footprint
-
Around 105–106 luxury homesites planned
-
Homes described as starting around $1.5M (per reporting)
-
Adjacent to / bordering Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area (major long-term differentiator)
-
Plans include trails/parks and a new lake feature as part of the community concept
You mentioned a 40-acre man-made lake — I can’t verify that exact number from the public sources I pulled today, but the “new lake” component is real and is being discussed as part of the plan.
(If you have a site plan or marketing PDF with the lake size, send it and I’ll bake it in cleanly.)
Is Ham Lake Becoming “The Next North Oaks”?
I wouldn’t say Ham Lake is trying to be North Oaks — but I understand the comparison and I do think Ham Lake is moving into a similar conversation for certain buyers.
Here’s the real “why” (without hype):
-
Acreage lots + privacy are getting harder to find at scale in the Twin Cities
-
These developments are creating a growing pocket of $1.5M+ households
-
Proximity to protected land (Carlos Avery) is a long-term moat
-
Buyer demand is shifting toward “space + quality + quiet,” not just a zip code
Over time, when more high-end homes cluster in one area, you get a compounding effect: more investment, stronger community profile, and more move-up buyers wanting to stay local.
That’s how “premium pockets” form.
The Blaine Sports / 105th Redevelopment Effect (This Matters)
If you’re building in Ham Lake, the growth happening nearby in Blaine is worth paying attention to — especially for families.
The City of Blaine’s 105th Avenue redevelopment vision near the National Sports Center includes:
-
A full-service hotel + restaurant / food hall
-
Sports/entertainment uses (including golf entertainment)
-
A year-round pickleball facility + restaurant
-
A multi-function stadium
-
Future phases with additional hotels, housing, restaurants, office
Also, the National Sports Center has described plans to install 10 new lighted turf fields, targeted to be completed in 2024, as part of staying competitive for tournaments.
On top of that, multiple reports have described a large sports/entertainment district investment in Blaine (often cited around $750M) and broader tourism/economic impact.
And yes — Scheels has been reported/announced as coming to Blaine with a planned opening around 2028.
What happens to youth sports over the next 20 years?
No one can “call” it perfectly — but here’s the reasonable direction based on how the Twin Cities has been trending:
-
More year-round training facilities and multi-sport complexes
-
More tournament travel and “sports weekends” for families
-
Areas near big sports hubs become more attractive for households that prioritize sports access
-
You’ll likely see more families choosing location partly based on practice convenience + community of similar families
That doesn’t mean everyone will live for sports — it means the infrastructure will keep shaping where certain families want to live.
If You’re Thinking About Building in Hidden Forest or Elwell Farms
Luxury new construction ROI isn’t just math — it’s buyer perception, layout, light, and how the home fits the land. In these communities, lot selection and build strategy matter.
If you’re considering building in Hidden Forest or Elwell Farms (or you own land in Ham Lake and want a realistic plan), I’m happy to help you think through:
-
lot selection and positioning
-
what buyers actually pay up for in this area
-
how to avoid overbuilding for the street
-
how to make the home feel “right” the day it hits the market
If you’re looking to build in these developments, give me a call.
—
Ornell Group Real Estate | Tim Ornell
Northern Suburbs Luxury & Waterfront Specialist
Real Brokerage | Luxury Division
Institute for Luxury Home Marketing – GUILD Certified
[email protected] | ornellgroup.com
Content provided by Ornell Group Real Estate. Brokered by Real Broker. Select content enhanced with AI-assisted tools. Market data subject to change.
