“Cool factor!” enthuses Todd Simming, president of Kroiss Development Inc., throwing his hands in the air and smiling when asked about the plethora of smart technologies incorporated into the design of this Kenwood upper-level, 2,950-square-foot condominium. “What’s so much fun about building these luxury, high-end condos was collaborating with such a creative team that had great ideas, to come up with even better ideas.”
Those ideas include retractable patio screens and window shades, stove hood in the kitchen, and 80-inch TV screen in the bedroom, which are operable by remote, smartphone, or iPad. The heating, cooling, and security systems can also be programmed via smart technology. Then, the tech gets granular. The Toto Washlit Bidet toilet has a heated seat that “learns” homeowners’ habits (in order to warm up just before use). In-floor radiant heat is also included in the shower.
The doors incorporate slow-closing mechanisms so they don’t slam. An elevator connects the lower-level heated parking (accessed via a heated driveway) with the condo. Floor-to-ceiling Kolbe VistaLux windows and doors bring in light and views; in the master bedroom, sound-deadening glass blocks white noise from the nearby freeway. “The condo is full of these small details the homeowner might not see but definitely experiences and appreciates,” says Simming, who developed the project in collaboration with Lenox House Design and Ted Martin and Gabe Keller of Peterssen/Keller Architecture.
The awe factor, however, starts outside the modern two-level structure, clad in stucco and custom corrugated-metal siding. From the ground-level entrance, guests access the upper level via a floating steel staircase with thick wood treads: A window looks out to the woods beyond. The open plan living area includes a kitchen with Wolf, Subzero, and Asko appliances and quartz waterfall countertops; a gathering area with white-oak floors, custom walnut cabinets, and gas fireplace; and a balcony with ipe wood decking and a live-roof edge feature.
Meanwhile, the staircase continues to the rooftop with a bluestone terrace, gas fireplace, and seating area. The unoccupied surfaces were engineered for a live roof, so the owners could put in a garden or grasses, and water and power are available for the installation of a hot tub. Back inside the condo, the hallway serves as an art gallery before terminating at the master suite, but also opens into the prep kitchen/pantry area (which includes plentiful storage as well as a powder room); a guest room and bath; and a flex space that can serve as a sleeping area, office, or reading room.
The condo sold the first day it was on the market. So have several others in the two-building development—all to empty nesters. “Every buyer had been seeking a warm yet modern home with lots of livable outdoor space, which they could easily close down when they travel,” Simming explains. “And yet, they also wanted to be close to everything: Lake of the Isles and the trail system, Uptown, downtown Minneapolis.”
The smart condo with the sophisticated aesthetic truly has it all.
Luxury Home Tour
Builder
Home location
Minneapolis
Square footage
2,950
Architect
Interior designer
Sponsors
• Ferguson
• Southern Lights Inc.
