Photos by Spacecrafting
We wanted to be cabin people, but it didn’t really work out,” admit the owners of Bald Eagle Lake’s newest waterfront home. The couple had purchased a cabin a few years ago, but their busy schedules weren’t allowing them to visit as much as they hoped, and they ended up selling it. “We ultimately decided the best of both worlds would be if we could enjoy that lake life in a metro area—specifically, in a community where we had already been raising our family.”
The two traded in their traditional Craftsman for a stunning four-bed, four-bath home by Unfold Architecture and Sustainable 9 Design + Build, designed in the companies’ signature “Minnesota Modern” style and built just 2 miles away from where their previous home was located. The new abode was intended to be contemporary yet functional, with natural elements balancing modern components, and to maximize views of the lake with vaulted ceilings, an open floor plan, and plenty of expansive windows.
“‘Minnesota Modern’ blends the woodsy feeling of being up north with some Pacific Northwest influences,” explains Chad Hanson, managing general partner at Sustainable 9. “It’s warm and inviting and has that Midwestern sensibility—it’s not modern for modern’s sake, but functional.”
A prime example is the two-story-tall fireplace in the great room, which features a stone wall that runs east to west through the home, bifurcating the interiors. “The wall starts at the front of the house and continues all the way to the screened porch out back, which produces a seamless connection from the outdoors to the indoor environment,” says Hanson.
Another example is the kitchen, where custom Crystal cabinets and a waterfall-edged island add chic style, while the walk-through pantry hides clutter neatly with a pocket door. The soaring ceilings of the great room and dining room showcase views of the lake and wooded yard, as does the floating steel staircase leading up to the master suite—a favorite spot of the owners thanks to treetop views, a private balcony, and a cozy reading nook complete with a couch and electric fireplace. “I’m a night owl and bookworm, and historically, I’ve kept my husband awake by having my lamp on all night,” the wife says, laughing. “It’ll be the best place to curl up with a book.”
Other amenities were added with future needs in mind, including a main-level junior suite for aging-in-place convenience and garage with built-in charging capabilities. The home office with lakefront views and enough space for two proved to be a particularly fortuitous choice in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as did the lower-level fitness room and sauna. A pair of walkout patios, three-season porch, and outdoor basketball half-court ensure plenty of entertainment areas to enjoy.
“Bald Eagle Lake doesn’t see a lot of new construction homes, and certainly not many that feature modern architectural elements,” Hanson notes. “This project was special because it’s extremely unique to the area. And, because it’s set up higher on a hill and faces straight west, the sunset views are going to be incredible.”
Home Details
- Builder: Sustainable 9 Design + Build
- Home Location: Hugo
- Square Footage: 4,600
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 4
- Style: Minnesota lakeshore modern retreat
Enjoy a virtual tour of this lakeside home here.
