Photo: Boyer Build
A turn-key condo at Wayzata’s Landing gives one couple a spot to land near the lake.
There’s a lot to be said for The Landing Residences. The 30 luxury condos were built in 2017 and are located on Wayzata’s main drag, with peaceful lake views within a quick drive of the Cities. Owners can pop downstairs for a workout, a massage at Läka Spa and locavore dinner and cocktails at Ninetwentyfive—and do it all without starting the car and while Hotel Landing staff cleans their condo. It’s a win-win-win. That’s why, when empty-nesters Mark and Michelle Jahn’s healthcare careers took them from Orono to San Diego, the property was so appealing.
“We always considered Wayzata our downtown area and enjoyed sitting next to Lake Minnetonka for lunches and dinners at the local restaurants,” Michelle says. “Of course, the shops are great and we love Caribou Coffee and Starbucks. Having grown up in the Great Lakes region, we always enjoyed beautiful fall colors, the beauty of newfallen snow, and beautiful summer evenings. Lake Minnetonka is picturesque during all of the seasons.”
When they came across a listing for a condo that had barely been used by the previous owner, they immediately envisioned being able to fly to town and have a central, low-maintenance space to visit with friends without needing to stock groceries or pay someone to remove snow. They jumped on it and began dreaming about what could be.
“The space met the criteria for location and amenities—it was finished, but kind of bland and monochromatic,” remembers Joe Franson, the remodeling salesman at Boyer Building who was enlisted to help manage the renovation project. He worked closely with interior designer Rebecca Vance Hull to bring a modern living space to life. “The motivation was to add character and warmth and life, to improve the ambiance and aesthetic,” Franson says.
They replaced every cosmetic surface in the 2,000-square-foot condo, incorporating Caesarstone quartz on the kitchen island, buffet, and perimeter countertops. They hung a minimalistic quartz vanity and matching linen shelf in the bathroom. Brushmasters gave the space a refresh with modern paint colors, Rick Hammer stripped and re-stained the dark wood flooring, and Riverstone Cabinets tweaked the existing kitchen layout, adding a drawer microwave and wine cooler. Modern millwork and lighting were added to complement the existing high-end appliances—and solid, mitered floating shelves were added, mounted right to the steel wall frame with custom steel brackets. The simple, refined, and modern space materialized quickly, despite strict rules for remodeling within the shared building.
“There are rules for how much you can use the elevator, and specific hours for work. You have to give a lot of warning so protective blankets can be put down in the elevators. You can’t prop open doors—even for a minute. And I get it, it’s everybody’s front hallway!” Franson says of the unique challenges that come with condo remodels. But as more Americans purchase second residences and downsize as kids leave home, he and his team have gotten more accustomed to working within the limitations. The result, for the Jahns, was worth the additional headaches.
“Mark referred to this condo as ‘our coloring book that we could easily transform.’ And so we did,” Michelle says. “We knew what we wanted to do to the condo to make it ours, and we wanted to work efficiently and fast so we could start using it … Everyone we worked with at Boyer was very professional, respectful and responsive to all of our needs. The quality of their work was exceptional and everyone who worked on our condo was truly focused on the details and achieving our complete satisfaction.”
Boyer Building Corporation
3435 County Road 101, Minnetonka
952.475.2097
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