Total Lots: 25
Lot Size: .25 acres
Price Range for Lot and Home Package: $1.4 million to $1.9 million
Builder: Keith Waters & Associates, Eden Prairie
Who’s Buying: Professional couples with young children; empty nesters
Portico on the Green is a 24-acre conservation community that
features six wetlands, a trail system, and 65 percent open space. Keith Waters
& Associates, which is developing the property, has also hired an ecology
firm to remove invasive plants and replant native species. The towering white
pine at the development’s entrance, the wetlands and their buffer zones, and
hardwood and evergreen trees will all remain untouched in the development
process.
Modeled on a village green concept, the subdivision features large, commonly shared lawns lined with shade trees and sidewalks. Intended to create a pedestrian-scale neighborhood, the greens are designed to be used by homeowners for picnics, sports, and family gatherings.
Because so much space is dedicated to conservation, Keith Waters & Associates is making the most of the home sites. Three of the 25 lots will feature double homes, or duplexes. “We’re appealing to people who are busy professionally or just don’t want to take care of a big yard but are not ready for a condo or townhouse,” says company owner Keith Waters. “There’s a huge number of boomers in particular who want to have a small piece of land, do some gardening, and sit on their own patio.”
Architecturally, homeowners can expect details that match the small-town-neighborhood design. Garages will be set behind the houses; driveways will be limited to a one-car width. Each home will feature a veranda or porch to encourage interaction among neighbors. Windows will bring the outside in, with homes situated to take advantage of the village greens. Some residences will include “carriage homes” over the garage for nannies or caretakers.
