Wayzata, MN · Serving Minnetonka and Lake Minnetonka
Custom Home Builder
Minnetonka, MN
Stonewood builds extraordinary luxury custom homes in Minnetonka: from lakefront estates on Grays Bay and Libbs Lake to architect-designed teardown-rebuilds and bespoke new construction throughout the city. Rooted in neighboring Wayzata. Built for Minnetonka.
Minnetonka, Minnesota
Stonewood: Minnetonka’s Luxury Custom Home Builder
Minnetonka is one of the Twin Cities’ most accomplished and well-established residential communities. Fourteen miles west of Minneapolis on Interstate 394, with a population of over 51,000 and three highly ranked school districts serving its neighborhoods, Minnetonka offers the full range of what a major-league suburb can provide: exceptional schools, extensive parks and trail systems, Lake Minnetonka access, and a residential market that reflects decades of investment by families and executives who chose quality over compromise.
Stonewood has built and overseen luxury custom homes throughout the Lake Minnetonka corridor for over seventy years. Our office is headquartered in neighboring Wayzata, making Minnetonka one of the communities most immediately adjacent to our home base. We know the city’s neighborhoods, its permitting officials, its school district boundaries, and the standards expected by Minnetonka homeowners who invest in bespoke residential construction.
Whether you own a lot in Minnetonka and are ready to build, have an older home on a prime lot you are considering replacing, or are searching for the right luxury custom home builder near Lake Minnetonka, Stonewood is Minnetonka’s answer.
Why Minnetonka Is One of Minnesota’s Premier Luxury Home Markets
A City With Everything
Minnetonka, Minnesota offers something that few Twin Cities communities can match: a full-service city of over 51,000 people with top-ranked schools, significant Lake Minnetonka access, major corporate employers, an exceptional parks and trail network, and a residential market that ranges from established mid-century neighborhoods undergoing luxury renovation to new lakefront estate construction on Grays Bay and Libbs Lake. For clients who want the complete package, Minnetonka delivers it.
The city touches the northeastern edge of Lake Minnetonka at Grays Bay, one of the most accessible and desirable bays on the lake’s eastern shore. Grays Bay is also the source of Minnehaha Creek, which winds east through Minnetonka and eventually reaches Minneapolis, creating a natural corridor of parkland and trail that connects the city to its landscape in a way that is unique among western suburbs. Locust Hills, on the northwest shore adjacent to Wayzata, represents some of Minnetonka’s most prestigious lakefront addresses, with custom estate homes that rival any property in the Lake Minnetonka corridor. Inland, Libbs Lake provides additional waterfront opportunities within walking distance of Gray’s Bay Marina and the Wayzata boardwalk.
Minnetonka’s Luxury Custom Home Market
Minnetonka’s residential market operates across a wide range of price points, but its luxury segment is defined by several clear opportunity areas. The lakefront and lake-adjacent neighborhoods, including Grays Bay Boulevard, Locust Hills, Groveland, and the Libbs Lake area, attract buyers who want Lake Minnetonka lifestyle with Minnetonka Schools and the convenience of I-394 access to Minneapolis. The Glen Lake area, in central Minnetonka, has emerged as a strong market for luxury new construction and teardown-rebuilds on well-positioned wooded lots. Brackett’s Estates, Tonka-Woodcroft, and Williston Road neighborhoods offer established residential character with lot quality that supports significant custom home investment.
Stonewood works across all of these areas. Our Minnetonka clients include executives building a lakefront or lake-view estate, families who own an established lot in one of the city’s top school zones and are ready to replace a mid-century structure with a contemporary custom home, and buyers who have identified a teardown opportunity in a coveted neighborhood and want a builder with the experience to execute it without surprises. In every case, the Stonewood process is the same: original design, complete budget transparency, and uncompromising quality from first site visit through the final walkthrough.
The Teardown-Rebuild Opportunity in Minnetonka
Minnetonka’s housing stock reflects a city that developed intensively through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Many of the homes from that era occupy outstanding lots: mature trees, generous setbacks, desirable school zones, and proximity to Lake Minnetonka’s parks and trail systems. The structures themselves, however, often no longer reflect how today’s luxury buyer wants to live. Floor plan openness, ceiling heights, mechanical performance, and energy efficiency have all evolved significantly since these homes were built, and renovation alone frequently cannot bridge the gap.
The teardown-rebuild market in Minnetonka is active throughout the city and particularly concentrated in the lakefront and lake-adjacent neighborhoods where lot values have continued to appreciate. Stonewood manages the complete scope: existing structure assessment, selective or full demolition, City of Minnetonka and Hennepin County permitting, DNR shoreline compliance for lakefront parcels, and complete custom home construction on your existing lot. Our familiarity with Minnetonka’s specific zoning requirements, impervious surface ordinances, and tree preservation rules means clients do not navigate that complexity. We do.
Minnetonka Neighborhoods Stonewood Serves
Minnetonka’s residential geography is varied and rich. Its neighborhoods range from the lakefront estates of Grays Bay and Locust Hills to the established wooded character of Glen Lake and the executive homes of Brackett’s Estates. Stonewood serves clients throughout the city and in the adjacent communities that share its school districts and lake access.
Grays Bay and Locust Hills
The eastern gateway to Lake Minnetonka, Grays Bay is where the lake meets Minnehaha Creek and where some of Minnetonka’s most significant lakefront estates are located. Locust Hills, bordering Wayzata, hosts custom estate homes on the lake’s northwest shore. Stonewood builds and manages teardown-rebuilds throughout both areas.
Groveland and Libbs Lake
The Groveland neighborhood offers HOA-maintained dock access to Wayzata Bay, making it one of Minnetonka’s most desirable lake-access residential areas. Libbs Lake sits adjacent to Grays Bay Marina, providing waterfront home opportunities within walking distance of downtown Wayzata. Stonewood builds throughout both neighborhoods.
Glen Lake and Brackett’s Estates
Glen Lake has emerged as one of Minnetonka’s most active markets for luxury new construction and teardown-rebuilds. Brackett’s Estates offers private wooded estate lots with the established prestige of one of Minnetonka’s most respected residential areas. Stonewood builds custom homes and manages projects throughout both communities.
Tonka-Woodcroft and Williston Road
Established Minnetonka neighborhoods with mature trees, generous lots, and proximity to the city’s trail system and amenities. Tonka-Woodcroft and the Williston Road corridor are active teardown-rebuild and new construction markets where Stonewood’s design-build expertise delivers full value for well-positioned lots.
Minnetonka Schools and Community
Minnetonka is served by three school districts: the Minnetonka Public School District, the Wayzata School District, and the Hopkins School District. Minnetonka Public Schools are consistently recognized as one of the top school districts in Minnesota, with Minnetonka High School earning national recognition for academic outcomes and extracurricular programs. Wayzata Schools serve portions of northwestern Minnetonka, including the Grays Bay and Locust Hills areas, offering another nationally ranked educational option. Both districts are strong, and Stonewood factors school district boundaries into every Minnetonka client conversation where families are involved.
Beyond schools, Minnetonka’s community life is rich. The city maintains an extensive parks system including Lone Lake Park, Shady Oak Beach, and the Minnehaha Creek Trail corridor that connects lakefront neighborhoods to the rest of the city. Gray’s Bay Marina provides boat access to Lake Minnetonka for residents throughout the city. The proximity of Wayzata’s dining and shopping district, accessible by trail from many of Minnetonka’s northern neighborhoods, adds cultural amenity that reinforces the appeal of Minnetonka’s northwestern residential corridors. Every Stonewood home in Minnetonka is designed to engage with this outdoor and community-oriented lifestyle: covered decks and three-season porches for Minnesota’s long summer, site planning that connects the home to the natural landscape, and functional spaces that serve families who live actively.
Custom Home Values in Minnetonka MN
Minnetonka’s residential market is broad, but its luxury segment consistently reflects the value of its school quality, lake access, and location. Lakefront and lake-view properties in Grays Bay, Locust Hills, and Groveland command significant premiums, while interior luxury homes in established neighborhoods like Glen Lake and Brackett’s Estates trade on lot quality and school zone. Stonewood provides full pre-construction budget modeling for every Minnetonka client, so you understand the complete investment before a contract is signed. Contact us to schedule a discovery consultation specific to your lot and program in Minnetonka.
Request a Pre-Construction Consultation ›What Stonewood Builds in Minnetonka
Minnetonka Custom Home Services
Stonewood offers a complete range of luxury custom home services in Minnetonka, MN: from lakefront estate construction on Grays Bay and Libbs Lake to design-build on interior lots throughout the city. Every project begins with the same commitment: your vision, executed without compromise.
Waterfront and Lakefront Homes
Stonewood designs and builds custom lakefront homes throughout Minnetonka and the Lake Minnetonka shoreline, including all DNR setback compliance, impervious surface planning, dock engineering coordination, and lake-view-optimized architecture for Grays Bay, Libbs Lake, and the Locust Hills shoreline.
Teardown and Rebuild
Own a dated home on a prime Minnetonka lot? Stonewood manages complete teardown and custom rebuild, including demolition, all city and DNR permitting, and full construction, preserving your lot while delivering a home built for how you live today.
Build on Your Lot
Have a Minnetonka lot ready to build? Stonewood’s design-build team works from your lot’s specific characteristics: topography, tree canopy, setbacks, school zone, and views, to design a custom home that belongs exactly where it will stand.
Luxury Design and Build
From initial concept through certificate of occupancy, Stonewood’s integrated design-build process delivers a single point of responsibility, a unified team, and a seamless build experience for Minnetonka’s most discerning homeowners.
High-End Remodeling and Additions
For Minnetonka homeowners who want to transform an existing home rather than replace it, Stonewood delivers luxury remodeling and additions held to the same standards as our new construction, with full architectural design and dedicated project management throughout.
Architect-Designed Custom Homes
Stonewood partners with leading Twin Cities architects to deliver homes of genuine architectural distinction in Minnetonka, from contemporary lake houses with expansive glass and indoor-outdoor living to craftsman and transitional estates that reflect the established character of the city’s finest neighborhoods.
The Stonewood Process: How We Build Custom Homes in Minnetonka
Building a custom home is the largest financial decision most people ever make. At Stonewood, our process is designed so that at every single stage, from the first conversation to the day you receive your keys, you know exactly what is happening, why it is happening, and what comes next. Transparency is not a feature of our process. It is the foundation of it.
Discovery and Vision Alignment
Every Stonewood project in Minnetonka begins with a structured discovery meeting, not a sales call. We want to understand how you live: how your family uses space, what your relationship to the lake or the neighborhood looks like, what your morning routine is, and how you entertain. We learn about your lot, your school district preference, your timeline, and your aesthetic instincts. This is also where Stonewood shares its portfolio of completed Minnetonka-area homes, so you can see the standard of work we deliver before any agreement is signed. If Stonewood is the right builder for you, it becomes apparent here.
Site Analysis and Pre-Construction Budget
Before design begins, Stonewood conducts a thorough analysis of your Minnetonka lot. For waterfront parcels on Lake Minnetonka or Libbs Lake, this includes a full review of DNR shoreline regulations, impervious surface limits, and setback requirements. For interior lots or teardown-rebuild sites, we evaluate existing structure conditions, soil reports, tree preservation requirements, and utility connections. Simultaneously, Stonewood prepares a pre-construction budget: a detailed, line-by-line cost model built around your program and your specific site. You will know what your home will cost before we begin design. No surprises. No bait-and-switch.
Architectural Design and Custom Floor Plans
Stonewood works with a curated group of architects and designers who specialize in high-end residential construction in the Lake Minnetonka and greater Minneapolis corridor. The design process is collaborative and iterative: you are not handed a plan and asked to approve it. Design evolves through a series of working sessions where your feedback shapes the custom floor plan layout, ceiling heights, window placements, material palettes, and outdoor living integration. For Minnetonka clients, this phase pays particular attention to how the home engages the natural landscape, whether that means lake views, Minnehaha Creek access, wooded privacy, or the established streetscape of a well-defined neighborhood.
Permitting and Pre-Construction Planning
Stonewood manages all permitting with the City of Minnetonka, Hennepin County, and the Minnesota DNR on your behalf. For lakefront builds, this includes DNR shoreline permit applications and impervious surface compliance documentation. We prepare and submit all permit applications, respond to city review comments, and obtain all approvals before mobilizing. Simultaneously, our production team finalizes all trade contracts, subcontractor schedules, material procurement timelines, and site logistics. When construction begins, it begins with a fully coordinated plan, not a vague schedule that gets renegotiated week by week.
Construction and Real-Time Transparency
Stonewood’s construction phase is where our commitment to transparency becomes most tangible. Every Minnetonka client has access to a dedicated project dashboard with live visibility into schedule milestones, budget reconciliation, change orders, and photo updates. Weekly progress reports include photo evidence of completed work and notes on upcoming milestones. Significant decisions or changes, anything that affects budget or timeline, require your explicit approval before Stonewood proceeds. You will never receive a surprise invoice or discover that a change was made without your knowledge. This level of accountability is not standard in the custom home industry. At Stonewood, it is non-negotiable.
Quality Control and Inspections
Stonewood employs a multi-point quality control protocol at every critical phase of construction: framing, rough mechanicals, insulation, drywall, trim, and final finishes. Material verification confirms that specified products are actually installed. We coordinate all municipal inspections required by Minnetonka building code and, where warranted, engage independent third-party quality audits. For waterfront builds on Lake Minnetonka, this includes inspection of shoreline drainage infrastructure and dock-related construction. Nothing is signed off until Stonewood is satisfied it meets our standards, which are higher than code.
Closing, Walkthrough, and Warranty
As your Minnetonka custom home approaches completion, Stonewood conducts a detailed pre-closing walkthrough to identify and resolve any punch list items before your move-in date. We provide complete documentation packages including warranty information for all installed systems, appliance manuals, paint colors and material specifications, and contact information for all major trade contractors. Stonewood stands behind every home we build with a comprehensive builder’s warranty, and our commitment to client relationships does not end at closing. Our clients in Minnetonka and throughout the Lake Minnetonka area know they can call us long after move-in day.
Technology-Driven Transparency on Every Minnetonka Build
Your Project Dashboard
Stonewood clients in Minnetonka have 24/7 access to a dedicated project dashboard with live visibility into schedule milestones, budget reconciliation, change orders, and photo documentation. Whether you are in Minnetonka daily or traveling for work, your project is always fully transparent and always accessible.
Comprehensive Visual Documentation
- Drone Photography: Aerial progress documentation of your Minnetonka build, capturing roofline, landscaping, and lake or site orientation at every major construction milestone.
- 360-Degree Photography: Immersive interior walkthroughs so you can experience your Stonewood home at any construction phase, from anywhere in the world.
- Before and After Documentation: Especially important for teardown-rebuild projects, these complete photographic records serve insurance, warranty, and personal history purposes.
- Weekly Photo Reports: Every progress report includes photo evidence with written notes. Never a vague status update without visual proof.
Financial Controls That Protect You
- Milestone-Tied Payments: Structured payment schedules tied to verified, completed milestones, not arbitrary dates on a calendar.
- Independent Verification: Work completion is independently verified before any draw is released.
- Change Order Approval: No change moves forward without your written approval. No exceptions.
- Budget Reconciliation: Regular budget reconciliation and cash-flow forecasting throughout your Minnetonka build.
Common Questions
Minnetonka Custom Home Builder FAQ
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Stonewood brings over seventy years of Lake Minnetonka custom home expertise to every Minnetonka project, from first conversation to final walkthrough. Contact us today to schedule a discovery meeting and learn what Stonewood can build for you.
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Where Stonewood Builds in Minnetonka
Stonewood custom homes are built throughout Minnetonka, from its lakefront estates on Grays Bay and Libbs Lake to its established wooded neighborhoods and the corridors connecting Minnetonka to Wayzata and Lake Minnetonka.
Lake Minnetonka Waterfront, Minnetonka MN
Grays Bay and Grays Bay Boulevard
Grays Bay is where Lake Minnetonka meets Minnehaha Creek and where some of Minnetonka’s most significant lakefront estates are located. Grays Bay Boulevard and adjacent streets including Bushaway Road and Locust Hill Drive are among the most coveted addresses in the city. Stonewood builds custom homes and manages teardown-rebuilds throughout this corridor.
Lakefront Estates, Minnetonka MN
Locust Hills and Bantas Point
On the northwest shore of Grays Bay, adjacent to Wayzata, Locust Hills is home to some of Minnetonka’s most significant lakefront estates. Bantas Point Road and Bantas Point Lane are among the most sought-after addresses in the area. Stonewood is an active builder and teardown-rebuild specialist throughout Locust Hills.
Lake Access Neighborhood, Minnetonka MN
Groveland and Libbs Lake
Groveland provides HOA-maintained dock access to Wayzata Bay, making it one of Minnetonka’s most desirable lake-access residential communities. Adjacent Libbs Lake offers waterfront home opportunities within walking distance of Gray’s Bay Marina and the Wayzata boardwalk. Stonewood builds custom homes throughout both neighborhoods.
Luxury New Construction, Minnetonka MN
Glen Lake Area
One of Minnetonka’s most active markets for luxury new construction and teardown-rebuilds, the Glen Lake area attracts buyers who want the Minnetonka Schools advantage on well-positioned wooded lots. Stonewood is an active builder throughout the Glen Lake corridor.
Private Wooded Enclave, Minnetonka MN
Brackett’s Estates
A private and established wooded enclave in Minnetonka, Brackett’s Estates offers large lots, mature trees, and the kind of privacy that defines a true estate setting within a city. Stonewood builds custom homes and manages projects throughout Brackett’s Estates.
Established Neighborhood, Minnetonka MN
Tonka-Woodcroft
A beloved and well-established Minnetonka neighborhood with mature landscaping, wooded lots, and proximity to the city’s trail system. Tonka-Woodcroft is an active market for teardown-rebuilds and Stonewood builds custom homes throughout this community.
Minnetonka Boulevard Corridor, Minnetonka MN
Williston Road and Minnetonka Boulevard
Two of Minnetonka’s primary residential corridors, Williston Road and Minnetonka Boulevard connect the city’s neighborhoods to its schools, parks, and the broader metro. Residential streets throughout this corridor offer outstanding custom home and teardown-rebuild opportunities. Stonewood builds throughout both areas.
Creek Corridor, Minnetonka MN
Minnehaha Creek and Bushaway Road
The Minnehaha Creek corridor winds through some of Minnetonka’s most picturesque residential streets, connecting the city to Lake Minnetonka and the broader parks system. Stonewood builds custom homes and manages teardown-rebuilds throughout the Minnehaha Creek and Bushaway Road areas.
Large Lots Near Ridgedale, Minnetonka MN
Hilloway Park and Highland Road
Hilloway Park and the Highland Road area in central Minnetonka offer large lots with wooded privacy, convenient access to Ridgedale and major commute routes, and proximity to top-ranked Minnetonka Schools. Stonewood builds custom homes and manages estate projects throughout this area.