Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Luxury Home Tour?
The Luxury Home Tour is an exclusive self-guided home tour event featuring 15 of the most magnificent multimillion-dollar homes in the Twin Cities. The participating homes will unveil the latest trends in architecture, design, décor, craftsmanship, interior design, technology, appliances and landscaping.
When is the tour?
The Luxury Home Tour takes place over three consecutive weekends in June. Tour dates are June 11-13, 18-20, 25-27, 2010. The homes are open to the public on Fridays from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 6 p.m. On Fridays, participating houses will offer fine wine paired with gourmet cheese starting at 3 p.m.
Where is the tour?
The Luxury Home Tours features houses throughout the Twin Cities in some of the most sought-after residential communities including: Eden Prairie, Edina, Gem Lake, Medina, Minnetonka, Minnetrista, North Oaks, Rosemount, Stillwater, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland. Maps with tour locations and directions are included on the ticket.
How do I buy tickets for the tour?
Passport tickets are available for advance purchase starting June 1, 2010, at Twin Cities Caribou Coffee locations. Advance tickets cost $20 and allow one-time admittance into every home on the tour. Passports can also be purchased during the tour at participating homes for $25, or $5 for single-home access. Visitors 5 years old and younger can access the homes for free.
What’s new this year?
Other than new trends from the latest designers, there are new events within the Tour that allow attendees to “wine and dine by design”!
- Girls Night Out
This tres-chic gathering lets you and your best gals pals surround yourselves with luxe design, epicurean delights, stylish fashions and delectable wines! Upon your arrival, your wine sample and Midwest Home swag bag awaits. Enjoy Galleria restaurant chef demonstrations at select homes, where the food on your plate will mirror the stylish surroundings and call for nothing short of pairing with the perfect Trinchero wine. See the latest fashion trends from the Galleria with informal modeling taking place at select homes. Affordable limo packages available from Black Tie Limousine will let you truly arrive in style. Additional ticket required.
- Backyard BBQ
Sample a sizzlin’ piece of meat from the outdoor kitchen, challenge your friends to a game of croquet, and take this chance to tour the Luxury Home Tour’s most lush landscapes supplied by Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies!
- Brunch with the Builder
Want to take the next step in building your dream home? This is your chance to get an in-depth explanation of the custom home-building process and meet with your favorite builder on the Luxury Home Tour. Find out how he can make your dream home a reality, all while enjoying a delectable brunch. RSVP at the home with your builder of choice prior to June 21. No additional ticket required.
Who benefits from the purchase of my ticket?
All proceeds benefit Minnesota Public Radio, one of the nation's premier public radio organizations.
How does the tour work? Is there a tour guide?
Tours are self-guided, so guests can go as fast or slow as they’d like. The builders are on-site at each home to answer questions and can point out the home’s unique features.
Who built the tour homes?
Each home on the Luxury Home Tour is custom built by one of the Twin Cities’ premier home builders. This year’s participating home builders include: American Classic Homes, Aulik & Associates, BriCo Construction, Classic Home Design, Denali Custom Homes, Keith Waters & Associates, John Kraemer & Sons, inc., L. Cramer Designers & Builders, McNulty Homes, On the Level Inc., Pillar Homes, Ridge Creek Custom Homes, Steiner & Kopplemen, Stonewood LLC, TJB Homes, Inc.
What are some of the latest trends in luxury living?
- Wine Rooms
Small wine cellars are so 2009. Our favorites are at Home #1 where the wine room uses impeccable stonework and an arched glass wall so the wine collection can be viewed across the room, and at Home #12 where you simply must see it to believe. It holds the largest capacity of any home on the Tour: 1500 bottles, is temperature controlled, plus the L-shape gives the room a “I-never-want-to-leave-this-space” feeling. Also a fave: Home #14 where wine labels were creatively added into the flooring giving it that true custom look.
- Color Palette:
Think mochas or grays paired with the always clean and crisp-looking white enameled trim. Add dark ebony-stained floors and this is the new must-have look. See Homes #4 and #9.
- Outdoor Rooms
The trick is to creating a “room” instead of a patio. Plush furnishings, ample lighting, Phantom Screens, 24-foot-wide sliding glass doors and dramatic views make summer-living in Minnesota effortless and always in style. Our faves: Home #1, #4 & #12. Also kudos to Home #3 which has a pool, lavish outdoor entertaining space, plus an outdoor shower which makes rinsing off after a day in the backyard swimming in the pool or Lake Minnetonka so refreshing.
- Minimalist Design
Less is more (not to mention always tidy-looking) is the new luxe. The masters at creating this look? Homes #4 and #11.
- Man Caves
Two level, six car, heated floor garages (Home #2); and cigar and poker rooms (Home #7) are the latest additions to men’s home retreats.
- Mother-in-Law Suites
How thoughtful the builders thought of this! Mom can enjoy a private attached wing at Home #5.
- Hidden Rooms
Whether it’s with the pull of a bookcase (Homes #3 and #9), a secret tunnel that connects two children’s closets (Home #5), or a secret room revealed behind bookcases in two childrens’ rooms that leads to a secret play space-it’s all about the nostalgic private seclusion.
Where can I find more information about the Luxury Home Tour?
For information including maps, photos, builder profiles and house features, visit www.luxuryhometour.net.
