Featuring 21 High-End New Homes and Eight Remodeled Homes
The Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) ticketed, high-end home event, the Artisan Home Tour, is set to open for its third season on June 10th. This year, the Tour features 21 artisan-quality new homes open from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm on June 10-11-12; 17-18-19; and 24-25-26. And, eight artisan-quality remodeled homes will be open the final weekend, June 24-25-26 only.
Homes that are showcased on the Artisan Home Tour have each been designed and constructed with the highest level of architectural integrity, top quality craftsmanship, and exceptionally high finish level. These million-dollar-plus residences also feature today’s most popular designs, materials, accessories and colors.
Tickets
A TourTicket (good for all homes) or a single-visit ticket is required for entry into the homes. TourTickets can be purchased at area Bachman’s at a discounted rate of $20. TourTickets can also be purchased online at ArtisanHomeTour.org for $25, or at the door of any home on the tour for $30. Discount coupons are also available at all area Holiday Stationstores for redemption online or at any Artisan Home. For those interested in just visiting one or two individual homes, single-visit tickets are available for $5 at the door.
For every ticket sold, $10 (TourTickets) and $2 (single-visit tickets) will be donated to the BATC Foundation. This amount is tax-deductible for visitors, and helps the Foundation continue its work building and remodeling homes for families in need. Plans for 2017 projects are focused on housing for Veterans.
Details, Photos, Maps
All of the homes on tour are featured online at ArtisanHomeTour.org, in the accompanying mobile app, Parade Craze, and in the comprehensive Artisan Home Tour Guidebook.
The Artisan Home Tour Guidebook is direct mailed to high-income households in the Twin Cities region, included with the Summer issue of Artful Living Magazine, and can be picked up at Bachman’s ticket locations. An e-book version is viewable online at ArtisanHomeTour.org.
In addition to providing an easy-to-use, online ticketing application, our mobile app, Parade Craze, allows visitors to review homes (including photos) map out their tour route, plus rate and comment on the homes they tour.
Homes Located throughout the Twin Cities
The Lake Minnetonka area has the most homes, with nine new homes and four remodeled homes — specifically in Wayzata (4), Orono (4), Shorewood (3), and MInnestrista (1). On the west side, there are five new homes located in Edina, two in Minneapolis, one in Chaska, and one remodeled home in Bloomington. On the east side there are two new homes and one remodeled home in Woodbury, two new homes in Hudson, WI, one new home each in Gem Lake and West Lakeland, plus a remodeled home in St. Paul and another in Mendota Heights.
Homes in a Variety of Styles
Architecturally, the Artisan Homes range from contemporary to rustic, and everything in between. There are cottage-style homes and bungalows; traditional European designs, even a modern interpretation of the ever-popular prairie style. This may be the year of the lighthouse, as two homes have distinctive lighthouse turrets, one with a working light.
Designed with lifestyle in mind, Artisan Homes include details and features that make family living more comfortable, more convenient, and more fun. Technology is central to most homes, with several sporting smart technology and smart-phone controls. For fun, sport courts are still very popular, including one home with dual courts, one for soccer and one for hockey. There are plenty of exercise rooms, craft rooms, and a dedicated yoga space. Many of the homes boast wine cellars, and one has a built-in microbrewery.
Rustic, natural finishes remain popular, with wood beams and barn doors and lots of wood in a number of the Artisan Homes. More modern looks are also embraced, with splashes of black and gold, mixed metals, minimalist lines, and even one home showing off a distinct mid-century modern mindset.
All of the Artisan Homes boast layouts that speak to the way families live today. Kitchens boast top-line appliances and uniquely beautiful finishes, with conveniences at every turn. There’s even a barbecue kitchen in one home with a wood-burning fireplace that can handle five-foot-long logs.
Outdoor living is maximized in these homes as well. Most blur the lines between inside and out for exceptional entertaining options. There are lots of screen porches, decks, patios, outdoor kitchens, and at least one pool.
Minnesota’s Green Path Artisan Homes
For those interested in energy efficiency and green, six of the homes have gone through MN Green Path energy testing, with one earning an Advanced Green Path certification (#R24, Michels Homes). Each will have a Green Path Home Performance Report available to show testing results and green features.
Wine and Beer Tasting
Every Friday evening from 3:00 to 6:00 pm, visitors will be able to taste wines from Artisan beverage partners Bronco Wine Company (June 10th) and Breakthru Beverages (June 24th) or beer from Flat Earth Brewing Company (June 17th).
Limousine Packages
Another way visitors can enhance their visits is by taking the tour in style. With partner, Black Tie Limousine, the Artisan Home Tour also offers six-hour limousine packages during the tour. Pricing and information is available online at ArtisanHomeTour.org.
Produced by BATC
As with all Parade of Homes events, every home on the tour has been built by a member of BATC. Each BATC member must sign a code of ethics and has access to valuable resources and information from BATC and its state and national affiliates.
Sponsors and Partners
Thanks to our Master sponsors: Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and Marvin Design Gallery by Shaw/Stewart. Thanks to our Journeyman sponsors: JamesHardie, Marvin Windows and Doors, Granite-Tops, and Hedberg Landscape and Masonry Supply.
LookBook Coming
During the tour, all of the Artisan Homes will be professionally photographed by Landmark Photography. Photos will be included in an Artisan Home Tour LookBook published this fall, distributed in the Fall issue of partner, Artful Living Magazine, and online in e-magazine format at ArtisanHomeTour.org.