New players enter real estate market

August 6, 2015 at 11:50PM

We've had a couple of new openings in the Twin Cities in recent days. David Weekley Homes, a big homebuilder based in Houston, Texas, has been building since 1976 and is now working in 12 states and has built more than 75,000 homes.

The company's debut project in the Twin Cities will be The Cove at Lake Minnetonka in Minnetrista. The houses will be priced at $700,000 and up and will feature 90-foot lakefront sites, side-swing garages and covered porches.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to expand our product offering and introduce our innovative designs to home buyers in this great area," said Chairman David Weekley about the company's entry into this market.

Division President Ian Peterson has been in the industry more than two decades, including leadership positions at several Midwest companies. He has a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Michigan State University and a master's degree in project management from Northwestern University.

Also this week, Engel & Völkers, a real estate company that caters to upscale buyers, opened its first office in Minnesota. The company is based in Hamburg, Germany, and has opened several offices across the country in recent months.

The office will have eight agents in a storefront space at 16th and Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. The unit will be led by Geoff Bray and Lindsay Bacigalupo, who have a combined 25-plus years of experience in this market.

"With its rich professional sports atmosphere, nationally recognized natural attractions, notable universities and thriving arts center, Minneapolis is the ideal city to launch Engel & Völkers' Midwest footprint," said Anthony Hitt, CEO of Engel & Völkers North America.

With large corporations like Target, UnitedHealthcare and General Mills headquartered in the region, he said the area has emerged as a "key residential destination for both domestic and international buyers."

Jim Buchta • 612-673-7376

about the writer

about the writer

Jim Buchta

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Jim Buchta has covered real estate for the Star Tribune for several years. He also has covered energy, small business, consumer affairs and travel.

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