Building in Woodland, MN: A Custom Home Builder’s Perspective
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There are certain pockets around Lake Minnetonka that people know right away: Wayzata, Orono, Excelsior. And then there are places like Woodland.
If you know it, you know it. If you don’t, there’s a good chance that’s by design.
What Makes Woodland Different
I’ll start by saying this: I haven’t personally built a custom home in Woodland yet. I think that matters, and I always want to be upfront about what I know firsthand versus what I’ve experienced through proximity.
That said, Woodland sits right in the middle of a cluster of communities I know really well including Deephaven, Cottagewood, and the southeast side of Lake Minnetonka. Cottagewood, in particular, is where we’re building Mysa Hus, so I spend a lot of time in that area.
Woodland feels more exclusive than some of the surrounding communities. Not because it’s louder or more visible, it’s actually the opposite.
Why Families Are Drawn to Woodland Homes
If I had to narrow it down, I’d say privacy is the biggest draw.
Woodland lives up to its name. It’s heavily treed, and many of the properties sit directly on Lake Minnetonka, often with west-facing views that give you some incredible sunsets.
It’s also small. There just isn’t a lot of land there, which naturally makes it more exclusive. And unlike other lake communities, you won’t find a bunch of restaurants or commercial spaces right in town.
For the right buyer, that’s not a downside. That’s the point.
What to Know Before Buying Land in Woodland
One of the biggest things? You have to be patient.
Properties in Woodland don’t come up often. And when they do, it’s usually not heavily advertised. A lot of it moves through relationships and word of mouth.
The other thing that surprises people is how connected it still is. Even though it feels private, you’re just a short drive to Wayzata, Excelsior, Edina, or even downtown Minneapolis.
That balance, privacy without isolation, is what makes it so desirable.
How the Land Shapes the Homes
When you’re building in Woodland, the land does a lot of the talking.
The mature trees, the lake, the natural topography all create a setting where custom homes feel very connected to nature.
You can be 20 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, but it feels like you’re up north.
That’s a unique combination, and it’s something I think good design should respect. Not fight against. The best homes in Woodland don’t try to stand out. They settle in.
What Life Actually Feels Like There
One of my favorite things about this side of the lake is the contrast.
In the summer, you can be five minutes from downtown Wayzata grabbing coffee, walking the lake, getting ice cream with your kids, and being around people. Then you head home… and it’s quiet again. Almost like coming back to a cabin.
In the winter, it shifts completely. The lake becomes part of daily life in a different way: skating, hockey, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, or just walking out across the frozen water.
It’s a lifestyle that changes with the seasons, and that’s a big part of the appeal.
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What Style Fits Woodland Best
If I had to pick one style of home designs, I’d say traditional architecture still feels most at home here.
That’s true across most of Minnesota, but especially in wooded, lake-driven environments like Woodland.
You’ll see a lot of:
Shake and shingle siding
Natural stone
Warmer, cabin-inspired elements
That said, I don’t think it’s about picking a style as much as it is about how the home sits on the land.
I’ve seen contemporary homes work really well in these settings too, when they’re done with intention.
How We Build
For us at MDW, that southeast corridor (Excelsior, Greenwood, Cottagewood, Deephaven, Woodland) is where a lot of our clients naturally gravitate.
It attracts people who care about quality craftsmanship, detail, and thoughtful design throughout the entire building process. That’s our kind of client.
What’s interesting about Woodland specifically is that the lots can be larger, which gives more flexibility. But even then, the people drawn to Woodland aren’t typically looking to build something oversized just for the sake of it. They want something that’s well built, intentional, and timeless.
The First Conversation
If someone called me and said,“We’re thinking about buying a lot in Woodland…”
I’d probably start with:“Great choice.” And I’d mean it.
Then we’d talk about lifestyle.
How private do you want it to feel?
How do you want to use the home?
What does a typical day or weekend look like for you?
Because in a place like Woodland, those answers matter more than anything else.
And honestly, I’d probably also say… “The fact that you even know where Woodland is…that’s a good sign.”
It’s one of those places that stays a little under the radar. And that’s exactly why people love it.
