PORTICO ON THE GREEN - MASTER PLAN

THE VILLAGE GREEN CONCEPT
Inspired by the American small town neighborhood, the homes are clustered around two “Village Greens”. The greens, large commonly shared lawns lined with shade trees and sidewalks, are the heart of Portico. They encourage use and nurturing by the families that live on them. They are not just places to be looked at but used…perfect for informal sports for kids and grandkids, lawn games, picnics, gathering places for graduation parties and wedding receptions, or a quiet place for two to just sit and talk.

23 INDIVIDUALLY DESIGNED HOMES
Each home will be one of a kind for each family’s needs and style. Size of the homes will be limited or controlled, particularly the footprint. These will be highly detailed, expertly crafted homes where quality of space is more important than quantity of square footage. All garages will be at the rear of the homes. Homes will have front porches or verandas overlooking the village greens. The exterior of the homes will have a basis in historic architecture with fine detailing but will reflect the living patterns of today’s families. We will challenge the standard room patterns and strive to omit seldom used “decorative rooms”. Fine homes don’t need to be enormous. Only high quality construction materials, the latest technology and fine workmanship will be used in the homes of Portico.

LIVING LIGHTLY ON THE LAND
The first step in planning Portico was deciding where not to build. The wetland and woodlands were set-aside first, with homes placed on the remaining land. Over 50 percent of Portico is protected in perpetuity through conservation and open space easements. Portico goes beyond this first step. A unique storm water treatment drain system filters phosphorus and sediments through a series of natural spaces. Therefore the runoff water entering the wetlands is cleaned naturally. Invasive plants will be removed. Native plants and ecological concepts form the fabric of the natural open spaces. The plantings are designed by trained ecologists for their authenticity and beauty. We are stewards of the land; our good stewardship passes the land to future generations.

LOCATION
Twenty-four acres of wooded land in this part of Minnetonka is an extremely rare find. Portico lies just a minute or two east of the city of Wayzata with its fine shops, restaurants and Lake Minnetonka views. Due to its close-in location, driving times to downtown, the airport and the businesses along the 494/394 corridors are short and easy. For families, Portico is within the Wayzata School District with Breck and Providence Academy nearby.

CARRIAGE HOUSES
Portico offers and unprecedented opportunity to plan for the future. The homeowners can create a Life Cycle Home for generations of their family. As people and families change, the home should be planned to do the same. A carriage house living space will be designed about the 3-car garages. An independent entry will provide space for a private stair leading to the suite. Elevators are optional; all homes are pre-planned for elevators. Parents, young adults, relations, nannies, students, caretakers or renters can use these loft livings spaces. This space can be constructed now or in the future. These are homes for the seasons of your life.

HOMEOWNERSHIP WITH LOW MAINTENANCE
Each home has its own lot. The common land is held as open space maintained by a Homeowners Association. The lots are compact, reducing the time required to maintain them yet allowing the freedom of individual ownership. The streets are owned and maintained by the City of Minnetonka. Snow removal for individual homes is provided by the association.

NEIGHBORHOOD CRAFTING
The fabric of Portico is created by the homes and their open communication to the land itself. No homes look directly into a neighbor’s backyard. The views to the rear are onto natural open space and views to the front are onto the village greens. With the large windows and sunlight, that is a Waters trademark; homeowners will truly feel part of the landscape.


NEIGHBORHOOD STATISTICS