Property Description
Some woodland properties are purchased for recreation or hunting.
Some are purchased for privacy.
Some are purchased for the sustainable lifestyle they make possible.
This property offers all three.
Located in Richville, Minnesota, this extraordinary 48.3-acre property was thoughtfully designed and developed around the Permaculture principles of sustainability, resilience, energy independence, accessibility, and long-term livability. With nearly 800 feet of shoreline on secluded Lake Alice — a pristine spring-fed lake with no public access — the setting offers a level of privacy and quiet that has become increasingly rare.
It is a three hour drive from Minneapolis, MN or 1.5 hour drive from Fargo, ND in rural Ottertail County MN, which has more natural lakes than any other county in the world. It is located in one of the few places on earth that is benefiting from the warmer and wetter climate change that is projected for the region.
The land itself is a blend of wooded acreage, open meadows, productive growing space, trails, shoreline, and carefully planned infrastructure. What makes this property unique is not simply the collection of features, but the way everything was intentionally designed to work together.
From the beginning, the Master Architect/owner wanted a sustainable property for himself and his family for many generations to come. He approached the property with the philosophy that true sustainability requires redundancy and adaptability. All critical systems were designed with backup capability and long-term functionality in mind. The result is a property that feels both highly practical and deeply connected to the landscape around it.
THE HOME
The main residence (Lakehouse) is a two-level lake home connected by a stairway and a two-sided elevator, allowing easy wheelchair access between levels and creating long-term functionality for a wide range of ages, mobility needs and uses. The home functions as a 3 bedroom, 2 full bathroom residence, or two separate suites with flexible spaces suitable for guests, multi-generational living, hobby use, office space, meeting/gathering space and rental opportunities.
The upper level (Lakeview Suite) has a wall of windows under a dramatic LED lit cathedral ceiling overlooking Lake Alice. Large south-facing glass walls were carefully positioned to maximize passive solar heat gain during the winter months while capturing lake views and natural light throughout the day. During the summer, strategically positioned solar awnings help shade the home while still preserving views of the lake and surrounding forest.
The lower level (Garden Suite) was specifically designed to function as both a comfortable living space and a highly energy efficient thermal environment. Dark stained concrete floors absorb winter sunlight and help regulate temperatures naturally. A wood-fired cook stove provides cooking, baking, space heating, and supplemental hydronic heating, plust heat for the sauna. Adjacent masonry heat-storage walls absorb heat and gradually distribute it into the home and sauna area. Integrated colored glass bricks provide a soothing natural glow in the sauna.
The overall feel of the home is warm, functional, simple and intentional. Rather than relying on in-expensive mass-produced materials or trendy finishes, the property was built using durable systems and materials chosen for reliability, longevity and sustainability. Copper plumbing was used instead of PVC. Rock wool insulation was selected over fiberglass. Bentonite waterproofing replaced plastic membranes in key areas. Stainless steel and long-lasting materials were prioritized throughout the project.
The home also includes:
* Electric range and refrigerator/freezers
* Instant Hot/Cold drinking water dispensers
* Iron water filtration
* Secondary drinking water filtration
* Heat-o-lator equipped fireplace
* High speed fiber optic internet service
8 LED lighting throughout
* Smart home lighting controls
* Seven-zone Sonos audio system (Option)
* Ventilation ducting and domestic water piping that allow upper level winter shut down.
* Ground-source heat pump system for
- Whole house ventilation, heating and air conditioning
- Hydronic in-floor heating
- Whole-house domestic hot water
* Remote wifi controllable HVAC systems.
* Wheelchair accessible bathrooms and living spaces
* Accessible infrastructure throughout
* Accessible Sauna with both wood and electric heat sources
* Hidden In-floor safe
* Andersen thermopane windows and doors
* Cross-ventilation design for natural cooling/airflow
* Detached, insulated, two-car garage/workshop with attached lumber storage shed
* Wood-burning garage/workshop stove
* Power ventilation in Garage
* EV charging station in Garage
* Remote controlled power overhead garage door operators
* Wrap around Lakeview Suite deck with gates for pets and little kids plus a connected treehouse.
* Pervious concrete walkways that reduce edge erosion and increase traction in winter
* Detached firewood storage for pallets of firewood that can be rolled to the house.
* A secure stairway closure system allows the upper and lower levels of the home to be separated for winterization, privacy, guest use, or potential rental arrangements.
Outside, the property becomes even more impressive.
Decks and patios surround the house providing views in all directions. Eagles, geese, swans and loons are only some of the many birds that call Lake Alice home.
The treehouse that is attached to the deck provides kids, adults and even wheelchair users with a unique outpost in the trees to watch the deer, turkeys, fox, bear and other animals that migrate through the yard on their way around Lake Alice and the much larger, connected Dead Lake, which can be seen from space in satellite photos.
THE LAND
The land itself is equally impressive. For hundreds of generations, Ojibwe and Lakota Sioux people recognized the sacred value of the lands, waters and non-human beings in this area. They fought over it, cared for it and still cherish it to this day. The current owners have tried to follow their lead in caring for the land and waters. They hope to sell it to new stewards who share that commitment to the earth.
The property includes approximately 13 acres of mixed hardwood forest that provide wildlife habitat, natural beauty, and renewable firewood resources. There are many maple trees that have been tapped for syrup in the past. The southeast corner of the property is a wetland that supports a wide array of water fowl and amphibians, as well as being a water source for mammals in the area. Trails wind through the property for hiking, exploring, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing during the winter months. In total, approximately three miles of trails have been created throughout the acreage.
The shoreline on Lake Alice remains natural and relatively undisturbed, preserving the quiet character of a northwoods lake and supporting local wildlife. There is a small shore-edge platform and floating swimming raft on the property. Because the lake has no public access, boat traffic is minimal, creating a peaceful setting for swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, or simply enjoying the water.
Lake Alice is known locally as a quality fishing lake with bass and other game fish. A beaver lodge can be seen across the lake. The property is at the headwaters of the larger Ottertail watershed system that eventually flows north to Hudson’s Bay.
THE FOOD FOREST
In 2021, approximately 25 acres of former hayfield were transformed into meadow and Food Forest areas, including ~6.25 acres of tillable land. Around 500 hardwood and fruit-bearing trees were lovingly planted by nearly 100 friends and neighbors who recognized the importance and value of planting trees for rejuvenating the planet. Balsam Fir, Black Walnut, Black Cherry, Chokecherry, Sugar Maple, American Plum, Red Oak, Black Chokeberry, White Cedar and Tamarack trees were planted with attention to soil, orientation, water flow, forest/meadow edge habitat creation, and long-term ecological diversity. The fruit trees are now beginning to reach the age when they are producing fruit. The result is a landscape that continues to mature and evolve naturally over time, attracting and nurturing wildlife and providing food for the occupants.
YEAR-ROUND FOOD PRODUCTION
One of the most important sustainability features of the property is the Deep Winter Greenhouse (DWG) and adjacent outdoor garden system. The DWG is a slight modification of Version 2.2 plans published by the Center for Sustainable Building Research of the University of Minnesota School of Architecture in 2017.
Unlike many seasonal greenhouses, Deep Winter Greenhouses are designed specifically for year-round growing in northern Minnesota conditions without auxiliary heat. The DWG uses an integrated underground rock-bed thermal storage system combined with triple-wall polycarbonate glazing and passive solar principles to regulate temperature naturally.
According to the owners, the greenhouse has operated year-round without auxiliary heat and reportedly remains above approximately 41 degrees even during the coldest winter conditions using only small air circulation fans.
The greenhouse includes:
* Integrated heat sink rock bed with ventilation ducts, manifolds and small in-line fans.
* Ability to separate the growing room into two separate spaces for polonization.
* Triple-glazed polycarbonate south wall.
* Super-insullated side walls and roof.
* Power operated ventilation windows.
* Industrial Dehumidifier
* Work room with sink and workbench.
* Concrete floor with Floor drains.
* Well water supply.
* Rainwater collection system.
* Tiered growing racks for ~50 seedling trays
* Distributed irrigation system
* Year-round growing capability.
The upper and lower levels of the Lakehouse overlook the fenced Hugelkultur vegetable and flower bed surrounding a pollinator garden with an internal spiral meditative walkway. The Hugelkultur bed is a raised mound with organic material at its core that provides hydration and nutrients over time. This provides a large, easily reached highly productive gardening opportunity that is easily accessible and enjoyed from both levels of the house.
For buyers interested in gardening, homesteading, food production, healthy lifestyle or self-sufficient living, the greenhouse and gardens represent a tremendous asset rarely found in residential properties.
THE RUSTY SHED
Near the road stands a large 32' x 84' pole building referred to as the “Rusty Shed.” This building dramatically expands the functionality of the property and could support a wide variety of uses including:
* Workshop space
* Equipment storage
* Farm or homestead operations
* Business use
* Retail Opportunity
* Vehicle storage
* Fabrication or hobby space
* Studio or creative work area
* Future finishing or expansion
* Meeting space
* RV hook-up
* Festival venue
The building includes three oversized 12' x 14' overhead doors along with infrastructure for reduced rate hydronic in-floor heating using an 18-inch deep sand bed beneath the concrete floor.
Additional features include:
* Running water from rainwater collection and elevated cistern
* Composting toilet
* Remote controlled power overhead garage door operator
* Pervious concrete walkway that reduces edge erosion and increases traction in winter
* Heat source ready hydronic shop floor
* Accessible infrastructure throughout
* 110 and 220 outlets
* Security camera cabling
* High speed fiber optic internet
Combined with the separate solar array and utility setup, the building creates opportunities that go far beyond standard residential storage.
SOLAR AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Energy independence was a major priority in the design of the property. The Rusty Shed has a substantial 41 kW ground-mounted photovoltaic solar array tied into the Lake Region Electric Cooperative electrical grid. According to the owners, the system produces more electricity than the property has typically consumed, creating monthly income averaging over $350/month.
A separate, carefully designed, dual-awning solar-array serves the Lakehouse, providing 17 kW of interconnected power and un-obstructed views plus shaded outdoor living areas during summer months yet deep sunlight penetration in the winter.
Additional utility and sustainability features include:
* Wifi remote monitoring of solar power systems.
* Optional power assist and manual tricycles, tandem tricycle and trailer that with EV charger provide 0 fossil fuel transportation system.
ACCESSIBILITY AND LIFE-LONG LIVABILITY
Another unique aspect of the property is the extensive attention given to handicap accessibility and life-long usability, but in a way that is almost invisible to the casual observer.
All of the buildings are wheelchair accessible, with wide doors and no-step entrances, connected by inconspicuous accessible sidewalks, boardwalks and ramps. Rather than treating accessibility as an afterthought, the property was designed to seamlessly integrate accessibility features making it comfortable and functional for people of varying mobility levels at all stages of life.
Features include:
* Two-sided elevator
* Electrical outlets and switches at comfortable heights
* No-step entrances
* Maneuvering spaces at doors for walkers, crutches and wheelchairs
* Turning spaces in every room for mobility devices
* Roll-in shower
* Grab-bars at toilets and bathing facilities
* Accessible sauna
* Accessible bathroom layouts
* Knee and toe clearance under sinks and work surfaces
* Wheelchair-height fixtures
* Lever-style door, cabinet and equipment hardware for limited hand dexterity
* Accessible boardwalk and ramp systems between buildings
This attention to accessibility makes the property unusually adaptable for life-long living, aging in place, or accommodating guests and family members with differing physical needs.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF PROPERTY
It is difficult to compare this property to a traditional lake home, hobby farm, or country residence because it was never intended to be ordinary.
This is a property for someone who values:
* privacy
* independence
* thoughtful design
* sustainability
* resilience
* nature
* long-term functionality
* self-sufficient living
* year-round recreation
* quiet surroundings
At the same time, the property does not feel isolated from modern conveniences. Fiber optic internet, smart home systems, quality modern construction, extensive infrastructure, and strong utility systems create a level of comfort and practicality not often associated with off-grid or homestead-style properties.
Whether envisioned as a full-time residence, retreat property, hunting lodge, family compound, non-profit educational facility, corporate retreat, homestead, creative escape, or long-term legacy property, the possibilities here are substantial and almost unlimited.
Properties like this are exceptionally difficult to recreate. The amount of planning, infrastructure, engineering, land stewardship, and vision invested into this property would be extraordinarily time-consuming and expensive to duplicate today, especially on a lake and with this much mature woodland acreage.
For the right buyer, this is far more than a home on acreage. It is a carefully built lifestyle centered around resilience, stewardship, privacy, and connection to the land.
Home Energy Evaluation
Glazing: Dual-Paned Windows
Installed Appliances:
- Heat Pump (Ground-source) was installed in 2024 with seer rating 26.9
Air Sealed: Yes
Energy-Star Appliances: Clothes Dryer, Dishwasher
Tankless Water Heater Installed: No
Home Health Evaluation
Water Purity: yes
Air Purity: no
Radon Test Date: ,
Wall Finishes: No VOC Paint
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