Subscribe
J&J's Detached Townhomes of Wahkon - click for additional photos
People are taking notice of the cleanup and development going on just East of Wahkon off Highway 27 toward Mille Lacs Lake.
Thanks to J&J Detached Townhomes of Wahkon, owned by Jeffrey Eye and Kevin Cole, the area is looking up and is poised for success as the 2011 spring real estate season heats up.
The planned 12-unit development will feature townhomes ranging from 900 to 1,150 square feet and include 12 by 26 garages. A dock was just installed, so now there is a completed model townhome, a fish cleaning house and a gazebo overlooking the lake.
"I bought J&J's 11 years ago and it was dead and overgrown and we've done a lot of work to bring it to where it is right now," Eye said, on a break with the dock installation. "We've moved 34 old fish houses out of that area."
Townhome owners will also be able to store golf carts in an association garage on the premises. "I've had people tell me they absolutely love what's going on," Eye said. "It took three years to get everything done to this point, but we're moving forward."
Eye and Cole were caught like many in the area as they started building admist the recession in 2008. Just prior, a bevy of like units sold quickly in Isle, but a glut of "for sale" townhomes at Izaty's and many new vacant ones around the lake stalled sales. Until late last fall.
Meshigun Point Townhomes of Wahkon sold a pair of units in the last month, leaving only one left before owners Chip Frederickson and his Dad, Shooter, break ground for another two-plex. Word is that other lakeshore properties are also starting to move.
High gas prices make Mille Lacs an ideal vacation destination for Twin Cities residents. The short commute, great fishing and emerging family vacation opportunities are paying dividends.
With 75 Feet of lakeshore and dockage for the 12 boats, J&J's Detached Townhomes definitely has a niche. The units range from $139,900 to $159,900. Once sold, the area should thrive, helping local downtown businesses who have also felt a pinch recently.
"We're also planning to plow an ice road in the winter, which is part of the deal," Eye said. "We're calling this an extreme makeover."