Lake Minnetonka

Clyde Jorgenson

The estate that self-made entrepreneur Clyde Jorgenson now calls home has always been one of the most striking sights on the Lake Minnetonka shore. Built by the Northrup Family (of the Northrup–King Seed Company) in 1894, it used to be called the “White House of Lake Minnetonka” because of its big white pillars, says Jorgenson. The home was in dire condition when Jorgenson purchased it thirteen years ago. “The roof was sagging, and you could push your fingers through the siding,” he says. “The air conditioning and furnaces were shot, snow was blowing under the doors, and squirrels would pretty much come and go.”

After an ambitious renovation lasting several years, it’s more stable and sumptuous than ever. “Every inch of this house had to be torn apart and put back together,” Jorgenson says. In addition to the 16,000-square-foot main house, he transformed an 1884 carriage house into guest quarters (creating a bedroom where a 10,000-gallon water tank once stood) and revamped newer pool and lakeside houses. “The little lake house is only six feet from the water, so you could never build that close to the lake anymore,” he says. “It was full of gas cans and squirrels, but I’ve made it into a little guest house on the water.”

The property now comfortably accommodates Jorgenson and his children and grandchildren when they visit. “Everyone has their own bed when they stay here, so we have plenty of room,” he says.

Jorgenson didn’t just settle for square footage, however. He planned for the best fixtures and finishes. “It looks historical, but everything inside is brand new,” he says. Inspired by the architecture of Venice, he layered rooms with plaster moldings, some purchased from Decorators Supply Corporation in Chicago, others custom-made. Among his favorite features are the archway pillars, mantels, plaster ceiling embellishments, and ten-inch-wide baseboards.

Along the way, Jorgenson added such modern comforts as gas fireplaces and in-floor radiant heating. “Redoing this property has been the pride of my life,” he says. “Considering it had no maintenance for thirty years, it’s rewarding to know it’s now one of the best properties on the lake.”