.svg)
Make your large acreage home your own with a custom design.
When you tell people you're building a custom home on acreage, the first question is usually: "What are you going to do with all that space?" If you're looking at lots like those at Cardinal Pass in Prior Lake—ranging from 2.5 to 4.33 acres—the real question isn't what you can do, but rather which dreams you'll prioritize first.
The truth is, 2.5 to 4 acres provides an extraordinary canvas for luxury living. It's enough space for all the amenities you've imagined but couldn't fit on a traditional lot, yet it's manageable enough to maintain and enjoy. Let's explore how thoughtful homeowners are designing custom acreage properties that transform everyday living into resort-style luxury.
One of the most popular amenities in luxury acreage homes is the dedicated home gym—and we're not talking about a treadmill in the corner of the basement. On 2.5+ acres, you have the freedom to create a fitness center that rivals any commercial gym, customized entirely to your workout preferences and schedule.
Space Planning for Serious Training
A proper home gym on an acreage property typically occupies 500-1,500 square feet, depending on your fitness goals. This space allows for distinct zones:
Location Considerations
Many acreage homeowners position their gyms to take advantage of natural light and views. Imagine doing your morning workout while looking out over your property rather than staring at a gym's wall-mounted TV showing morning news.
Popular locations for home gyms include:
Premium Features Worth Considering
When you're designing custom, consider these upgraded features:
Closely related to the home gym trend is the integration of saunas into luxury acreage homes. What was once considered an exotic amenity is becoming standard in custom homes designed around wellness and recovery.
Traditional Finnish Saunas
These classic saunas use wood-burning or electric heaters to create dry heat (typically 150-195°F with 10-20% humidity). They're perfect for deep sweating and the traditional sauna experience.
Infrared Saunas
Operating at lower temperatures (120-140°F), infrared saunas use infrared panels to heat your body directly rather than heating the air. Many users find them more comfortable for longer sessions and easier to integrate into home designs.
Combination Steam Rooms
Some homeowners opt for steam rooms (with near 100% humidity) or combination units that can function as both sauna and steam room.
Saunas work beautifully in several locations:
Important Considerations:
If you're a car enthusiast, hobbyist, or someone who simply appreciates proper storage and workspace, the garage possibilities on acreage are transformative. Cardinal Pass lots provide space for garages that go far beyond basic vehicle storage.
On acreage, you're not limited to whatever the city allows in standard neighborhoods. Popular garage configurations include:
The Car Collector's Garage
The Hobbyist's Workshop
The RV and Toy Storage
Modern luxury garages often include:
Nothing says luxury acreage living quite like a custom pool designed specifically for your family's lifestyle. On 2.5-4 acres, you're not squeezed into a tiny backyard—you can design a true resort experience with room for the pool, pool house, and extensive outdoor living areas.
Size and Shape Freedom
Traditional lots force pool designs into whatever space is left after the home and required setbacks. On acreage, you design the pool you actually want:
The Pool House Addition
One of acreage's greatest advantages is space for a proper pool house. This isn't just a shed—it's a fully functional space that makes pool ownership far more enjoyable:
Modern luxury pools incorporate features that transform them from simple swimming holes into entertainment centerpieces:
Water Features
Entertainment Elements
Practical Luxuries
With space for a pool often comes space for an outdoor kitchen that makes summer entertaining effortless. Acreage properties allow for outdoor cooking setups that rival indoor kitchens in functionality.
The Cooking Zone
Prep and Service Areas
Entertainment Features
On acreage, you can design outdoor kitchens that function almost year-round with proper covering:
Another luxury that acreage makes possible is the private sport court. Whether you're passionate about basketball, tennis, pickleball, or multi-sport activities, Cardinal Pass lots provide space for full-sized courts.
Basketball Courts
Full-sized basketball courts require approximately 50x94 feet, but half courts (47x50 feet) are more common for residential properties and still provide excellent playing space.
Tennis Courts
Tennis courts need 60x120 feet for the playing surface, plus run-off space. They can be surfaced in hard court, clay, or cushioned materials depending on preference and budget.
Pickleball Courts
The fastest-growing sport in America requires only 20x44 feet for the court, making it easy to fit on acreage lots. Many homeowners install multiple pickleball courts or combination courts that work for both pickleball and other activities.
Multi-Sport Courts
Versatile courts can be lined for multiple sports—basketball, volleyball, tennis, and pickleball all on the same surface. This flexibility is especially valuable for families with varied interests.
With 2.5-4 acres, your landscaping can include multiple distinct zones, each serving different purposes and creating varied experiences across your property.
The area immediately surrounding your home and along your driveway sets the tone for your entire property. Formal landscaping here includes:
Beyond the formal zones, many acreage homeowners create naturalized areas that require less maintenance and provide wildlife habitat:
Even on acreage with good separation from neighbors, strategic privacy screening enhances the sense of sanctuary:
Your acreage can include landscape features specifically for enjoyment:
With so many possibilities, the key to a successful custom acreage home is thoughtful master planning that considers both immediate needs and future additions.
Not every amenity needs to be included in your initial build. Many homeowners prioritize:
Phase One (with home construction):
Phase Two (1-3 years after move-in):
Phase Three (ongoing):
Designing and building a luxury custom home with multiple amenities on acreage requires a coordinated team:
Architect or Designer
Essential for creating cohesive designs that integrate home and outdoor spaces while maximizing lot characteristics.
Custom Home Builder
Choose builders experienced with luxury acreage properties who understand the complexity of multi-phase projects.
Landscape Architect
Professional landscape design ensures proper grading, drainage, and creates beautiful functional outdoor spaces.
Pool Designer/Builder
Pools are specialized enough to warrant dedicated professionals who understand all the complexities.
Arc Properties has relationships with experienced professionals across all these disciplines, built over 35+ years of land development in the South Metro. When you purchase a lot at Cardinal Pass, we can connect you with the right team to bring your vision to life. Cardinal Pass features a building partnership with Homes by Moderno, a luxury custom home builder specializing in creating stunning acreage homes with all the premium amenities you desire.
Understanding the full cost of your acreage dream helps you plan appropriately:
Lot Cost
Your Cardinal Pass lot purchase is the foundation investment.
Home Construction
Luxury custom homes on acreage typically cost $300-500+ per square foot depending on finishes and complexity.
Site Work
Grading, utilities, and driveway installation can add $50,000-150,000+ depending on lot conditions.
Amenity Costs (approximate ranges):
Working with experienced professionals from the start helps you budget appropriately and prioritize spending where it matters most to your family.
Cardinal Pass's 2.5 to 4.33-acre lots provide the perfect canvas for creating your ultimate luxury lifestyle. Whether you're envisioning morning workouts in your personal gym followed by a sauna session, summer afternoons by the pool while dinner cooks in your outdoor kitchen, or evening basketball games on your private court, Cardinal Pass makes it possible.
The key is thoughtful planning that considers:
With only 12 lots available at Cardinal Pass, now is the time to begin planning your custom acreage dream.
Contact Arc Properties Today
Arc Properties has been developing quality home sites in the South Metro for more than 35 years. We understand what makes acreage properties successful, and we can guide you through every step of the process—from selecting your perfect Cardinal Pass lot through connecting you with the right building professionals.
Let our expertise become your experience.
Website: propertiesbyarc.com/developments/cardinal-pass
Builder Partner: Homes by Moderno
Explore More Acreage Opportunities:
Arc Properties LLC - Your trusted partner for luxury acreage lots in Prior Lake and throughout the South Metro Minnesota area.
