Our Story

A man and three children sitting on rocks by the ocean, with the girl pointing towards something in the distance.

Boathouse Bay is the result of a family's lifelong connection to Minnesota's North Shore.

For more than 60 years, Julie Anderson has spent her summers along Lake Superior. Julie's father spent his childhood summers in Tofte, and went on to develop Chateau LeVeaux and Gull Harbor, creating places where families could gather, explore, and build lasting traditions. Julie and her siblings spent their days having picnics by the lake, hiking the trails along the Temperance River, and skiing at Lutsen Mountains. These experiences shaped a deep appreciation for the North Shore and the lifestyle it offers.

When Julie met John Anderson, she introduced him to the area. John fell in love with it immediately. They began bringing their own children, Lauren and Erik, to share in the same adventures and traditions that had shaped Julie's childhood.

The North Shore became an important part of the Anderson family's story. As a builder, John envisioned creating a place where others could experience the same connection to family, nature, and Lake Superior that had meant so much to them. He wanted to build something that would bring people together and create opportunities for future generations to make lasting memories.

That vision became Boathouse Bay.

In 2004, they purchased the land in Silver Bay and began thoughtfully planning its future. Both of their children are involved in the project: Erik as a skilled carpenter and Lauren as operations director.

Throughout the process, the Anderson family remained focused on the experience of the people who would spend time here. The villas were designed to encourage connection: to nature, to family and friends, and to the slower pace of life found along the shore.

Boathouse Bay is the continuation of a family legacy that began on the North Shore over 90 years ago, built on a deep respect for the land, an enduring love of the big lake, and a belief that time spent together up north is time well spent.

A man and a boy fishing by the water's edge on a rocky shore.
A family of six on a beach, with water and trees in the background. Two adults and four children, all smiling and enjoying the outdoors.
A family of five standing by a campfire in a forested area with pine trees in the background, some holding drinks, dressed warmly for an outdoor gathering.
A woman and four children sitting on a rocky shoreline by the water, with some children standing and some sitting, looking out at the sea, with a seagull floating on the water.
Group of people with ski poles standing on snow-covered ground in winter, with trees and mountains in the background.