Sandy Hey felt like she was always driving miles east from Tonka Bay to downtown Minneapolis for a variety of commitments, including her role as producer/director of the now-closed Hey City Theater on Hennepin Avenue. She and her husband, John, loved their gracious home on a Lake Minnetonka bay but were less thrilled about the constant commute, maintenance and yard work.
"We wanted a lifestyle that was more connected to the city," said Sandy, who produced the megahit "Tony n' Tina's Wedding" at Hey City.
Since 2007, their home has been in the Edgewater, a sleek glass and stone building in Uptown, facing the Lake Calhoun pavilion and blue water beyond. Below, at the high-energy urban hub, people nosh on fish tacos at Tin Fish, rent canoes and paddleboards, run, bike and push baby strollers.
That's a sampling of the summertime scenes outside the floor-to-ceiling windows in the Heys' third-floor unit. "For me, the Lake Calhoun view is all about the sailboats," said Sandy. "It's so pretty and relaxing to watch them."
When the couple decided to move from Tonka Bay, they never dreamed they would find a new condo high-rise next to one of the city lakes. But their daughter, back from college, was living in the Edgewater apartment building. "That's how we heard about the new Edgewater going up on the same spot," said Sandy.
The Heys were among the first buyers in the building; "being able to finish our condo the way we wanted was the crème de la crème," she added.
The couple worked with their friend and architect Bruce Knutson to design a floor plan in the 2,427-square-foot unit shaped by an open kitchen, a living room large enough to hold their baby grand piano, and a luxe master suite, all maximizing the Lake Calhoun views.
Their prime corner unit includes two balconies — one off the living room and one off the master bedroom. In the morning, the Heys often sit on their bedroom balcony and sip coffee, and in the evening, they can watch the sunset from the living-room perch. "When the sun is getting close to setting over the lake, it makes the water look purple and orange," said Sandy.
Although the building exterior is modern steel and glass, the interior reflects the Heys' taste for classic traditional decor — as evident in many of their treasured pieces from their previous home. Throughout the condo spaces, the couple infused architectural details, such as painted crown molding and built-in wood cabinets, to warm up the metal accents and glass walls.
In the foyer, the floor is covered with black-and-cream marble checkerboard tile for a "classic European look," said Sandy. "We added the Old World touches because I was afraid an ultramodern feeling would be too cold."
However, the "cook's" kitchen is completely up-to-date with granite countertops, Wolf gas range and French door stainless-steel refrigerator. The countertops are at two different heights — one for sipping wine and one for "grabbing a sandwich," said Sandy.
Along one kitchen wall is a built-in coffee and cocktail bar with walnut-stained alder cabinets, which is the gathering hub when the couple host dinner parties for their theater crowd.
Today Sandy is semiretired, but still teaches drama and is a creative consultant for local theater productions. John is working as a consultant in the copier industry.
After eight years in the Edgewater, the Heys are ready to downsize. Both of their children are getting married next year, and "we'd like different kinds of spaces for possible grandchildren in the future," said Sandy.
However, the Heys aren't ruling out condo living for their next residence.
"We love to have flowerpots on the balconies," she said, "and no yard work."
Babette Bean of Edina Realty has the listing, 952-924-8722.
Lynn Underwood • 612-673-7619
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