One of largest and oldest homes on north side of Lake Avenue is for sale

4927 Lake Ave. is of one of the oldest and largest homes on the north side of Historic Lake Avenue. The house has 6,705 square feet of living space, 100-plus feet of lake shore and was built in 1882.

I’ve lived just off Lake Ave for 10-plus years, and since I’ve lived here, fewer than 10 homes have come up for sale. A few were torn down and replaced. For the past six months, 4927 Lake Ave. has been on the market. The price is spendy at $2.999 million, but the home boasts some unique features, which will make it a terrific residence for someone.

I was fortunate to speak with owner Veronica Hoffman recently, who lived with her family in the home for 20-plus years. Her favorite things about the home are the front-facing sunroom, the amazing custom woodwork done by husband Jim and her father-in-law Ron Hoffman, the floors with laser-cut inlays in the dining and living rooms, and the beach house across the street on the shore of White Bear Lake.

Blogger Lynn Nelson in sunroom facing the lake. Owner Veronica Hoffman mentioned that her daughter "lived" in the sunroom during Covid, because she was cheered by the sunlight and the walkers passing by while she worked on her schoolwork. Photo of Nelson was taken by Ricka McNaughton.

The living room features the only remaining original wall in the house, as well as the original ceiling beams and a New England style laser-cut flooring.

Original woodwork in the dining room has been lovingly restored by the owner and his father Ron Hoffman, a retired White Bear Lake area industrial arts instructor. And it features an original Dutch door to the sunroom.

Due to lake shore city regulations, only a few homes on Lake Avenue have beach houses like the one across the street from 4927 Lake Ave.

The basement is divided between old and new – the old features a small fireplace circa 1880s and the new features a large, modern entertainment space with a comfortable bar.

For more on the history and features of 4927 Lake Ave., please check out my upcoming story in the May 2025 edition of The Laker.