
8400 Northern Drive
About this property
Welcome to Winnetka Hills—where quiet, tree-lined streets, walkable parks, and a strong sense of community come together just minutes from the city.
Located in one of Crystal’s most established and desirable neighborhoods, this 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and smart updates that enhance daily living. Whether you're commuting downtown, entertaining friends, or simply enjoying a slower pace at home, 8400 Northern Drive checks all the right boxes.
Step inside to a bright, inviting lower level with a spacious layout that makes the home feel even larger than it is. Soft, plush carpeting adds warmth to the cozy family room—an ideal spot to unwind or host game night. The fourth bedroom on this level is versatile enough to function as a guest room, home office, or fitness area. A refreshed ¾ bathroom adds convenience, and the large laundry room with ample storage connects directly to the tuckunder garage—keeping your vehicles warm in the winter and giving you bonus mudroom potential.
Enjoy seamless indoor-outdoor living with a walkout porch that can serve as a sunroom, workshop, or hobby space. Upstairs, the kitchen is a true highlight: granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a tile backsplash, and two bar areas—one for prepping morning coffee, and the other for casual meals or socializing. A new door off the kitchen leads to a grill-sized deck overlooking a partially fenced backyard, perfect for kids, pets, or those late-summer bonfires under the stars.
The main level offers three generously sized bedrooms, including the primary suite with easy access to a full bathroom. This spa-inspired space features a dual-sink vanity, granite counters, tile flooring, and a beautifully tiled tub/shower surround—providing both style and function.
This home has been thoughtfully upgraded and maintained over the years—see the full list of improvements in the next tab for details on updates, upgrades, and more. The attention to detail means you can move in with confidence and focus on enjoying your new space.
Outside, you’ll find yourself just steps from some of the city’s best green spaces. Hidden Valley Park, Bassett Creek Park, and Yunkers Park are all within walking distance, offering playgrounds, picnic areas, walking paths, and sports fields. Crystal residents benefit from an active local community, year-round events, and proximity to major commuter routes like Hwy 169, Hwy 100, and Hwy 81. Downtown Minneapolis is just under 20 minutes away, while Medicine Lake and its expansive trail system are right around the corner for weekend hiking, biking, or paddleboarding.
If you’ve been waiting for a home that offers updates, space, location, and lifestyle—this is it. Reach out to your agent today and experience the comfort, care, and character of 8400 Northern Drive for yourself.
Property upgrades include:
- AC - replaced in 2019
- Water heater - replaced in 2019
- Stove/range - replaced in 2019
- Lower level bathroom – cosmetically upgraded in 2019
- Furnace - replaced in 2020
- Deck - built in 2021
- Updated light fixtures throughout house (except master bedroom and lower level hallway / laundry room)
- Washer - replaced in 2022
- Dryer - replaced in 2022
- Kitchen faucet - replaced / upgraded in 2022
- Fridge - replaced in 2023
- Garage door spring coils - replaced in 2023
- Kitchen floor - replaced/upgraded in 2023
- Stair railing (long) - replaced in 2023
- Garage door opener - replaced in 2024 (device can be controlled by app and has emergency backup so opener works during power outages)
- Front and back doors replaced 2024
- Interior door handles - replaced in 2024
- Window fixtures (all blinds) - installed 2024/2025
- Upper-level bedroom doors - replaced in 2025
- Front water spigot - replaced 2025
- Stair railing (small) - installed in 2025
- Master bathroom faucets - upgraded in 2025
- Kitchen cabinet hardware - replaced in 2025 (includes slow close hinges)
- Bathroom cabinet hardware - upgraded in 2025
- Previous Homeowners: Siding (2014) & Water heater (2016)
Discover Crystal, Minnesota
A Hidden Gem in the Northwest Metro
Located just 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, Crystal offers a unique blend of suburban comfort, community-driven living, and unbeatable convenience. With quick access to major highways like Hwy 100 and Hwy 81, this city is ideal for commuters and professionals looking to strike the right balance between city access and peaceful neighborhood life.
A Strong Community with Local Pride
Crystal is known for its tight-knit neighborhoods, well-kept parks, and civic engagement. Residents take pride in their homes and community—something that’s immediately visible as you drive through the tree-lined streets. The city invests in public infrastructure, and it's not uncommon to see ongoing improvements to roads, sidewalks, and park spaces. This commitment helps maintain property values and makes Crystal a smart investment for both buyers and sellers.
Parks, Trails & Green Space
With over 240 acres of parkland and 26 public parks, Crystal is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Crystal Cove Aquatic Center, Bassett Creek Park, and the Crystal Community Center offer year-round recreational activities, from summer splash pads to winter skating. The nearby Luce Line and Twin Lakes Trails also provide biking and walking options for those who value an active lifestyle.
Schools & Family Appeal
Families are drawn to Crystal for its access to quality schools in the Robbinsdale Area School District. Several private and charter school options also serve the area, and the community consistently supports school levies and education initiatives, showing a strong commitment to the future of its students.
Real Estate Snapshot
Crystal’s real estate market offers exceptional value compared to nearby Minneapolis suburbs. The housing stock is diverse, ranging from post-war ramblers and mid-century homes to renovated two-stories like the one at 8400 Northern Drive. The city has seen steady appreciation over the past few years, making it a prime area for both first-time buyers and move-up homeowners seeking space, functionality, and long-term value.
Local Lifestyle
Residents enjoy the convenience of nearby shopping, dining, and everyday essentials. Crystal’s central commercial corridor along 36th Avenue and Bass Lake Road features a mix of national retailers and local favorites, while nearby downtown Robbinsdale and northeast Minneapolis offer expanded options for foodies and craft beer fans alike.
Interested in Learning More About Crystal?
Whether you're buying, selling, or exploring your options in Crystal, I’m here to help with clear guidance, market insight, and a relationship-first approach. Let’s talk about what’s possible.
Nicholas Krueger
Phone: 612-719-2718
Website: www.nicholaskrueger.com
Office: 1585 Thomas Center Drive, Suite 108, Eagan, MN 55122
Licensed by: Real Estate Masters, Ltd, 332 E County Road D, Suite 200, Little Canada, MN 55117
Schedule a consultation: Calendly.com/nicholaskrueger
Highly likely to recommend
“Buying or selling a home is a daunting task – unless you have Nick as a realtor! Whether you are ready to jump in, are trying to figure out your timeline for buying or selling, or aren’t even sure where to start, reach out to Nick – you will be glad you did. From beginning to end, working with Nick was phenomenal. From our first meeting, Nick listened to our situation and what we were hoping to achieve and provided framework for how to be successful. We did a home walkthrough where he advised on particular updates, changes, and styles to help stimulate substantial buyer interest. He pulled local information and leveraged his decade+ experience to advise on a competitive price point and selling strategy. He routinely checked in on our progress to ensure we were still tracking towards our goal date, and was ready to adjust, as needed. Nick was thoroughly involved in how the house layout should feel to enhance our professional photos to put our best foot forward for the listing. Leveraging several social media platforms, he ensured our listing was spread widely in advance of our go-live date stimulating substantial interest. Through his tireless efforts and strong collaboration, we were able to list by our target date, get an above list offer on day 1, view and put an offer on our new home, close on both properties in under 30 days AND on the same day! I will be reaching out to Nick for my next realty need – and I highly recommend you do the same 😊. You will be glad you did!”
Highly likely to recommend
“Nick is very a talented person. He helped us so much in finding our new home. We had many ups and downs with the multiple sellers that we attempted to buy from that it was almost comical. He remained professional and encouraging the entire time. He is very knowledgeable about the market in the area. I will definitely be referring him in the future!!!”
Highly likely to recommend
“I had the absolute pleasure of working with Nick to purchase my very first home, and I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From the very beginning, Nick was incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and responsive—always quick to answer my questions and help guide me through unfamiliar territory. As a first-time homebuyer, I had a lot of nerves and uncertainty, but Nick made the entire process feel approachable and even enjoyable. He took the time to really understand what I was looking for, offered honest insights, and never made me feel rushed or pressured. It was clear that he genuinely cared about helping me find the right fit—not just any house. If you want a real estate agent who is trustworthy, hard-working, and truly on your side, I can’t recommend Nick enough!”
Highly likely to recommend
“I've worked with a lot of agents over the years, but none as good as Nick. He made every effort to understand our goals, listened to what was important to us, and was forthright, responsive, and focused in getting us to the finish line. At each speed bump or curve ball he knew just what to do and had clear, logical advice. I recommend Nick and would work with him again given the chance.”
Highly likely to recommend
“As first time home buyers- Nick made the process such a breeze! My boyfriend and I just moved to the twin cities area from Wisconsin. When getting started with the process, we had no idea what we wanted and all of the little intricacies about buying a home. We were both blown away with the amount of knowledge Nick brought to the table while we were navigating this intimidating process and market. I have watched alot of HGTV in my days and “house hunting” shows, and Nick surpassed all of my expectations by a million.😂 Nick was kind, timely, optimistic, and truly cared about us as a people and not just clients. When we would start to get frustrated/worried, he was right there with us to keep our spirits uplifted and ensured us we would find our perfect home, and we did just that. When the time comes that we out grow our home, we will definitely be going with Nick again. We would recommend him to anyone and everyone looking to buy/sell a home. Thank you, Nick!”
Highly likely to recommend
“As first time home buyers- Nick made the process such a breeze! My boyfriend and I just moved to the twin cities area from Wisconsin. When getting started with the process, we had no idea what we wanted and all of the little intricacies about buying a home. We were both blown away with the amount of knowledge Nick brought to the table while we were navigating this intimidating process and market. I have watched alot of HGTV in my days and “house hunting” shows, and Nick surpassed all of my expectations by a million.😂 Nick was kind, timely, optimistic, and truly cared about us as a people and not just clients. When we would start to get frustrated/worried, he was right there with us to keep our spirits uplifted and ensured us we would find our perfect home, and we did just that. When the time comes that we out grow our home, we will definitely be going with Nick again. We would recommend him to anyone and everyone looking to buy/sell a home. Thank you, Nick!”
Lindsey Thurston
View review on Facebook
Highly likely to recommend
“Nick helped us with a cross country move and was remarkably patient and helpful. With not being able to know the Twin Cities area he shared his experience of both neighborhoods that would be good to live in, as well as keeping in mind a home's resale value so we could make the most informed purchase. He respected our request for proximity to work and school being one of our biggest priorities. He went above and beyond in searching for homes and communicating with us. He even stopped by last week (several weeks after we have sold) to check in and see how our family was doing. He is a great real estate agent and we would highly recommend him and his work!”
Highly likely to recommend
“Nick is an amazing person. He was my agent and I couldn't have asked for anyone better. He is very knowledgable, patient, understanding, and kind. Being a first time homebuyer and a single mom, he made the process less stressful. I truly appreciated how he took the time to educate me about what to look for when purchasing a home. He was patient because there were many homes where they just weren't for me, but he still set up the showings. He was understanding and knew my budget. He did not make me feel less worthy or more worthy as his client based off of what my buying power was. Kindness is what the world needs more of and Nick is full of kindness. Nick will be my go-to realtor in the near future!”
Highly likely to recommend
“Overall, working with Nick was a great experience. His professionalism, market knowledge, and dedication made selling our home a smooth and successful process. I would highly recommend Nick to anyone looking to buy or sell a home. He is truly a top notch realtor who goes above and beyond for his clients.”
Highly likely to recommend
“Nick made the whole process really straightforward, which was one of the main things I wanted when buying our first house. I felt like Nick definitely knew the Twin Cities market, and he had some great advice when we started evaluating properties and eventually making offers. Really helpful, knowledgeable and easy to work with. I'd recommend him to my friends.”