As the largest commercial home builder in Northfield, Dundas-based Johnson-Reiland plans 40 new homes in 2026 but just ten in Northfield. With the most building permits in 2025, Paul Reiland is planning on being the lead builder over time of 60 home lots planned next to the new Gracwin 55+ community planned near the Benedictine Center, northwest of Northfield Hospital.
Locally famous in Dundas, Reiland built out Chuck DeMann’s subdivision on railway Street, opposite Bridgewater Township Hall. As Chuck DeMann told Mainstreet Messenger in 2021, he had a devil of a challenge with city hall that demanded he build “stick-built, affordable house”. Finally he turned to Johnson-Reiland and Paul Reiland who offered to build custom homes that would sell in the current market. Chuck died January 3, 2022 at 96 and a half.
World War II veteran Chuck DeMann began his project on the old family farm after turning 90. After terrible frustration with the mayor, he said that when he found Paul, he knew his prayers were answered, and indeed he paid off all his debts before he died. Paul said he gave the project his all because Chuck deserved to win as a homebuilder. In his 90’s. And he did.
Johnson-Reiland is headquartered diagonally across from Frandsen Bank.
The Bluff View project of twin and four-plex homes near Spring Creek Park sell from the $400’s. Reiland plans a total of forty homes in 2026, with ten at Bluff View and 30 homes inCannon Falls, Elko New Market and Chaska with 3/4 bedroom houses priced around $600.
Contrary to Northfield City suggesting a new water tower and sewer and water lines are needed northwest of the hospital, Paul noted that Gracwin is set to break ground soon, followed by a 60 house development, without new city infrastructure needed. But that represents about a ten-year buildout.
80% of Reiland’s buyers are retirees, usually selling their old home locally in Northfield, to move to places like Gracwin.
St Olaf and Carleton have built many more on-campus student housing in recent years. But as Mayor Erica Zweiful noted, neither St Olaf or Carleton has any incentives to encourage faculty to buy homes in Northfield and spend more time on campus.
Paul’s father, Daniel, now 80, starting as a developer and homebuilder in 1974 in savage and Bloomington. Paul moved from Prior Lake to Northfield, where his five wrestling boys helped Northfield High School to a state championship, whipping Prior Lake.
