Secluded fairy-tale castle in Eagan hits market for $2.9M

Back in 1985, in the pre-Delta days when the hometown airline was Northwest, its bachelor CEO Steve Rothmeier built himself a grand Germanic castle in Eagan. His kingdom was a secluded wooded hilltop set on 2.6 acres — just a few miles from the airline's headquarters.

Rothmeier's distinctive house was designed for hosting corporate soirees, with a banquet-sized dining room, a soaring great room with a "minstrel's gallery" for musicians, and space in the garage to park seven cars.

"It's great for entertaining and parties," said agent Peter Sparr of Edina Realty.

Rothmeier died in 2014, not long after selling the home to current owners James Wagley and Deb Newell. The couple bought the nearly 9,000-square-foot party palace, which they updated and transformed into a family home for themselves and their three children. They also put a French spin on the decor, replacing the heavy oak railings on the circular staircase with wrought iron, and swapping the rustic tile floor with white Carrara marble and black granite.

Other features:

• New two-story master suite includes an entry foyer, a sitting room, a spa-like bath with his-and-her vanities, double shower and a huge walk-in closet with its own fireplace.

• Updated black-and-white kitchen with large island and separate breakfast room.

• Oversized oak-paneled home office, also with fireplace, on the main floor.

• Servant's apartment in the attached carriage house. "They could be used for teens, long-term guests or a nanny's quarters," noted Sparr.

• A movie theater room, inside what was formerly Rothmeier's attached Bavarian-style prayer chapel.

The home is now on the market for $2.995 million — which includes all the furniture. "It's very custom to those rooms," said Sparr of the large-scale pieces.

Peter Sparr of Edina Realty has the listing, 651-238-5522.