Address
401 Lake Street E, #200
Wayzata, MN 55391
Buyers are still active. Homes are still selling. But the approach that worked during the faster-paced market years is starting to break down:
If you want a neighborhood that makes daily life feel easier and more enjoyable, 50th & France deserves a closer look. This Edina corner blends walkable convenience, established residential streets, and a lively local business district in a way that feels practical and polished at the same time. Whether you are thinking about moving to Edina or simply trying to understand how this area lives day to day, this guide will help you picture what life around 50th & France really feels like. Let’s dive in.
At its core, 50th & France is a mixed-use district at West 50th Street and France Avenue South on the Edina and Minneapolis border. The district association describes it as a walkable neighborhood center with more than 175 retailers and professional services. That includes boutiques, restaurants, cafes, salons, spas, and the Edina Theatre.
What makes the area notable is that it works as more than a shopping stop. The district is set up for everyday services, dining, events, and casual outings, which gives it a stronger neighborhood feel. You can run errands, meet a friend for coffee, or stay out for dinner and a movie without needing to go far.
One of the biggest draws here is how many daily activities can happen within a compact area. The district combines practical stops with places people genuinely enjoy spending time. That mix helps 50th & France feel active without being purely commercial.
The area also hosts regular programming and community events. One of the best-known examples is the Edina Art Fair, which takes place in the heart of the district and turns the intersection into a walkable festival setting for art, food, music, and browsing. Events like this add to the sense that 50th & France is a place people return to regularly, not just when they have a specific errand.
Walkability is not just a nice feature here. It is a core part of how the district is planned. Edina’s 50th & France Small Area Plan supports active ground-floor uses, better pedestrian connections, and a streetscape that works well for people moving through the district on foot.
The plan also notes that residents and business owners wanted better pedestrian access to, within, and through the area, including sidewalks that are easier to navigate in winter. That matters in Minnesota. A neighborhood that is designed to function beyond the warm-weather months tends to feel more usable and more connected year-round.
If you live nearby, a quick walk can cover more than one part of your routine. You may be able to combine a coffee stop, an appointment, and dinner in one outing. Even if you drive to the district, the layout still supports short, easy walks once you arrive.
A walkable district still needs convenient access, and 50th & France has that built in. According to the district association, there are more than 1,000 free parking stalls across the North Ramp, Center Ramp, South Ramp, and Ewing Lot. That gives visitors and residents added flexibility, especially during busier times.
Transit is another practical advantage. The association says the district is accessible via Metro Transit’s E Line and Route 46, and Metro Transit notes that the E Line runs through Edina on France Avenue and serves the Southdale area. For you, that can mean easier trips within the corridor and better regional access without relying only on a car.
One of the most appealing things about life around 50th & France is the contrast between the commercial center and the surrounding residential blocks. The intersection itself is active, walkable, and service-rich. Just beyond that, the city plan identifies nearby areas such as White Oaks, Country Club, Minnehaha Woods, Golf Terrace Heights, and Arden Park as primarily residential neighborhoods.
That transition helps explain why the area often feels like an urban node wrapped in a more established Edina setting. You get the energy of storefronts and public activity at the core, then quieter streets a short distance away. For many buyers, that balance is a major part of the appeal.
The city’s small area plan describes the broader area as predominantly single-family and mostly owner-occupied, with some townhomes and apartments mixed in. It also notes that much of the housing stock was built before 1939. As a result, the neighborhoods around 50th & France tend to have a mature, established character.
You will also find a mix of housing types near the commercial core. The city’s planning guidance points to low-density multifamily residential on adjacent parcels, which helps bridge the transition from storefronts to nearby homes. In simple terms, the housing mix near 50th & France includes historic single-family streets, some attached housing, and newer mixed-use residential options close to the center.
The nearby Country Club District adds a major piece of the area’s identity. The city describes it as a 14-block planned community platted in 1924 with 555 dwellings, tree-lined streets, and parks. Most homes there were built between 1924 and 1944.
City records also point to historic revival styles such as English Tudor, French Provincial, and American Colonial Revival in the district’s original model homes. Edina’s Century Homes records add even more variety nearby, including Spanish Colonial Revival, Colonial, Craftsman bungalow, and American Four Square homes. If you are drawn to architecture and neighborhood character, this part of Edina offers a clear sense of place.
While the area is known for its established residential fabric, there are newer housing options layered into the district as well. One example is Nolan Mains, which the district association says includes 100 apartments and a 5,000-square-foot plaza. That kind of project shows how the district has added housing while keeping its role as a walkable mixed-use center.
The city’s plan also emphasizes development that respects neighborhood scale, including stepbacks above two stories and a maintained four-story height limit. For you, that means growth here is framed around preserving the relationship between the commercial district and nearby homes.
50th & France can appeal to more than one kind of buyer because it offers more than one way to live. Some people are drawn to the convenience of being close to dining, shops, and services. Others are more interested in the surrounding residential streets and the character of older homes.
This area may be especially worth exploring if you want:
For many buyers, home search decisions come down to rhythm as much as square footage. Can you get through the week easily? Can you enjoy your weekends without always driving across town? Does the area feel active but still residential where you live?
Around 50th & France, the answer for many people is yes. The district’s blend of walkability, events, services, nearby residential streets, and layered housing types creates a lifestyle that feels convenient, connected, and distinctly Edina.
If you are considering a move to Edina and want help comparing neighborhoods, home styles, and lifestyle fit, Holly Connaker can help you navigate the market with local insight and a thoughtful, tailored approach.
Address
401 Lake Street E, #200
Wayzata, MN 55391