City Homes stands apart as one of few women-led custom builders across Minnesota. Since 2009, the Edina-based company has been taking a personalized approach to luxury homebuilding and remodeling, finding that the best results are rooted in strong partnerships, client-focused design and unwavering commitment to quality. The firm’s recent win of Housing First Minnesota’s 2025 Builder of the Year Award underscores the team’s level of craft and marks the first time a women-owned builder has received this honor. We chatted with City Homes’ owner Rebecca Remick to learn more about the firm’s legacy of crafting timeless bespoke residences and pushing the boundaries of what a modern home can look like.
Photography by Rob Grosse/Spacecrafting
What sparked your passion for home design?
I’ve always been drawn to how homes shape the way people live — the quiet routines, the gatherings, the moments you don’t plan for. Design has the power to support those moments or complicate them, and I’ve always been fascinated by that responsibility. For me, homebuilding isn’t about trends or square footage; it’s about creating spaces that feel intuitive, comfortable and deeply personal. I love the challenge of translating how someone wants to live into something tangible.
Can you tell us about your approach to building?
I lead with relationships. Every project starts with listening — really listening — to what matters to our clients, and then building a process around trust, clarity and collaboration. I’m very hands-on and intentionally keep City Homes boutique so every project gets the attention it deserves. Transparency is essential to me, whether that’s in communication, budgeting or decision-making. When people feel informed and supported, the entire experience becomes more enjoyable and the homes are better for it.
What does becoming the first women-owned firm to earn this Builder of the Year award mean to you?
It’s incredibly meaningful on a personal level. Homebuilding has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, especially at the ownership level, and this recognition affirms that there is room — and value — for different leadership styles. I’ve built City Homes by leading with collaboration, empathy and accountability, and this award reinforces that those qualities matter.
More than anything, I hope it helps broaden what leadership in construction looks like. Visibility matters. If this recognition encourages even one woman to see a future for herself in this industry, that’s something worth celebrating.
What sets City Homes apart from other builders?
We care deeply about our clients, our partners and the homes we build. We intentionally take on a limited number of projects so we can stay closely involved, and we’ve built long-standing relationships with trade partners who share our commitment to quality and integrity. Our process is transparent, our communication is consistent and our goal is always the same: to create homes that feel thoughtful, timeless and tailored to the people who live in them.
Your team works on everything from new construction to row homes. Do you have a favorite type of project?
I love projects that challenge the idea of what a home can be. I’m especially drawn to row homes because they solve so many modern challenges in a thoughtful way. By sharing land costs, they make living in highly desirable neighborhoods more attainable without sacrificing design or quality. Going vertical allows us to be creative with space, light and views, and incorporating elevators makes these homes truly livable across generations.
I love that a row home can comfortably serve a young family, a busy professional or an empty nester who wants to age in place. They’re efficient, elegant and intentional, and they reflect how people’s needs change over time. That balance of smart planning paired with beautiful design is what excites me most.
That said, every project has its own rhythm and story, and I enjoy the diversity. Whether it’s a single-family home or a small community, what matters most is creating spaces that feel intentional and livable.
What’s on the horizon for City Homes?
We’re continuing to grow thoughtfully focusing on high-design, high-performance homes and small developments that add real value to their neighborhoods. I’m excited about expanding our row homes, deepening our commitment to sustainable building and continuing to evolve how we support our clients through the process. For me, growth isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing better with purpose and care.
