Imagine driving through a quiet, heavily wooded neighborhood in West Bloomington, Minnesota, expecting to see typical mid-century ramblers, only to find yourself staring at a structure that resembles a rustic castle topped by a soaring, industrial star-gazing silo.
The legendary Rollerblade inventor Watchtower house is a property that permanently rewrote the rules of eccentric residential architecture in Hennepin County. Located at 10357 Morgan Ave S, this 1967-built multi-level split served as the private creative sanctuary for Scott Olson—the visionary entrepreneur who popularized inline skating across the globe.
Defying the boundaries of standard suburban development, this home combines high-energy sports amenities with a towering, multi-story silo designed to touch the stars. Let’s look inside this iconic piece of athletic and real estate history.
Table of Contents
- The Inventor: Scott Olson’s Inline Skating Revolution
- The Architecture: Inside the Waleswood Park Star-Gazing Silo
- The Sports Sanctuary: The Indoor Half-Court and Fitness Hub
- The Creator’s Crucible: The Lower-Level Workshop
- The Ecological Escape: Raising Trumpeter Swans in Waconia
- The Geography: Nine Mile Creek and Moir Park Proximity
- Real Estate Economics: The $575,000 Bloomington Transaction
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. The Inventor: Scott Olson’s Inline Skating Revolution
To understand the unique design of the Rollerblade inventor Watchtower house, one must first trace the relentless, hyper-active mind of its creator. Born in 1959, Scott Olson was an elite ice hockey goalie who graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1977.
In 1979, while playing semi-pro hockey, Olson stumbled upon a pair of crude, single-row roller skates known as Super Street Skates. Fascinated by the potential to train on dry asphalt during the hot summer months, Olson bought the skates and began tinkering in his parents’ basement.
[The Mechanical Evolution of Scott Olson's Skates]
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Super Street Skates (Pre-1979 Novelty) │
│ • Heavy metal frames, poor ankle support │
│ • Inadequate traction and slow speed bearings │
└─────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────┘
│
▼ Olson's Tinkering
│
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ The Modern Inline Prototype (Basement Build) │
│ • Ripped blade off standard ice hockey boots │
│ • Riveted custom polyurethane wheel frames │
│ • Added dual-ball bearings & molded ankle cuffs│
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Alongside his brother Brennan, Olson revolutionized the sport by riveting inline wheel frames directly to stiff, molded plastic hockey boots, providing the crucial ankle support needed for high-speed summer maneuvers. He founded Rollerblade, Inc., and promoted the product through guerrilla marketing tours across the state.
Although Olson eventually sold his stake in the company early on, his wealth and passion for movement enabled him to develop other physical innovations, including the Rowbike and Skyride technology. Olson’s insatiable drive for physical movement eventually translated directly into the physical layout of his private residences. He sought to design living environments that actively erased the line between work, play, and athletic training.
To explore his early entrepreneurial instincts and see how he explained his creative philosophy, you can view the historical profiles hosted on the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) Scott Olson Feature.
2. The Architecture: Inside the Waleswood Park Star-Gazing Silo
The absolute focal point of the Scott Olson Bloomington house is the stunning, multi-story watchtower silo rising proudly above the mature treeline of the Waleswood Park neighborhood. Built in 1967, the home’s primary structural framing showcases a fascinating era of mid-century experimentalism.
To see how this home’s concrete, wood, and metal layout fits within the state’s broader residential design timeline, explore our comprehensive guide on early building materials and architectural styles in Minnesota.
[Structural Layout of 10357 Morgan Ave S]
The Upper Canopy
┌──────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Star-Gazing Silo Watchtower │
│ (360-Degree Panoramic View) │
│ ▲ │
│ │ Spiral Staircase │
Two Upper ◄┼───────► Living Rooms & Kitchen ◄────┼────► Two Lower
Decks │ (Natural Woodwork / Glass) │ Tuckunder
│ ▲ │ Garages
│ │ │
│ Indoor Sports Court │
│ (Sub-Level Active Hub) │
└─────────────────┬────────────────────┘
▼
0.92-Acre Wooded
Nine Mile Preserve
The watchtower silo was specifically engineered to serve as a private astronomical observatory and a quiet, elevated workspace. Accessible via a winding spiral staircase, the interior of the tower opens up to a spectacular, glass-domed viewing platform.
This platform offers panoramic, 360-degree views of the surrounding Minnesota River valley and the heavily forested Nine Mile Creek preserve. The design of the silo balances industrial metal elements with warm, rustic cedar paneling, reflecting Olson’s dual appreciation for high-tech utility and organic beauty.
It stands as a highly visible monument to his creative philosophy, proving that a home’s vertical space can be utilized to foster quiet contemplation and artistic inspiration.
3. The Sports Sanctuary: The Indoor Half-Court and Fitness Hub
For an inventor who famously declared that “movement is the key,” it is only natural that the Rollerblade inventor Watchtower house features high-end athletic amenities built directly into its living quarters. The home features approximately $3,793$ finished square feet of living space, but its most shocking interior feature is a private, indoor half-court sports arena.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ The Famous Athletic Amenities of 10357 Morgan │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • An indoor sports court designed for basketball │
│ • Four massive wood-burning and gas stone fireplaces │
│ • Dual fully finished kitchens on separate levels │
│ • Two expansive cedar decks overlooking the backyard │
│ • A lower walkout level leading to Nine Mile Creek │
│ • Vaulted wood ceilings with exposed timber beams │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The sports court was custom-built with high-impact flooring and protective wall padding, allowing Olson and his guests to shoot hoops, test fitness prototypes, and play floor hockey during the freezing winter months. This active hub is positioned adjacent to the lower-level family room, creating a seamless flow between high-intensity training and quiet, fireside relaxation.
This layout allowed Olson to host professional athletes, local hockey teams, and physical trainers, turning his private residence into a vibrant social and fitness center.
To view the official listing photos, virtual 3D walkthroughs, and detailed interior room dimensions, explore the comprehensive Zillow Listing Profile for 10357 Morgan Ave S.
4. The Creator’s Crucible: The Lower-Level Workshop
Directly beneath the residential wings sits the true creative engine of the estate: a sprawling, industrial-grade basement workshop. This space was custom-engineered to handle heavy machinery, raw metal welding, and chemical polyurethane molding.
It was in this private laboratory that Olson continued to tinker with physical propulsion systems long after his departure from Rollerblade, Inc.
The workshop features specialized ventilation hoods, 200-plus amp electrical circuits, concrete flooring, and deep storage bays designed to hold large-scale physical prototypes. Within these concrete walls, Olson prototyped the Rowbike—a unique fitness machine that combines the pulling motion of a rowing machine with the mobility of a bicycle—and early track designs for Skyride Technology.
For Olson, having a professional workshop within his home was not a luxury; it was a fundamental necessity. This design choice highlights a growing trend among modern entrepreneurs who choose to integrate industrial workspaces into their residential properties, allowing them to capture creative inspiration the moment it strikes.
5. The Ecological Escape: Raising Trumpeter Swans in Waconia
While the Bloomington watchtower house remains his most famous suburban architectural landmark, Scott Olson’s passion for design and natural harmony eventually led him to expand his holdings westward.
Olson relocated his primary creative headquarters to a spectacular 40-acre agricultural estate on the western edge of the Twin Cities, situated in rural Waconia, Minnesota.
[The Multi-Property Creative Framework of Scott Olson]
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Waleswood Park Estate (Bloomington, MN) │
│ • Heavy suburban split-level built in 1967 │
│ • Focus: Vertical stargazing, indoor sports │
└───────────────────┬────────────────────────────┘
│
▼ Expanded Focus
│
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ The Waconia Farmstead (Waconia, MN) │
│ • 40-acre estate with a renovated 1930s barn │
│ • Focus: Skyride HQ and Trumpeter Swan refuge │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The Waconia farmstead features a masterfully restored 1930s post-and-beam timber barn that serves as the global headquarters for Skyride Technology. On this sprawling acreage, Olson established a private, state-licensed ecological sanctuary dedicated to breeding and raising endangered trumpeter swans.
Working alongside local conservation biologists, Olson custom-engineered the farm’s natural wetlands and spring-fed ponds to provide a safe, predator-free nesting ground for these majestic birds. This ecological initiative demonstrates Olson’s profound commitment to preserving Minnesota’s natural heritage, showing that modern innovators can use their resources to protect the environment.
6. The Geography: Nine Mile Creek and Moir Park Proximity
The geographical footprint of 10357 Morgan Ave S offers an unmatched blend of secluded wilderness and urban convenience. The property sits on a premier 0.92-acre lot that borders the protected Nine Mile Creek preserve.
This private, heavily wooded location ensures that the home’s back decks are completely masked from neighboring properties.
The backyard features a private walking trail that connects directly to the upper loop of the Nine Mile Creek trail system, offering immediate access to pristine hiking paths, scenic boardwalks, and local wildlife viewing. Directly across the street is the historic Moir Park, a beloved municipal hub featuring expansive playgrounds, disc golf courses, and quiet picnic areas.
This premier location places the estate just minutes from major transit corridors like Interstate 35W and Highway 100. This geographic balance establishes the property as a premier destination for buyers seeking ultimate natural privacy without sacrificing quick access to the cultural, retail, and medical amenities of the Twin Cities metro.
7. Real Estate Economics: The $575,000 Bloomington Transaction
The market history of the Rollerblade inventor Watchtower house represents a landmark case study in valuation for unique Minnesota homes.
Originally listed in late 2024 for $599,000, the property captured national attention on social media platforms like Zillow Gone Wild, drawing thousands of curious buyers and architecture enthusiasts to the open houses.$$P_{\text{sqft}} = \frac{\text{Sale Price}}{\text{Finished Square Footage}} = \frac{\$575,000}{3,793 \text{ sq. ft.}} \approx \$151.59 \text{ per sq. ft.}$$
In April 2025, the home officially sold for $575,000 through David J. Chase of Chasing Dreams Real Estate. With a finished square footage of $3,793$, the buyer secured an exceptionally competitive price per square foot of just over $151$, representing a fantastic investment opportunity in the West Bloomington market.
To see how this transaction reflects broader property trends and municipal valuations across Hennepin County, check out our comprehensive guide to Minnesota real estate market trends 2026: The Definitive Guide.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ The Economic Profile of the Bloomington Sale │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Initial MLS Listing Price (Oct 2024): $599,000 │
│ • Finalized Cash Sale Price (April 2025): $575,000 │
│ • Annual Property Tax Levy (Hennepin County): $9,298 │
│ • Assessed Fair Market Valuation (2025): $556,700 │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
While the home required some aesthetic TLC and modernization, its solid bones, historic athletic connection, and irreplaceable stargazing watchtower silo made it an incredibly high-value asset.
If you are planning to purchase an unconventional property of your own or are starting your own search journey, utilize our step-by-step guide to buying a home in Minnesota to successfully navigate the mortgage and inspection processes.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who invented Rollerblades, and did they live in Bloomington?
Yes. Scott Olson developed and popularized the first modern inline skates under the brand name Rollerblade in the early 1980s. During his career, he owned and renovated the iconic watchtower silo house located at 10357 Morgan Ave S in Bloomington, Minnesota.
What is the watchtower on the Bloomington house used for?
The watchtower is a converted, multi-story industrial silo equipped with a winding interior spiral staircase. It was custom-built to serve as a private stargazing observatory and an elevated home office, offering panoramic, 360-degree views of the Nine Mile Creek preserve.
Where can I read more about the Bloomington house sale?
The home’s viral real estate listing, interior photos, and neighborhood school rankings were covered extensively by local media outlets. You can read the original news features on the KARE 11 News Bloomington Feature.