Good News At Calistoga Ranch: Sales Volume Greater Than In Past Two Years Combined.

by Susan Kime (RSS feed)
Jan 25th 2011 at 8:01AM

Usually, even in dark economic times when sales volume for many fractional developments have dropped substantially, there are some steady projects that buck the trend. Last week, good news emerged from Calistoga Ranch, a high end Private Residence Club tucked away in a private canyon in Napa Valley, when it was announced that more sales were closed in 2010 than in the past two years combined. "The stats are great!," said Josh Dempsey, Director of Real Estate, " the purchase price is $475K for a 1/10 interest, our sales volume in 2010 was15 sales at $475K each, equaling $7,125,000 sales total. This is a wonderful sign for Calistoga Ranch, and also for the Private Residence Club industry in general."

I have written about Calistoga Ranch in Luxist early last year, and had noted then its unusual qualities of sanctuary. Some qualities are aesthetic, some practical, but all have to do with the sense of peace derived from being there. I traveled there two years ago, at my own expense, because I had written about Calistoga Ranch before, and wanted to experience the wooded environment, the modular architecture, the Wine Cave, and the Spa -- famous for its mud baths, thermal waters, and peace. And indeed, there were attributes about Calistoga Ranch that I have found nowhere else, so it does not seem surprising that the sales improved, as the economy improved. From my writings about luxury trends in Luxist, high end buyers are attracted by unique properties in elite locations, whose land holds value no matter how the economy turns.

Located in a private canyon on 157 acres just outside the town of Calistoga in Napa Valley, Calistoga Ranch encompasses 48 guest lodges and 23 owner lodges offering overnight accommodations, spa services, and the Lakehouse Restaurant on Lake Lommel. It also features an on-site vineyard and mountain wine cave, where owners and guests can share in the process of winemaking and immerse themselves in the wine culture, so prevalent in the area.

Each guest lodge feels like it is its own camp, modular in design, made from clusters of spaces centering around an outdoor living area and fireplace, just like a campsite. In addition, there are many 100 year old Heritage Oak trees integrated into the terraces and porches of the Lodges, as they are built around the trees. The architect, Scott Lee, designed and placed the over 200 living structures -- the residences, lodges, and other buildings, at Calistoga Ranch -- around the trees so as not to disturb the eco-system already in place..

The owner's residences, 2500 square feet each, have an enclosed interior living area, kitchen, and two master bedroom modules. What ties these indoor living spaces together is outdoor living space, with deck, and outdoor fireplace and grill.( see below)

One of the unique viticulture aspects of Calistoga Ranch is the the Vintner Member Program, offering owners access and education with a select group of innovative winemaking families and wineries in the region. In addition, members can take part in more than 100 signature events a year, including culinary demonstrations with award-winning chef Gary Danko and Master Sommelier Andrea Immer Robinson, both Calistoga Ranch owners. Also, owners at Calistoga Ranch are allowed access to miles of hiking trails in the thousand mile preserve surrounding the Ranch, and through a recent partnership with the Elite Alliance, members have exchange access to a collection of top tier properties in significant destinations throughout the world.

Interior Kitchen,Calistoga Ranch

Interior Living Room, Calistoga Ranch

Tags: Calistoga Ranch, Calistoga Ranch Napa Valley, Private residence Clubs, Private residence Clubs Napa Valley, Sales statistics Calistoga Ranch

Filed under: Real Estate Developments, By Design

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jeff Woodruff Jan 25th 2011 4:05PM

Ha! The architect apparently did not know that trees twist and turn as they grow. The trees growing cleverly through the deck and roof will be the ruin of both. It will be a contest between the trees and the buildings to see who kills whom first.