Free-spending Russian billion Roman Abramovich is at it again. Just a week after we learned that he is working on a home that will be the most expensive private residence in Britain, we learn he's also picked up an Aspen home. This isn't just any Aspen home, this is Wildcat Ridge, the modern home of Leon Hirsch. We've been following Hirsch's struggle to sell this home since February of 2005. Back then Hirsch listed his home for $35 million. Since then he's switched real estate brokers a couple of times and has even put it up for actuion a couple of times with no luck. Another man might have dropped his price looking for a sale but Hirsch's stubbornness seems to have paid off, he sold to Abramovich for $36.375 million.
Abramovich is getting quite a home. Wildcat Ridge has 11 bedrooms is perched at an elevation of 9,200 feet on Wildcat Ridge offering views for miles. The home, designed by Voorsanger Architects, has a dramatic folded plate roof and a large moss rock wall dividing the east and west wings of the building. The home gets its energy from 60 geothermal wells so that it is virtually self sufficient. The wells heat the home, driveway and pool during the winter months and provide cooling in the summer. It also comes with 32 pieces of furniture custom designed for the home.
The Neighborhood Scout chooses Breckridge, Colorado as a cheaper way to live the skiing life than Aspen, Colorado. In Apsen, the median house price is $1.6 million but in Breckenridge the median is just $618,892. Breckenridge is a ski resort that is rapidly growing in popularity and amenities. We recently covered One Ski Place, the large condo complex planned for the area.
In Aspen we looked at a huge property that is listed at $58 million. Today's home is far more modest but has a lot to offer for the snow aficionado. This home is located in the Timber Trail ski in, ski out community. From this house you can ski straight to the Colorado or Rocky Mountain quad chairs. The home has seven bedrooms including three master suites and seperate kid's quarters with boys and girls bunk rooms, bathrooms and their own den. There is also an in-home cinema and the great room has massive full round log beams. Apres ski relaxing includes a spa room and a hot tub by the outside fireplace. This is the most expensive home currently on the market in Breckenridge and it is listed at $5.895 million.
For the next couple of weeks we will be checking out some homes in the most expensive zip codes in the United States, up today, 81611 . This zip code encompasses the perennially fashionable ski town of Aspen, Colorado and has a median price of $1,630,000 with an appreciation rate of 184% since 1990. This scenic town caters to the some of the wealthiest snowbunnies in the world. It was in the real estate spotlight in 2006 when a Saudi prince put his home on the market for $135 million (he sold off smaller homes and later pulled his Hala Ranch off the market).
Today's home is listed at less than half of that estate and is still one of the most expensive in the nation. Elk Song Ranch is 67 acres of property that offers the ultimate in a quiet mountain getaway.The property includes a large pond and trails for horseback riding, snowmobiles and cross-country skiing. The home itself is 20,000 square feet with seven bedrooms, a large grat room with sunken bar, gourmet kitchen, formal dining room, exercise room, game room and a master suite that includes his and hers bathrooms, an office and outdoor space with a hot tub. The outdoor patios are large enough to host a wedding and as you might imagine, the views are tremendous. This home is listed at $$58 million.
Gallery: Most Expensive Zip Codes, 81611, Aspen, CO
One of the priciest homes for sale in the United States has been taken off the market. Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan has decided to keep the Hala Ranch near Aspen, Colorado, after finding no suitable offers for the home which was for sale for $135 million. The 56,000-square-foot mansion has been up for sale since 2006.
The Aspen Daily News reports that the news is good news to the many locals in the area who benefit when the Prince and his large entourage are in town. The Prince is said to be a generous tipper who has also employed many locals. He has also contributed toward non-proftis in the area.
The cream of the crop is officially all in one spot as the Robb Report, a global luxury source, recently released their limited edition series of rare items and unforgettable trips. From timepieces to cars, jewelry to wine, and trips to Aspen or Manhattan this list has something special for everyone and is bound to trip your trigger for must-haves. Imagine surprising someone with one of these unique gifts for the holidays! But don't wait too long -- the items went live for purchase a few days ago. Peruse the gallery and see for yourself the amazing offerings from Robb Report listed below:
Louis XIII de Rémy Martin's Robb Report Limited Edition Century-Old Barrel of Cognac: $2 million
ECOSSE Moto Works' Robb Report Limited Edition Titanium Series Motorcycle and Timepiece: $275,000
Steinway Lyngdorf's Robb Report Limited Edition Steinway & Sons Custom Model D Music System: $250,000
You probably aren't thinking about skiing right now but if you are dreaming of winter in Aspen prepare to spend more than ever. It has been announced that a one-day, walk-up lift ticket to Aspen during peak ski season will cost you $87 which is up $5 from last year. The new price gives Aspen the dubious honor of being the priciest lift ticket for now. Vail had the top spot last year at $85.
From now until September 7, Aspen Snowmass is offering season passes at their "super early' rate. A premier pass which offers unlimited skiing/riding on four mountains as well as discounts in the pro shop costs $1,699 now but will sells for $1,999 in November.
Sir Anthony Hopkins has joined the ranks of celebrities who paint (a group that includes Tony Bennett, Jane Seymour and Sylvester Stallone among others). Dreamscapes, an exhibition of paintings by Hopkins is currently on display at theMW Gallery in Aspen, Colorado through July 10. In an article on Artnet, dealer Robert Casterline says the works include abstract landscapes and surrealistic faces. The star began painting a few years ago and according to icWales, he would rather be painting than acting at this point because there are no more challenges for him in the acting world. The paintings are priced at $4,000-$20,000.
If the Hala Ranch is just a big out of your price range, you might want to consider The Ponds, another estate in the Aspen area. The Ponds was designed by architect Bill Poss in the early 1990s and has over 11,000 square feet of space. The home sits on a two acre site with aspen groves, a stream that flows into waterfalls and a series of private ponds. The style of the home is unashamedly lavish with log columns and stonework giving a brief nod to the fact that this is a western home. The home has five bedrooms plus a staff bedroom, a media room, workout area, outdoor pool and Jacuzzi. It is listed at $27.5 million. After the jump, arches, arches everywhere.
Someone's going to have to explain this one to me because I'm not quite certain why this Aspen condo is so expensive. I'll admit that it does have a certain appeal being located in the center of town and the quaint Hyman Avenue Mall. The three-bedroom condo is around 4,000 square feet and offers lots of exposed brick and large windows. The unit has hot tubs on each side of the unit and the top floor can be locked off for use as a rental or guest area. The home also has a rooftop deck, separate office area, and an open living and kitchen area. Still, for $9,900,000 it seems like you could do buy yourself a ski house or a condo in a co-tel arrangement with more amenities. After the jump, check out the design and tell me if you think it is worth the price.
This French Country chateau in Aspen, Colorado is located less than 1 flat mile from the gondola. The lavish home was built in 2000 and has 1.3 acres that includes 5 ponds & 3 waterfalls. The home includes such over-the-top details as an English Gentleman's pub, theater, wine room, library, recreation room and an exercise room. The details in this home include rooms heavy with reclaimed timber beams, marble fireplaces (gas, of course because who wants to get their hands dirty building an actual fire), and a huge saltwater aquarium with tropical fish.The home includes a 1500 sq ft heated patio and deck with a Jacuzzi and firepit. This home is listed at $18.5 million. After the jump, be sure to check out the lion next to the fireplace in the great room.
This beautiful house in Aspen Colorado offers not just mountain views and easy access to the slopes but it is also on the golf course of the Maroon Creek Club offering you something to do after the snow has melted. The five-bedroom home was built in 2000 and has a stone and cedar exterior. There are three levels and grounds include a hot tub and a fire pit. The home has over 8700 square feet of space. Similar homes in the area are used as luxury rentals renting for several thousand dollars a night. It is listed at $10.95 million. After the jump, let's hope not all the fireplaces are painted on.
As I mentioned when covering Pitkin Green a few months back, contemporary homes in Aspen are outnumbered by those that embrace the rustic look. This four-bedroom home sits on the top of Red Mountain and every room has a view of Aspen and the surrounding mountains from Mt. Sopris to Independence. The exterior of the home is built with Kansas limestone and stucco and the home has large windows that make the most of the light. The interior of the home is elegantly designed with sleek skylights, curving staircases and an open floor plan that includes a two-sided gas fireplace shared between the living and dining room. The master bedroom, kitchen, living room, dining room and media area are all on one level with the other bedrooms on the ground floor. The master bedroom also leads to a patio with the hot tub, waterfall and pond. The home has a dumbwaiter to transfer groceries to the ktichen. Other features include radiant heat, a water softening system, central reverse osmosis system to all drinking and ice-making taps, motorized skylights and shades and snow melted decks and walkways. The home is listed at $11.9 million. The virtual tour gives a sense of the truly magnificent views. After the jump, stone in love.
Wow, real estate is popping in Colorado this week. First we had the announcement of Prince Bindar's record-setting $135 million listing in Aspen and now the Apsen Daily News reports that the ninth most expensive home in the West , the Crystal Island Ranch in Carbondale has sold for $47 million. The ranch was the largest residential sale in the area beating the record set earlier this year by Peter Guber when he sold Mandalay Ranch for $46 million. For open land, the record recently went to the Bar/X Ranch near Burlingame outside of Aspen which sold for $48.5 million. Crystal Island Ranch is 1,705 acres with a 12,000-square-foot home, a barn with a guest house, two cabins and more.
In Colorado, tastes tend to run toward the posh rustic look so when a contemporary home is spotted, it's bound to attract attention. This beauty in Aspen is has a modern look with plenty of glass to make the most of the views. The open floor plan and white walls give the home a very grand and spacious look and showcase the art currently in the home. Details include an entertainment room with a large open office, an exercise room including a private massage space, heated decks and a master bedroom with a whirlpool tub under glass windows for a bath with a view. The five bedroom home has 6,772 square feet of space. It is listed at $7.995 million. Check out the virtual tour (with the sound down, the music is awful) or take a peek at a few interior shots after the jump.
This sprawling estate in Aspen offers plenty of wooded privacy on 10 acres (the listing pictures even include frolicking deer). The five-bedroom home has 14171 square of space and boasts some of the most interesting interior treatments we have seen lately. The home has separate caretaker's quarters, a hot tub and a security system. The home has a very distinctive style that includes a coffered ceiling in the dining room and a stunning fireplace in the cathedral-ceilinged living room. it is listed at $25 million. After the jump, deer and daring design.
