Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/513510
photography by c2 photography "What brought you here?" For a dozen of Aspen's top realtors, architects, designers, shop owners, builders, and tech gurus—all of whom have lived in Aspen and its surrounds for more than 15 years—the reasons cited then are the same cited today, and they continue to entice new residents and visitors alike: Alpenglow. Laps down Little Nell. Mountain biking. Golden aspens. Family. Other questions, posed during a discussion over lunch (alongside ahi spring rolls, mini duck BLTs, and pot de crème) at BB's Kitchen (525 E. Cooper Ave., 970-429-8284; bbskitchen.com), found a consensus of opinion on a variety of topics, the foremost being the status of the local real estate market and where things appear to be heading. "The worse the world gets, the better Aspen looks," quips Charles Cunniffe, principal of his namesake architecture firm. "A recent article in The Wall Street Journal shows that, for the very wealthy, New York and Aspen are the top two [places] people want to live. It bodes well." "People are feeling good," adds realtor Erik Berg, of Portfolio Aspen Properties. "The stock market is at an all-time high, and Aspen is a proven commodity. The [national] economy will fuel Aspen for this year and spill over into 2016." A conversation ensues about international buyers inf luenced by the current strength of the US dollar. "We're looking at buyers from South America, Australia, and there's no question that we're seeing a change in buyers based on mone- tary exchange," notes Carrie Wells, a realtor with Coldwell Banker Mason Morse. "But with the dollar so strong, we'll continue to see a strong trend of domestic buyers [as well]." But can our current inventory, some of which is showing its age, support the demand? Wells puts the burden on local architects and builders to "figure out what to do" with older condos. In response, Berg sends kudos to John Rowland whose Rowland+Broughton firm recently com- pleted a total renovation of the historic Der Berghof condominium complex in town. Lorrie Winnerman, of Lorrie B. Aspen Asso- ciates, warns against the trend of turning West End Victorians into cookie-cutter structures that "all look similar"—something that "will change the [neighborhood's historic] look." Everyone agrees that, be the solution new construction, renovation, or to tear down and rebuild, the emphasis needs to be on quality. "New is not good enough," declares custom home builder Bob Bowden, who also owns the new Aspen Design Room. "People will pay a premium for 'great.'" The vibe in the room changes on the mention of a younger generation of buyers inf luencing the size and function of homes. "There's no question that a lot of our clients are younger families," says Doug Leibinger of Sotheby's International Realty. "They are the driving force behind the quality of life, excellent schools." Builder Marty Schlumberger, who's been on the job in Aspen for more than 50 years, comments on the younger dynamic: "I call it the 'triathlon group.' We find that the younger generation requires larger homes [to accommodate] larger families. We see the need for swimming pools, workout gyms, and indoor and outdoor living spaces." John Rowland has a different take. "Half of our work is hotels and restaurants, in addition to cus- tom residences," he says. "What we are seeing Homes on the Range From home automation to what a vigorous stock market means For local residents, town's top experts discuss the latest trends in aspen real estate. by linda hayes Furnisher Becky Dumeresque, realtors Steven Shane, Doug Leibinger, and Lorrie Winnerman, and architect Charles Cunniffe in a corner banquette at BB's Kitchen. above: Realtors Erik Berg and Chris Flynn listen to realtor and Aspen Design Room owner Bob Bowden. right: BB's chef Matt Zubrod shaves pink salt over flat-iron steak served with potatoes and artichokes. ConTinuEd on pAgE 164 HAUTE PROPERTY Brokers' Roundtable 162 aspenpeak-magazine.com