June 2022
HAPPY FATHER's DAY: to all of you who are dads, or who have dads. Greetings from cherished summer time in the Rocky Mountains: with the heady fragrance of lilacs, and the cottonwood pollen known as 'summer snow', there are countless ways to spend your time and energy in Aspen and the Roaring Fork valley. How many of you CAME FOR THE WINTER, BUT STAYED FOR THE SUMMER? Happily, the airport is open again, CDOT is progressing with the round-about, and Aspen even offers FREE e-bike rides (see below).
Thanks to all of you who send me feedback on these posts. Please feel free to forward to others who have an interest in this magical place.
AND... If you are coming for a visit, let's connect: I would be happy to share some of my favorite INTEL and insights that you simply *CAN NOT* google.
***For those who may wish to list or to find a luxury home, a vacation rental, or a commercial property, then please contact me: I am here for you 24/7, boots-on-the-ground, with a long list of 5-star reviews. Read my clients' testimonials HERE.
All the BEST for a great summer,
Susan Plummer
Global Luxury Specialist, Presidents Special Elite
(awarded to the top 1-3% world-wide at Coldwell Banker)
Coldwell Banker Mason Morse, Aspen
susanplummer@me.com. 970-948-6786
RESTAURANT updates
Aspen's FOOD & WINE CLASSIC: photo BELOW: this large-format 'MELCHOIR' (pronounced Mel-CURE) holds 18 liters, that is, 24 BOTTLES OF WINE! wow.
**FUN FACT: once upon a time (in 1990), I was the wine steward at Charles Dale's "Renaissance Restaurant". Fast forward to today, and although selling real estate is my passion, I occassionally work with select clients providing consulting services via my design firm, "BESPOKE WINE ROOMS".
FOOD & WINE CLASSIC in Aspen: (photos above courtesy Food & Wine)... the 39th annual. Tickets are sold out again. June 16-18, 2022.
NEW!!! opening this week: Taikun Sushi Aspen. With only 16 seats, and $150 prix fixe for 13 courses. Use RESY to reserve. At the Marble Bar in the Aspen Mt Residences (former Grand Hyatt). Another Ryan Chadwick concept.
STAYING OPEN: probably through the summer: THE PIE SHOP. We love the local-friendly $8 pizza and beer, and for those cringing at the price of Taikun, above, this is the same owner. Landlord Mark Hunt will not be renewing their lease, but instead bringing in a new tenant "in the beverage industry"...
COMING SOON: Raphael Derly (owner of the CREPERIE du Village) is opening a new concept. Stay tuned for more, but he is planning on Thanksgiving "22
COMING SOON: in the L'Hosteria space: PARC.... promising the return of the BAR MENU , maybe the only one? Thunderbowl Architects are creating an updated French farmhouse (think Almresi, but French decor)
BRUNCH IN ASPEN never say never: now Aspen boasts 3 new brunch options ONLY on Saturdays and Sundays at Catch, Chica and PARC.
STAYING OPEN: after closing permanently in April, the quad compound (ERICS BAR, SU CASA, ASPEN BILLIARDS and THE CIGAR BAR) has re-opened thru Sept 30, 2022. ***The private club, GRAVITY HAUS, and public coffee shop will ultimately replace the quad. (stay tuned for more)
STAYING OPEN: LOCAL COFFEE HOUSE is staying the course... the owers nodded to landlord Tony Mazza for being one of the rare landlords in town “helping local businesses stay alive".
UPDATED: ESCOBAR. After 10 years known as the nightclub in a fuselage, and an unsuccesful lawsuit by Pablo Escobar's heirs, they've completed a remodel with a freshly updated 80's vibe.
CLOSED: SUPPER CLUB 7908 has been bought by a Miami group who is rebranding and renovating, but dinner and dancing will remain.
.OPENING SOME DAY: the LIFT 1A CORRIDOR redevelopment has promised 2 restaurants .... on South Aspen St. WHEN? Stay tuned.
BIG TIME: with his own TV show, one of Aspen's favorite wine connoisseurs who helped shaped the Little Nell's fabulous wine program, CARLTON McCOY, is the world's only black Master Sommelier : CNN story Here
CHEAP EATS: 7/1 - 9/31: the city of Aspen has sourced two food trucks offering Mexican fare and ice cream, respectively. Look for them outside of the new city hall across from Rio Grande park.
RECENTLY OPENED: ASPEN COUNTRY by Harper & Hudson, aka THE SHACK next to Big Wrap. $8 Breakfast burritos, burger, coffee, cocktails, outdoor space,
RE-OPENING: Hopefully by the year end, the historic RED ONION will open with new proprietors Craig and Samantha Cordts-Pearce. The storied history of the Red Onion includes a swinging hot spot where Billy Holliday performed, and where John Denver FIRST sang "Country Roads" (internet PHOTO BELOW)
RECENT ASPEN NEWS.... ICYMI (InCaseYouMissedIt)
- ADIEU Bob Braudis: (Photo above in 2006 byJim Paussa) with heavy hearts, we say good bye to our former sheriff Bob Braudis. His presence was all-encompassing and will forever represent a special, albeit byegone era. Editorial by Lo Semple here.
- MEN'S WORLD CUP alpine racing returns to Aspen. Let's not forget our roots: that is, FIS alpine racing started in Aspen in 1939. Find details here.
- AMAN RESORT coming to Aspen at the LIFT 1A development, replacing the entitlements secured by the Gorsuch Haus project. Details here .
- RENTAL MORATORIUM: The city of Aspen plans to poll city voters in July about whether they would support a tax on short-term vacation rentals for 30 days or less. ***NOTE that city permits are NOT required for rental periods greater than 30 days.
- THE NEW BAYER CENTER: In April, the Aspen Institute announced the Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies —a newly constructed exhibition space and center dedicated to the study of art, media, and culture. Story HERE.
- WATER SHORTAGE: For the third year in a row, the city of Aspen will continue to be under stage two water restrictions due to drought conditions in Pitkin County.
- EXPENSIVE real estate: In the last few months Tommy Hilfiger's new Aspen home traded for $50 million after he paid approx. $31m a few months earlier. Rob Walton sold his 2 undeveloped LOTS for $30+ million. Another property sold to buyers for $60m, then the sellers purchased a replacement for $51m. All were off-market...
(I have several off-market properties for sale. EG: a 9 bedroom river-front, gated property in Aspen. Contact me for details. see photo below by STUDIO B architects)
ASPEN REAL ESTATE NEWS
Summer real estate sales are always strongest. And sure enough in 2022, with the unease due to the Ukraine war, interest rates shifting from 2% to 7% in the last year, $6.00+/gallon gas prices, and the stock market flux, we are seeing buyers looking for a safe investment haven.
Of course real estate is an investment you can use and enjoy, not just see on your balance sheet. But ASPEN real estate, in particular, seems to have recession proof DNA, as evidenced by a graph of sales prices over the last 50 years. The reason is that there is only one Aspen. With it's postage-stamp size of only 3.66 square miles, very limited inventory, and buyers who apparently agree with the founder of Gucci who famously said: "Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten" ....
Specifically, Aspen single family homes AVERAGE PRICE PER SQ FOOT is approaching $3,000 per foot. This number is skewed due to outliers in the $50m -$70m price range (see above "ICYMI: Expensive Real Estate"). For owners, your broker can show you detailed and accurate comps relating to your specific neighborhood, and your home's specific amenties. Or I would be happy to help.
***for those *considering* listing a home or rental, I offer a complementary and realistic assessment of your property's value. For those wishing to find a luxury home, a vacation rental, or a commercial property, then I'm your gal. I'm here for you 24/7, an Aspenite for 32 years, with a long list of 5-star reviews from my clients. Email, Call or text me today: susanplummer@me.com, 970-948-6786
OTHER INTEL
One of the most gorgeous hikes EVER is going to Aspen to Crested Butte. Although it takes 5 hours to drive in the winter, it's only 11 miles in the summer. Both towns have much in common: both have a silver mining past, both produce and incubate uber-athletes, and both have been home to 5x Olympic ski racer Casey Puckett who grew up in CB, and happens to be mon amour for 5 years. The hike is not super difficult, but it is long: 6-9 hours including lunch break and a cryo-therapy dip in the lake. JUST BE PREPARED: hiking West Maroon trail.
For other area hikes, check out this guide, here.
(photo from We-cycle)
FREE e-BIKE RIDES
WE-cycle’s Unlimited 30-min rides are available for free at www.we-cycle.org or the TRANSIT app. INCLUDING THE BLUE e-BIKES!! There is no cost to sign up or ride. ***HEADS UP: hefty overtime fees apply for each additional minute for the blue e-bikes $5.00/min (!!!). Non e-bikes in silver are $0.50/min.
"ZERO WASTE": After a bear somehow unlatched our bear-proof trashcan, my daughters suggested we practice 'zero waste'. I realized that Casey's younger daughter had been nudging us to composte for several years. We then gave it a go. Now I wish we started sooner! If you're game, goto the Evergreen site: evergreenzerowaste.com
Thanks for reading! Be well and remember to stop and smell the roses... for example, when hiking, look for the wild strawberry vines.
After losing a loved one during the recent Covid years, I'm determined to spend my time more wisely and stay in better contact with you, my friends and clients. If you are coming to town, then please let me know so I can show you some of my favorite INTEL and insights that you simply *CAN NOT* google.
Very Best,
Susan Plummer
Global Luxury Specialist, Presidents Special Elite Recipient
(Awarded to the top 1-3% world-wide of CB agents)
Coldwell Banker Mason Morse
susanplummer@me.com. 970-948-6786