The Lowdown on New Housing Developments in Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley
It’s no secret almost every real estate record that could be broken was shattered in 2020, the year that the global pandemic had many city dwellers running for the hills—literally as buyers were looking for a safer haven in the mountains and a healthier outdoor lifestyle. As a result, the demand for real estate in the Roaring Fork Valley has far outweighed the supply, which is why smart investors have kept their ear to the grindstone when it comes to learning about the Roaring Fork Valley’s new housing developments in Colorado.
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- Early Phase of Development | Stott’s Mill
This is especially true of the Mid-Valley, where the room to build still exists and the location is ideal for access to Aspen’s resort living and to all the conveniences of Glenwood Springs. While it often takes years for new projects to slice through all the red tape and to receive the ever-coveted approvals to greenlight construction, these three new projects have made the grade. When it comes to finding that property you’ve always dreamed of, we are happy to report these projects are finally breaking ground.
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- New Housing Development | Stott’s Mill
Stott's Mill
Location, Location, Location
Located along the endless expanse of the 40-mile-long Rio Grande Trail, a paved bike path that stretches all the way from Glenwood Springs to Aspen and surrounded by open space, Stott’s Mill is a rare opportunity. This 18-acre historic site borders the Southside neighborhood of Basalt and was originally used for agricultural purposes before it became home to Stott’s Sawmill. With close proximity to Aspen and walking distance to historic downtown Basalt and Willits Town Center, this unique site offers the peace and views of country living and a walk-and-bike lifestyle with true cosmopolitan conveniences.
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- Stott Mill | Site Plan
Something For Everyone
This unique development will offer a combination of single-family homes, duplexes and multi-family rental dwellings. Lot sizes from 3,360 to 9,800 square feet are being offered from $150,000 to $500,000. Plans for amenities like tennis, basketball and pickleball courts and a historic cabin for recreational use along with green space, pond and shaded seating make it ideal for everyone from families with kids to single professionals looking for an outdoor lifestyle combined with modern living.
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- Beginning Stages of Land Development | Stott’s Mill
The Bottom Line
This project was a long time in the making—it was originally approved in 2008—but the timing couldn’t be more perfect. “It’s perfect from sheer lack of inventory,” says Stefan Peirson, Engel & Völkers broker associate who is the lead sales representative for the project. “People don’t like raw land, they want houses—and they want locations closer to Aspen.” //stottsmill.com
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- Early Phase | Thompson Park Neighborhood
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- Aerial Rendering | Thompson Park Neighborhood
Thompson Park
Car, what car?
There’s a reason Carbondale has become one of the most coveted places to live in the Roaring Fork Valley. It’s small historic town charm, chic shops and restaurants, unrivaled scenery (those Mount Sopris views!), its designation as a Creative District, and close proximity to Aspen make it a hot market. Within walking distance to everything Carbondale has to offer, Thompson Park means easy access to shopping, dining and all the fun events in Carbondale, from First Fridays and the Wednesday Farmer’s Market to the town’s long-standing traditions and events (Dandelion Day parade or Mountain Fair, anyone?). That’s not including the close proximity to serious outdoor recreation, from cross country skiing at Spring Gulch in the winter to mountain biking Prince Creek in the summers and hiking the iconic Mushroom Rock all year round.
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- Thompson Park Museum | Photo by Tenley Steinke
A Little History, A lot of Modernity
The original Thompson Home, located on what is now known as Thompson Park, is a much beloved historic property built in the 1880s by Oscar and Hattie Thompson Holland. The home was donated to the Town of Carbondale, preserved on the National Register of Historic Places, and operates as a historic museum to this day. It also provides a meaningful link from the past to the present with this development’s blend of modern design and mountain contemporary.
The expected buildout includes 40 units, including 25 free market townhomes, 7 single family homes and 8 affordable housing units. The townhomes are 3-bedroom, 2.5 bath units just over 1,800 square feet with a 2-car garage and are listed from $630,000 – $900,000. The affordable housing units start at around $306,000 but have already sold out.
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- Thompson Park Development Area Surroundings | Drone Image
The Bottom Line
With low inventory and high demand in downtown Carbondale, these new housing development units are selling fast, but upcoming phases offer promise of more properties coming online soon. //thompsonpark-carbondale.com
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- Tree Farm Development Near Willits | Basalt, CO
The Tree Farm
Live, Work, Stay, and Play
If you thought Whole Foods coming to the valley was a big deal, The Tree Farm new housing developments, located just across Highway 82 from Willits Town Center, has received just as much hype. That’s because this 43-acre, $250 million mixed-use new housing development owned by longtime local and former ski racer, Ace Lane is full-on: situated on Kodiak Lake, it will include a hotel, restaurants, shops, and residences all in one place. An on-site express bus top provides easy access to Aspen’s world class ski resorts and resort living. The energy-efficient, sustainable design is just an added bonus.
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- Rendering | Final Tree Farm Development | Basalt, CO
The Property
There’s a lot to this massive, mixed-use development. The components include a lakeside hotel with onsite amenities including a cluster of restaurants, all with terraces overlooking the lake. Mixed-use residential buildings with condos and apartments will have commercial spaces on the ground floor. An on-site underpass makes walking to Willits Town Center a no-brainer, putting Whole Foods and a wide array of shops and restaurants within easy walking distance.
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- Artistic Drawing | Structures at “The Tree Farm”
Phase one of the new housing developments offers a variety of lot sizes for both residential and mixed use, with plans for 340 residences, 135,000 square feet of commercial development, and 22,000 acres of open space.
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- Progress Photo of Mid-Valley Developments | Photo by Tenley Steinke
The Bottom Line
Large-scale, one-stop-shop new housing developments of this magnitude are a rare find in the Roaring Fork Valley. With so many on site amenities, views, and a prime location across from Willits Town Center, these units will go fast. //the-tree-farm.com
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- Tree Farm Development in Carbondale, CO | Photo by Tenley Steinke
With all of these new housing developments in Colorado, buyers are sure to continue to be making the move to this valley. Stott’s Mill, the Tree Farm and Thompson Park are just a few of the many new developments that the Roaring Fork Valley will develop in the near future. Now is the time to buy property in the valley before it’s too late, but also is a great time for sellers to take advantage of this hot market since inventory is so low.
