The Guide: Park City, Utah

Kim Fredericks

01/01/2007

Soldiers pulled the first chunk of silver from the mountains of Park City in 1868, launching a mining boom that created many millionaires. When the silver industry went bust, a new crop of entrepreneurs saw their fortunes in Park City’s white gold—featherlight and plentiful, Utah’s powder draws millions of skiers annually to Park City’s trio of ski resorts: the Canyons, Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley.

In 2002, Park City turned another corner in its history by hosting several events of the Winter Olympics. In anticipation of the Games, millions were spent on spiffing up the town, encouraging new business and development. Still basking in the afterglow of a successful event, luminous Park City continues to draw record-breaking numbers of visitors. Its active real estate market, both slopeside and greenside within one of the many new private golf communities that have sprung up beneath the mountains of snow, indicates that Park City has transformed from a ski town to a year-round destination.

Realtors
Just five miles separate Park City’s three ski areas, yet the resorts vary dramatically in style and vibe. The Canyons resort (www.thecanyons.com) boasts a modern image with a crop of new development at its base, plus the Colony (www.thecolonywpc.com), a collection of large properties nestled in the woods just off the ski trails. Park City Mountain Resort (www.pcmr.com) delivers serious terrain and a central location that lets skiers catch a lift into downtown. Cushy Deer Valley (www.deervalley.com) exudes luxe appeal with refined dining and an atmosphere that caters exclusively to the skiing set; no snowboards allowed.

The 17,000-square-foot Deerfield Estate, on 3.41 acres in Deer Valley, co-listed by Jon Olch for almost $26 million. (Click image to enlarge)

Carol Agle (435.647.8085, www.pcmls.com/carolagle) specializes in resales, claiming that the best buys in Park City are in homes that are not new. "Buyers are looking for the family gathering spot," says Agle. "We sell the fantasy that they will be getting together in this spot with their family for years to come." Her hot listing is a 5,500-square-foot, four-story home in downtown Park City ($5.8 million).

Steve Chin (800.553.4666, www.deervalleyrealestate.com). "There’s been a slowdown in the past 12 months," says Chin, "but the sales price has risen due to scarcity of slopeside properties." His firm’s listings include new developments in Deer Valley, such as the Village at Empire Pass (www.villageatempirepass.com) and Nakoma (www.nakomautah.com), a community of 18 ski-in/ski-out homes (priced from $5.4 million).

Michael LaPay (435.655.8600, www.parkcityutrealestate.com) holds Bald Eagle’s priciest listing, at $11.5 million. He claims it is the best property in the exclusive neighborhood. "The home sits at the intersection of multiple ski runs so you get access to the whole mountain," says LaPay.

Ann MacQuoid (435.615.0701, www.thanksann.com) offers listings in a variety of price points and locations throughout Park City, including one for $25 million. This 33,000-square-foot lodge-style home sits at the base of Ninety-Nine Ninety and Peak chair lifts at the Canyons and features 14 bedroom suites, a hotel-quality spa and a 25-seat theater.

Jon Olch (435.640.0244, www.baldeaglerealty.com). Olch shares the listing for Park City’s priciest home, located in the gated, slopeside community of Deer Crest. At $26 million, the 17,000-square foot, seven-bedroom Deerfield Estate boasts a home theater fashioned after a Roman amphitheater, a jet wave pool and a private gondola.
Architects/Designers/Builders
Rustic log homes still get the occasional nod, but many clients are now asking for mountain contemporary–style homes that drop the rustic edge in favor of clean lines and a more finished product. Home theaters, indoor swimming pools and pub/game rooms are musts for high-end customers looking to create the ultimate family gathering place. The most dramatic homes in Park City are found on the mountain with views of the ski areas and the surrounding peaks of the Wasatch Range.

Top: A 12,000-square-foot home with a separate 4,000-square-foot guesthouse designed by Rick Brighton at the Canyons Ski Resort. Photograph by Jodi Hoffman. Bottom: Michael Upwall designed this mountain Craftsman–style home. (Click images to enlarge)

Paula Berg (Paula Berg Design Associates, 435.655.9443, www.paulabergdesign.com). Known for designing homes that are specific to the Southwest environment, Berg likes to incorporate stained-concrete and bamboo flooring, etched-metal or glass facings and combinations of exotic woods in millwork and cabinetry.

Rick Brighton (Brighton Architectural Group, 435.649.0770, www.parkarc.com). A Park City resident since 1976, Brighton specializes in designing mountain-style ranch homes on large lots. "Everything is heavily scaled toward families, spaces for three generations," says Brighton. A current project includes a 30,000-square-foot home with barn, guesthouse, and three connected yurts set on a 160-acre site at Wolf Creek Ranch (www.wolfcreekranch.com).

Contemporary residences by Don Craig, who specializes in trophy properties. Photography by Springgate Architectural Photography. (Click images to enlarge)

Don Craig (Craig Construction, 435.655.8555, www.craigconstruction.com). "We specialize in trophy homes," says Craig. Contemporary ski-in/ski-out residences are his forte. He notes that lighting-control systems are a must in these large homes, as are radiant-heated patios and outdoor gas fire pits.

La Velle Klobes (La Velle Klobes Interiors, 435.649.0156). Klobes, a 26-year resident of Park City, specializes in creating a mountain lodge look. Her current projects include the clubhouse at Victory Ranch (www.victoryranchclub.com), a private ranch community just outside Park City, and Parkwood Place, a collection of eight Arts and Crafts–style homes in the Old Town section of Park City.

Richard Otto (Otto/Walker Architects, 435.649.6373, www.otto-walker.com). Specializing in contemporary residences, this firm has designed more than 20 homes at the Colony at White Pine Canyon. "Our clients are leaning toward the less rustic and opting for a more finished look," says Otto. "Instead of logs we are using more dimensional materials, like squared timbers and contemporary siding."

Michael Upwall (Upwall Design Architects, 801.209.5859, www.upwalldesign.com). "Helping people build a great testament to the achievements in their life is a big responsibility," says Upwall. His company specializes in high-end mountain Craftsman–style homes. A current home that he is building features a climbing wall that ascends against a three-story wall of glass. "It’s designed to feel like you are climbing outdoors."
Landscape Designers/Craftspeople
"We are a small city, but we have great access to wonderful craftspeople," says architect Richard Otto. A collaboration of local masons, metalworkers and woodworkers call Park City home, drawing on natural images such as aspen trees and local elk to bring whimsical and elegant character to custom homes.

Top & Middle: Landscaping by Michael Cornu. Bottom: Tom Kullen’s red copper star adorns the barn at The Red Star Ranch. (Click images to enlarge)

Michael Cornu (Red Barn Trees and Landscaping, 435.649.6434). "We are geared toward ergonomic design that extends the lifestyle to outside the home," says Cornu. His company specializes in designing for difficult sites and using native materials.

Randy R. Meitler (Heritage Forge, 801.509.4444, www.meitlermetalworks.com). "Most of my customers want something that nobody else has," says Meitler, "such as railings that look like aspen trees and branches." He specializes in hand-forged railings, chandeliers, doors and gates.

Tom Kullen (Kullen Design, 435.649.7169, www.kullendesign.com). Working from his Park City metal fabrication shop, Kullen specializes in custom lighting and furniture using copper, brass and steel.

Mike Reachill (Luna Bronze, 435.657.2945, www.lunabronze.com). "There has always been a strong rustic feel here," says Mike Reachill, vice president of Luna Bronze. "But lately a more European feel in concept and design seems to be influencing Park City." The company provides custom lighting, fire screens and architectural pieces in bronze and other materials.

Shopping

Top: Casa Bella. Photograph by T.J. Liese. Middle: Coda Gallery. Bottom: Meyer Gallery. (Click images to enlarge)

A smattering of shops can be found on Park Avenue, but this city’s most serious shopping takes place along the mile-long stretch of Main Street. The Historic District, with more than 40 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is crowded with a variety of galleries and restaurants, serving as the entertainment heart of this town. The new Redstone Center located near Highway 80 is also worth a trip for its handful of galleries and stores.

Casa Bella Furniture and Design (1640 Redstone Center Drive, 435.658.2244, www.casabellapc.com). This 13,500-square-foot showroom carries over 400 furniture and accessory lines. A team of interior designers as well as local furniture makers who specialize in custom work can also be made available.

Coda Gallery (804 Main St., 435.655.3803, www.codagallery.com). The gallery, owned by Connie and David Katz, features contemporary paintings, sculpture, art glass and wood by a variety of Utah artists, such as David Dornan.
Elegante (364 Main St., 435.647.0288, www.eleganteonline.com). This shop carries one-of-a-kind home furnishings such as armoires, beds and dining room tables, as well as custom-ordered upholstery and lighting.

Top: Phoenix Gallery. Photograph by Curtis Olson. Bottom: Terzian Galleries. Photograph by Benjamin Fonnesbeck for Terzian Galleries. (Click images to enlarge)

Meyer Gallery (305 Main St., 435.649.8160, www.meyergallery.com). Established in 1965, this gallery focuses on collector-quality artworks, specializing in bronze sculpture, as well as paintings by regional and national artists.

Mountain Timber Furnishings (6541 Landmark Drive, 435.647.5880, www.mountaintimber.com). This store offers a full line of lodge, rustic and mountain furniture as well as wood flooring.

Phoenix Gallery (508 Main St., 435.649.1006, www.phoenixgalleryparkcity.com). Opened in 2002, this gallery represents local and national contemporary artists, both well-established and emerging.

Terzian Galleries (309 Main St., 435.649.4927, www.terziangalleries.com). This relative newcomer features showings by contemporary regional and national artists with a focus on oil paintings, sculpture and glass.

Events
Park City’s most popular event focuses on films rather than skiing prowess. When the Hollywood set descends on Park City’s snowy sidewalks for the Sundance Film Festival
(January 18–28, 435.658.3456, www.sundance.org), the town’s laid-back atmosphere is set abuzz with celebrity sightings and must-attend parties. Earlier in the month, nearly 300 international freestyle athletes arrive to take on the bumps and jumps at Deer Valley for the FIS Freestyle World Cup (January 11–13, 435.645.6510, www.deervalley.com). The busy summer season showcases a swath of festivals including the Park City Kimball Arts Festival (August 4–5, www.kimball-art.org), which attracts more than 200 exhibitors, and the Park City Jazz Festival (August 24–27, www.parkcityjazz.com), which brings a reputable lineup of musicians.