The Guide: Park City, Utah
January 1, 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
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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.
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