Location: Stowe, Vermont
05/01/2007
When the famous singing von Trapp family decided to sink roots into American soil in the early 1940s, they chose Stowe, a quaint Vermont town north enough to call Canada their neighbor. A half-century later, Stowe retains the magnetic appeal that lured the Sound of Music brood—a combination of pristine natural beauty and passionate civic-mindedness that conspire to entice those in search of a destination that isn’t buffeted by fads, celebrities or thoughtless zoning.; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();) |
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"Folks in Vermont are fiercely loyal, independent and dedicated to the natural environment, and that brings in likeminded people of all types," says Pall Spera, partner at Lang McLaughry Spera real estate company. "Corporate titans come here for not only the tranquillity, but to head down to the hardware store unnoticed, so they can do the kind of manual labor that keeps them grounded."
That sort of sensible approach to life is echoed throughout Stowe, whose surrounding mountains and lakes provide four-season fun. Instead of sprawling, 10,000-square-foot-plus estates that dot resorts such as Aspen, most new homes in Stowe range from 2,500 to 6,500 square feet, and are usually accompanied by a few acres of land. Construction quality is "top notch," says Spera, and typically hovers close to a reasonable $250 to $300 a square foot, depending on finish materials.
"The focus here is always on capturing a view with a house that’s designed with both ergonomics and the environment in mind," he says, no surprise for a state whose citizens are known for achieving corporate success, while embracing a practical and green lifestyle (such as ice cream entrepreneurs Ben and Jerry).
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One noted area architect has dubbed Stowe’s new ar-chitecture style Adirondack Revival, an embrace of rustic and simple traditions, whose clean lines evoke simpler yet richly lived times.
"The pattern among the newly wealthy who are building homes here is to pursue a vision that is fundamentally casual," says Milford Cushman, principal of the Cushman Design Group. "They’re looking for fireplaces, porches and large family areas, all built with the best natural materials and by the top builders. They’re not looking to bang out another commodity. They’re looking to buy time to truly relax."
And at what cost such rural bliss? While Stowe, like much of the nation, has enjoyed its own bump in prices over the past half-decade, the area remains affordable compared to some of its equally well-known counterparts in the West.
Back in 2000, "a small chalet on two acres ran about $300,000, but today it’s $700,000," says Jill Anne of Vermont Country Properties/Sotheby’s International Realty. More expansive properties—say a 4,000-square-foot, four-bedroom home with a few acres—can run between $1 million and $3.5 million, depending on views or proximity to the ever-charming village of Stowe.
"I bristle a bit when people call Stowe a resort, because it’s as real as a place can get, from its regular town meetings to the sense of public service that everyone here feels," says Biddle Duke, publisher of The Stowe Reporter. "The market here is hot because it’s driven by people who are searching out something truly genuine."
Soon there will be more space for those who are interested in Stowe. Enter Spruce Peak, a $300 million build out underway at Stowe Mountain Resort that will add everything from snowmaking to trails to a base facility replete with condos, homes and an alpine-flavored village that promises to reenergize Mt. Mansfield, Stowe’s evergreen people-magnet since the 1800s.
"Being close to the mountain is very appealing for some buyers, especially those who are really just trying to get away from it all," says Anne, who adds that Spruce Peak’s most exclusive digs will fetch between $3 million and $6 million.
And it’s not just snow that reels folks in—though, thanks to its northerly latitude, Stowe can usually count on more of the white stuff than its downstate rivals. Stowe’s reputation as a warm-weather getaway is enhanced by a half-dozen golf courses, neighboring Lake Champlain and a growing number of health spas. "And please don’t forget our fall foliage," adds Anne. Indeed, as spectacles go, fall in Vermont ranks up there with the Seven Wonders, and it’s free.
Despite evidence that suggests Stowe is bound to become a major destination, particularly for the Northeast corridor set, one simple fact may well ensure that it never gets overrun. Unless you’re flying in by jet to an area municipal airport, it still takes hours to reach Stowe by car from New York, Boston and Montreal.
"Simply put, we’re still far enough away from anyplace that we can’t really be considered a quick weekend getaway type place," says Duke. "As a result, we’re bound to retain the culture and character that has made us who we are."
Facts & Stats
Stowe Away
Stowe is not the easiest place to get to, which is precisely what keeps the Vermont hideaway so special. The nearest international airport is in Burlington, about a 45-minute drive. If you’re loading up the SUV and plan to head in with the family from some of the East Coast’s bigger boroughs, keep in mind that—in normal driving conditions—it is a good six hours from New York, and nearly four from Boston. While a weekend in Stowe might be just what the doctor ordered for your big-city blues, you might want to consider a stay of a week in light of what it takes to get to town. Information: Stowe Area Association, 802.253.7321, www.gostowe.com.
Pull Up A Chair
If northern Vermont’s time-honored traditions and simple ways get under your skin, a variety of area agents are prepared to handle searches for everything from cozy cabins to ridge-top retreats. One area guru is Pall Spera of Lang McLaughry Spera real estate company (802.253.1806, www.pallspera.com), while others in the know include Vermont Country Properties/Sotheby’s International Realty (802.253.7267, www.vermontcountryproperties.com) and Carlson Real Estate (802.253.7358, www.stowevermontrealestate.com). Spruce Peak (888.403.7739, www.livestowe.com) also has many ownership opportunities.
Climb Every Mountain
The voices of the von Trapp family singers, made famous in The Sound of Music, can almost be heard in the expansive halls of the Trapp Family Lodge that quickly grew from homestead to guest quarters. Today, the stunning 2,400-acre compound offers visitors breathtaking mountain views from 96 rooms in the lodge as well as 100 cottages that are available on a timeshare basis. Year-round activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, tennis, croquet and even maple sugaring. And for a real taste of old Austria, try the delicacies served daily in the tea room (802.253.8511, www.trappfamily.com).