the story
as told by architect, Will Bruder
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ocated at the end of a secluded cul-de-sac ‘parklet’ just three walkable blocks from Aspen Mountain’s ski lifts and minutes from the dining, shopping, and culture of Aspen’s downtown core, Blackbird House/Aspen is a contemporary urban mountain retreat of elegant and original invention. Designed and detailed by internationally recognized architect Will Bruder, this generouslyscaled, carefully proportioned 5829 sq ft, three-level, five-bedroom residence frames intimate views of the nature that embraces its architecture and positions the main living spaces to capture spectacular long distance views to signature Aspen Mountain, the changing seasonal colors of Red and Smuggler Mountains, and the majesty of the west face of Ute Trail’s rock outcropping. The house is sited to quietly and respectfully fit into its neighborhood context, while comfortably standing apart with the confidence of its architectural presence and the distinction of its board and batten charred lumber and anthrazinc skin, black and silver aluminum-framed windows and standing-seam copper clad roof. The carefully scaled cantilevered massing, smoothly arching facade and sloping folded roof forms of the street-facing exterior understate and, indeed, disguise the grand scale of the living spaces within. Masterful in its choreography of movement and plan arrangement, the awareness of light and views energize every aspect of the Blackbird House/Aspen experience. Moving down the simple textured concrete entry path, a canopy offers shelter at the custom-crafted white oak and cobalt blue glass door, while a large window above the canopy frames a view of the gondola chairs ascending Aspen Mountain beyond. On entry, there is immediate awareness of the interior’s spaciousness, material richness, crafted detail and celebration of space and light. The organization of plan and section is simple and fluid. All three levels are connected around a daylit stair of blackened steel, walnut, and cherry, articulated to be comfortable to both touch and movement. Alternatively, a handsome personal elevator serving all three floors is offered.
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he ground level contains the entry, the two-car plus storage garage, the mud/ski room and three bedroom suites, one of which is contained in a fully appointed attached ‘nest’ pavilion. All of these bedrooms have entry to the backyard’s generous hot tub spa, verdant landscaping, and Aspen’s Wheeler irrigation channel. Below ground level is a generous high-ceiled flex room appointed with a fireplace and media wall, a concrete and tile accented light well with terrarium garden, a glass-walled wine cellar/tasting area, and support pantry bar. A shower/steam room, secured owner’s closet, central laundry, and full mechanical, IT, radiant heat and HVAC support area are included here. A secluded, but daylit, bedroom suite completes the lower level features. On the upper living level, the horizon and sky are embraced under a high folded ‘origami-like’ ceiling of richly waxed white plaster, intersected by tall windows and clerestories that carry the eye to the views beyond. The privilege of spacious indoor/outdoor perspectives is offered to all living, dining and kitchen ‘great room’ areas.
A generous gas fireplace and dramatically scaled mantle of quilted grey stone punctuates the space and offers a focal point for relaxation, conversation and entertaining. A deeply variegated natural fiber carpet on the room’s engineered walnut flooring further defines this space. Carefully selected lounge chairs, leather sofas, and coffee and occasional tables are thoughtfully placed to insure comfort. Two brilliantly colored shaggy wool ottomans add a dash of humor to this sophisticated, yet relaxed, space. A fully equipped chef’s kitchen is another hub of activity and enjoyment. It is appointed with beautifully crafted, signature Henrybuilt cabinets of white oak with thick honed stainless steel (polished edge) countertops. The appliance package is Miele and Sub-Zero with gas cooktop, under-counter wine cooler, double dishwasher, and a walk-in pantry. Conversation with the cook is invited at counter stool seating for four. Easterly views to Red Mountain and Smuggler are enjoyed from a breakfast nook directly adjacent to the kitchen area. Passage from the kitchen to the formal dining area is seamless. A custom table of eucalyptus wood that generously accommodates seating for ten is dramatically lit by a LucePlan ‘Hope’ chandelier, while a nearby large side board buffet offers a surface for the presentation of a most sumptuous feast. A short walk from the great room is a generous nest-like deck for al fresco dining and relaxing. This tiled area sits atop the nest bedroom suite below and offers a dramatic ‘open to the sky’ experience of the entire surround, perhaps inviting one to take in the warm waters of the nearby garden hot tub just below. A modest study enjoys spectacular views across town to the mountains beyond, while a powder room is tucked in for easy access from all the common spaces.
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he adjacent master suite enjoys the same dramatic interior and exterior features as the great room: a lofty sculpted ceiling with large windows viewing on to the trees, mountain, and sky. A fireplace (the fraternal twin to that in the living room), a cantilevered deck and timeless furnishings of leather and rich fabrics offer a sensual and secluded private oasis. A large Henrybuilt walk-in closet, a personal stacking washer-dryer, and linen storage closets support the self-contained features of the master suite. The master bath is positioned to optimize the enjoyment of morning light and is complete with a double sink vanity, a clerestory lit toilet alcove, a luminous stone-clad shower, and a freestanding sculptural soaking tub for two. The experience of the Blackbird House/Aspen is greater than the sum of all these parts. It offers a sophisticated contemporary and comfortable platform for living: quiet corners for relaxation, contemplation and enjoyment of the surrounding landscape, support for work and play of all types, and inviting beautifully-appointed spaces for great gatherings. Descriptors and pictures can only go so far in conveying the joys and secrets of this house. The truth of a place is always in direct experience. And so it is with Blackbird House/Aspen.
the details
Main Level
Upper Level
Lower Level
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PERENNIAL WALK + CRUSHER FINE PATH
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27 may 2015
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bluegreen 27 may 2015
www.bluegreenaspen.com 300 south spring street I suite 202 I aspen, colorado 81611 I t 970 429 7499 I f 970 429 9499
www.bluegreenaspen.com
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landscape planting plan
blackbirdhouse ASPEN STREET ADDRESS:
1118 E. Waters Avenue; Aspen, CO 81611
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
Lot 6, Calderwood Subdivision; Pitkin County, Colorado
LOT SIZE:
9016 sq ft
ELEVATION: 7962’ ARCHITECT:
Will Bruder Will Bruder Architects, Phoenix, AZ
GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
Koru, Ltd., Aspen, CO
LANDSCAPE DESIGN:
bluegreen, Aspen, CO
YEAR BUILT: 2015 BEDROOMS/BATHS:
5 bedrooms/6½ baths
SQUARE FEET Heated living: 5829 sq ft, per architect; all levels connected by an elevator • 2013 sq ft on upper level (entertaining spaces + master suite) • 1734 sq ft on main level (‘The Nest’ guest master suite + 2 guest bedrooms/baths + mudroom) • 2082 sq ft on lower level (media/family room + wine cellar and bar + guest bedroom suite + laundry and mechanical rooms) PARKING: Two-car, heated 535 sq ft garage with windows, “toy” storage, and access to backyard. Additional 2-car guest off-street parking. VIEWS: 270º degree views including gondola on Aspen Mountain to the west, the rock outcropping at the top of the Ute Trail to the south, as well as the ‘parklet’ at the end of the Waters Avenue cul-desac and Smuggler and Red Mountains to the east. DECKS/TERRACES: South-facing terraces, including one with 7-person garden spa accessible from main level guest bedrooms + 543 sq ft rooftop deck over guest master ‘Nest’ suite which is connected by walkway bridge to living room. SNOWMELT SYSTEMS: Hydronic snowmelt systems in following locations: entry walk and porch; driveway apron at garage door; portions of lower west patio; portions of upper patio/spa deck; and guest master suite rooftop deck and walkway which links deck to living room.
ROOF:
Copper standing seam panels, with heat tape.
HEATING/COOLING: Hydronic radiant floor heating throughout interiors. Forced air cooling and humidification throughout, with multiple zone control. Electric snowmelt systems in north and south lower level window wells. FIREPLACES:
4 Heat-n-Glo gas fireplaces installed in living room, master suite, south guest bedroom on main level, and in media/family room. Living room and master fireplaces feature walls of ‘Ostrich Gray’ quartzite installed in a random honed and rough-chiseled format.
OTHER FEATURES: Sub-Zero and Miele kitchen appliances. Henrybuilt closet systems throughout. Complete A/V system featuring built-in speakers and Bang & Olufson or Samsung flat-screen TVs. Wine room with 288-bottle capacity. Elevator. Lutron lighting system with programmable “scene” controls. Security system (fire, intrusion and environmental). INTERIOR FINISHES: Diamond trowel plaster finishes on walls. Wood plank flooring on upper level entertainment areas. Honed quartzite or limestone floors in baths. Carpeted bedrooms. Glazed ‘Metallic Silver’ porcelain tile on remaining floor surfaces. Grey oak cabinetry, door frames, and “barn” doors. Other materials used include ‘Anthrazinc’ sheet metal cladding, blackened steel, and stainless steel. EXTERIOR FINISHES: Shou-Sugi-Ban ‘Gator’- or ‘Tiger’-treated cypress and teak, on both home and north and south fences. Anthrazinc sheet metal cladding. Natural zinc sheet metal cladding with custom ripple pattern on garage door panels. Bead-blasted stainless steel. Powder-coated steel. LANDSCAPING: Features include Wheeler irrigation stream running the length of the west property line, mugo pine, aspens, chokecherry, lawn, both sun-tolerant and shade-tolerant perennials, and finely-crushed stone paths. Landscape plan available. UTILITIES:
City of Aspen Water. Holy Cross Electric. Source Gas. Phone and data via Comcast. Proguard Security.
OCCUPANT:
New construction – home has never been occupied.
PROPERTY TAXES:
$8595/yr (2014) – taxes do not represent value of newly constructed and completed home
REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAX: Yes, 1½% of purchase price, paid by Buyer at Closing PRICE:
$12,847,000, fully furnished (inventory available upon request)
TERMS:
Cash, or terms otherwise acceptable to Seller.
For further information about this property, as well as professional photography which will be available in late June, contact your broker.
Aspen Snowmass Properties | BJ Adams & Company Contact BJ Adams at 970.379.2114 or bj@AspenSnowmassProperties.com