3 minute read
Sustainable Luxury
COLORADO TRAILBLAZING
A GROWING CONNECTION BETWEEN LUXURY AND SUSTAINABILITY
- Emilee Kelloff, Marketing Coordinator
Colorado has long been the trailblazer for green initiatives and striving to find more sustainable ways of doing just about everything, including building and renovating luxury homes. High-end houses in the most luxurious of markets, like Aspen, Vail and Breckenridge, are featuring more eco-friendly elements and sustainable materials. From smart technology to entire homes focused on biophilic design, luxury in these iconic mountain towns is being redefined.
The last decade, in particular the last two years, has shown a shift in priorities among luxury home buyers. With more high-end homebuyers being younger, their priorities are focused on amenities that elevate a modern, lush lifestyle. At the top of their list is sustainability, efficient use of space and a connection to the outside. According to the Luxury Portfolio International 2021 International Luxury Buyer Trends and Demand Report, 57% of luxury home buyers desire sustainable technology in their future homes. 51% of buyers want wellness amenities in their home and 50%
51% of buyers want wellness amenities in their home and 50% would like their home to be selfsufficient, proving that sustainability is more than the materials and technology used, but the lifestyle it can provide.
Even more important than a single home that emphasizes a small ecological footprint, is entire communities concentrated on a minimal impact. Projects like Electric Pass Lodge in Snowmass Village, Colorado are pioneering community living that is luxurious and incredibly sustainable. The 53 ski-in/ ski-out units in the Snowmass Base Village use 100% renewable electricity and highlight designs that strive to preserve our fresh snow and clean mountain air.
In a recent interview, Christian Barlock, Principal of the Colorado-based architecture firm behind the project says “Electric Pass Lodge will set a new standard for the future of building design in Snowmass and hopefully for ski resorts across North America.” The other design partner on the project, River + Lime says their goal was “to create comforting spaces that offer laid-back sophistication and approachable luxury.”
When choosing a place to escape to, towns that implement green initiatives add to the eco-friendly, modern lifestyle of today’s home buyers. In Vail, they strive to be the front-runner of green mountain towns by becoming the first sustainable mountain resort destination in the world and the first certifiedsustainable destination in the United States certified by a GSTC-Accredited certifying body, Green Destinations. The criteria to become such a sustainable destination includes environmental stewardship, climate change adaptation, greenhouse gas reductions, cultural heritage protection, low impact transportation, waste reduction, public health and safety, workforce housing, sustainability education, and more.
As part of this accreditation the town of Vail encourages business owners to take part in Actively Green, a sustainability training and certification program for local businesses. Pushing sustainability to be a community commitment beyond efforts from local government. Vail has taken huge steps to change the climate of ski-town tourism and integrated it with efforts of sustainability and becoming a “green destination.” Further initiatives like solar panel and e-Bike rebates show a desire for eco-friendly choices within the community.
With high-end homebuyers and tourists alike trending younger and younger, their goals and desires are changing rapidly. From needing to feel more connected to the outdoors, to visiting places that prioritize sustainability, luxury is becoming increasingly green. As a Colorado founded company with 60 years in the luxury mountain real estate industry, we couldn’t be more proud of the changes and growth our communities are pushing for.
Photo courtesy of Walking Mountains Science Center. Walking Mountains Science is the headquarters of the Actively Green Business Certification. Pictured is their Tang Campus in Avon, Colorado
