Listing of the Day
Location: Aspen, Colorado Price: $14.95 million
For Gail and Bill Braun, the opportunity to own a working cattle ranch in the altitudes along the Rocky Mountains brought the couple to Woody Creek, an affluent community seven miles from Aspen.
The Brauns hired renowned local architect Bill Poss to design their home, which is modeled after an Italian farmhouse. While the couple waited for the house to be built, they lived with two of their children and a German exchange student in the adjacent, four-stalled horse barn.
Mrs. Braun says the home is ideal for indoor/outdoor living. “There are a lot of doors you can throw open if you have a party and people can just come and go,” she says. Inside, the home’s reclaimed hickory floors and intricate stonework add to its charm.
Set against a mountain backdrop, the location allows for quiet walks along idyllic Woody Creek, which meanders through the ranch, says listing agent Doug Leibinger of Compass. Mrs. Braun says that all kinds of wildlife, including foxes and deer, are regular visitors, and that recently, blue herons have begun nesting on the property.
The Braun ranch leads directly to the Rio Grande Trail, a 42-mile hiking and biking pathway that stretches from Aspen, to Glenwood, Colo.
The Stats
The 13,000-square-foot farmhouse sits on 35 bucolic acres. There are five bedrooms, seven full bathrooms and two powder rooms in the main house. There’s also a 750-square-foot guesthouse with an additional bedroom and bathroom. The heated garage can accommodate three cars.
Amenities
The ranch is a dream come true for equestrian lovers, with its meticulously kept grounds and lush pastures – perfect for a quiet amble or a vigorous trot. There’s a heated, four-stall horse barn, outdoor paddocks and a riding area. Trout fishing is popular on the three ponds.
Inside, the home has two media rooms, a gym, a spa, and a 4,000-square-foot basement equipped with a wine cellar. There’s also an outdoor fireplace and a hot tub.
Neighborhood Notes
Through the years, Woody Creek has been home to many famous names, including actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, “60 Minutes” anchor Ed Bradley, guitarist John Oates of Hall and Oates, and Eagles musician Don Henley.
The Brauns became friends with many of these celebrities. Their son even had play dates with actress Dakota Johnson, who grew up to star in “50 Shades of Grey.”
The town’s most legendary celebrity, perhaps, was the “Gonzo” journalist Hunter S. Thompson, who spent much of his time carousing at the Woody Creek Tavern, a popular local watering hole.
Agents: Doug Leibinger and Steven Shane of Compass
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