The Luxury Home Tour – Not Your Average ‘Hood
There’s nothing petite about Deer Crest. The 600-acre, private gated community situated on the slopes of Deer Valley Resort boasts some of the largest homes and biggest views of, well, anywhere. But when it comes to the annual Luxury Home Tour, primarily benefiting The Peace House (a non-profit shelter for victims of domestic abuse), it’s more about “wow” than massive square footage. The event organizers seek out unusual, swanky homes to showcase. And since Deer Crest blends “luxury” and “unique” rather well, it is once again the locale for the 22-year-old tour. The half-dozen homes on tap for the August 10 event are not as-of-press-time announced. So, in order to offer a glimpse of luxurious, Deer Crest living, Mountain Express has chosen to spotlight two homes currently on the real estate market. Please note that these featured homes are not necessarily slated to be part of this summer’s Luxury Home Tour.
LUXURY SPOTLIGHT: TWO DEER CREST HOMES
These featured properties are just two examples of Deer Crest living. Both are currently listed for sale (as of April 2013).[onehalf]
2937 West Jordanelle
View Drive $6,999,999
At 12,000 square feet, this ski-in/ski- out home has room for every bell and whistle imaginable.
“It’s the complete package,” says Realtor Peter Linsey, “and it’s a very dramatic home.”
The front door opens to seemingly endless glass, giving way to views of the Jordanelle Reservoir and a cascading waterfall. And grandeur proliferates the five-bedroom, seven-bath home with classy and opulent features: 13 fireplaces, hydraulic elevator, four-story spiraling staircase, 3,000 feet of decking, two kitchens, butler’s pantry, two-story family room, library, media room, wine room, office, ski room, exercise room (with steam shower and sauna) and 10-person hot tub. Each bedroom has a patio or deck, fireplace, jetted tub, shower and cedar-lined closet.
From the scraped walnut floors to the copper roof, this is living large.[/onehalf] [onehalflast]
9985 North Summit
View Drive $8,498,000
Built strategically in the top quadrant of the Deer Crest community, this home overlooks the lake below, the ski runs of Bald Mountain and the Uintas in the distance.
It’s an entertainer’s dream with three stories of windows giving the enormous great room an even more expansive feel.
This ski in/ski out house encompasses approximately 10,000 square feet with seven bedrooms, seven-and-a-half baths, home theater, wet bars, two wine rooms, exercise room, and hot tub surrounded by beautifully serene landscaped grounds.
With giant, exposed wood columns and the rustic yet gentrified feel of a grand lodge, this home is the epitome of a western, mountain retreat. Not over-the-top in cowboy kitsch, but, as Realtor Carol Anne Kret says, “Wonderfully warm and really very special.”[/onehalflast]
Not Your Average’ Hood
Deer Crest is one of a handful of gated communities that is located slope-side at a top-ranked ski resort and within 40 minutes of a major metropolitan airport. More than 60% of its 600 acres is designated open space, according to Realtor Suzanne Harris. Many of the homes are ski-in/ ski-out or within striking distance of the 11 private (a.k.a. resident-access only) ski runs. The gondola and high- speed chairlift make for ease of on-mountain access. Hiking and mountain biking trails, which are accessible Deer Crest is one of a handful of gated communities that is located slope-side at a top-ranked ski resort and within 40 minutes of a major metropolitan airport. More than 60% of its 600 acres is designated open space, according to Realtor Suzanne Harris. Many of the homes are ski-in/ ski-out or within striking distance of the 11 private (a.k.a. resident-access only) ski runs. The gondola and high- speed chairlift make for ease of on-mountain access. Hiking and mountain biking trails, which are accessible to the public, traverse the area; and anyone who’s biked the gorgeous Spin Cycle Trail knows that the Deer Crest section of the local trail system has challenging terrain in addition to more happy-go-lucky trails.
For many Deer Crest residents, the posh St. Regis Deer Valley is within walking distance. All homeowners can drive to the hotel, reaching its eateries, spa and ski shop via the gated entrance; everyone else must arrive via funicular on Deer Valley Drive. Since the Deer Crest community has two entrances, quick access to lower Deer Valley and Old Town Park City is available through the west gate while the east gate provides easy entry to Highway 40, the Jordanelle Reservoir and Heber City’s airport, which welcomes private jets.
The homes are situated on a sloping hillside, so that expansive views of the Jordanelle and surrounding mountain ranges are part of the allure. Though there are officially 150 home sites plotted in the development, 81 homes are currently built or under construction and several of those edifices span more than one lot, which means the grand total isn’t likely to be higher than 125 when the project reaches capacity.
The Luxury Home Tour
For one August day, approximately 1,000 ticket-holding tour enthusiasts don little booties at the front doors of six remarkable homes and take their time checking out all the architectural and artistic features. According to Sandra Vogt, who heads up the tour on behalf of Park City Board of Realtors, the fully-furnished homes are private residences with pizazz— impressive art and architecture as well as edgy or rare features.
“If it’s got big personality, we get excited,” Vogt says of each prospective home. The $60 Luxury Home Tour ticket includes lunch, the good feeling of supporting charity and access to the shuttle buses, which take attendees from house to house. Each visitor may meander through the awe-inspiring edifice at a leisurely pace. To create atmosphere, local musicians perform at each home.
Given that the tour raised approximately $150,000 last year, tour organizers will spread the wealth around a bit this year, donating a big chunk to The Peace House as well as a few additional non-profit organizations.
Living… and Giving
Deer Crest living is grand. It’s glamorous. And each summer, the doors to this luxurious lifestyle swing open to the public thanks to the generosity of such a neighborhood’s homeowners. Sure, the Luxury Home Tour is an opportunity to marvel, to gather decorating ideas and to imagine dwelling in a chateau-like abode. But, it’s also a day to raise awareness about domestic abuse and to raise funds to help create safe havens for victims. And perhaps being part of a community that values shelter—in its grandest and most modest forms—is the biggest wow factor of all.
CAROL ANNE KRET
435-901-1299 | carola@myparkcityutah.com | Keller Williams
NICK CARAVAGLIA
435-731-0113 | nick@myparkcityutah.com | Keller Williams
PETER LINSEY
435-901-8808 | palinsey@gmail.com | Prudential Utah Real Estate
