The historic property, called Elk Mountain Lodge, is a stunner just 10 miles outside of downtown Aspen. There are four parcels up for sale, totaling 28 bedrooms spread across 13 buildings in the pristine valley. Originally homesteaded in 1907 and converted to a dude ranch in the 1930s, the property was turned into an event space when Koch purchased it in 2007.
Bill, the youngest in the conservative Koch brother trifecta, is a real estate collector of sorts, with a compound in Cape Cod and a 6,400-acre ranch in Colorado, on which he built a private faux-Western town. He picked up the main Elk Mountain Lodge for $26.5 million in 2007 and then acquired the three neighboring parcels. The whole package was put back on the block in 2014 at $90 million, but did not sell. In 2015, it was listed again for an eye-watering $100 million — easily Aspen's most expensive listing ever, and one of the highest listing prices in the country as well. It's now listed at the new price with Douglas Elliman Real Estate.
Situated in a narrow valley between the Elk Mountains, the 80-plus acres have been everything from a homestead to a dude ranch to, most recently, an entertainment venue. There are four parcels in the Castle Creek Valley.
One of the residences is the American Lake log cabin; it's on offer with the main parcel for $60 million. The property manager currently calls the three-bedroom cabin home.
The second parcel, called Ashcroft, is 7.4 acres and available separately for $3.4 million. It's got an outdoor hot tub and a cozy wood-burning stove.
Outdoor living spaces offer stunning mountain views.
Exposed beams give it a rustic vibe.
It's old-fashioned, with a freestanding clawfoot tub in one of the bathrooms.
The third property, the four-bedroom Crystal Cabin, is set on 21 acres. Its standout feature is an indoor basketball court. It's being sold separately for $4.4 million.
The basketball court is an unusual touch for a log cabin.
The surrounding forestland is pristine.
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And finally there's the main house, Elk Mountain Lodge. It's 15,000 square feet of classic Western decadence overlooking the water.
Here's a view over Castle Creek Valley from one of the lodge's guest rooms.
The lodge is decked out in rustic style, with all of the accoutrements you'd expect of a traditional log cabin.
Living spaces are cozy and replete with fireplaces.
Kitchens are equipped to deal with a high volume of guests, and a temperature- and humidity-controlled wine cellar is prepared for a sizable collection.
Pieces of old-school Americana and antler art decorate wooden walls.
The formal dining room can easily seat 20.
The floors are made of rare zebra wood.
An antler chandelier keeps the theme going strong, while banisters are wrapped in leather.
One special feature: a room designed especially for altitude acclimation, where visitors can adjust to the 9,400-foot elevation while breathing pure oxygen.
Bedrooms are decked out in old-fashioned bedsteads, with fireplaces to keep warm in the snowy winter.
Living spaces take full advantage of the views.
The ponds are stocked with trout for prime fishing just off the deck.
There's also an indoor sports court and gym with an aquatic exercise chamber.
The property is gated and private.
Multiple ponds and private forests are part of the property's appeal.
Best yet, it's just a short drive from Aspen.
