Thought perhaps a dedicated thread would be interesting.

And why not start it off with this....

http://www.markolfdesigns.com/bridgehampton.htm

.....which I noticed this weekend in a classified in the Valley Reporter's real estate section. It was extensively discussed in the AZ Sugarbush Thread with the thought it was being built for someone....but it looks like a spec house.

Just looking at the classifieds (with some FSBO ads) and the MLS.....seems condo's are being priced aggressively. I think a Forum unit was placed on the market at 410k. We looked at one two years ago for $285k.

So, Howie asks you....."Deal, or no Deal ?".....wait, he meant "Bubble, or no Bubble ?"....

I see an episode of Amazing Vacation Homes in the offing. Not my style of home, that much I will say. Give me a wrap around porch with a view any day.

Never seen a place that has inspired such a wellspring of dislike.

The best I've heard about it is that it doesn't belong here.

You mention the white elephant and everyone immediately knows what you are talking about.


As to the larger point, I think the bubble is the same one that is in the NE, if not nation. How long can it last? Some think it couldn't last as long as it has.

As to the question in the Blue Tooth thread as to what is affordable in the valley, the more that is built, the more becomes affordable in the long run. Thereare a lot of people living in these condos, full time. ( * raises hand * )

Man, that's some forbidding-looking place--looks like it could house a medical research center! Guess no one told them that warmer colors work better in the northland? Re. real estate in the valley, there's a pretty obvious shortage of condo space. I'd bet that the access road and german flats get built up a bit over time. The slopeside stuff, especially the true slopeside, will continue to appreciate, in my humble.

I think that house is totally awesome...except for the color. If it was painted a dark earth tone and blended in it could be a cool addition to the village. Did the architect give them a deal if they allowed it to be a neon-like ad for his work? Wonder if there is a chance that whoever buys it will maybe repaint it.

I don't begrudge people who build these mansions but wish they would make an effort to blend into the landscape better. I really respect those who build them and they are basically hidden from public view. Out west and here in the east it has gotton so bad that many places have tight building restrictions. In the MRV you can't build above 1700 feet and in Jackson Hole you cannot build on top of an open hill/ridge.

Compared to most "ski towns" real estate is cheap in the Mad River Valley. I bought my place for 1/4 of what it would cost in Jackson Hole and 1/2 of Stowe's prices. It's been pretty sedentary(real estate expension) for the last 10 years and many are hoping that Claybrook will be a catylyst to some expansion on the real estate situation. While the prices are still a good deal, altho have gone steadily up at a slow pace in recent years, the supply is very tight. I think buying a place in the valley is a good investment.

I also think the need for affordable housing will get greater as times moves forward and as each year passes by the task of doing affordable housing will get harder and harder. I have seen it happen in ski/resort towns all over the country.

ski_resort_observer wrote:

I think that house is totally awesome...except for the color. If it was painted a dark earth tone and blended in it could be a cool addition to the village. Did the architect give them a deal if they allowed it to be a neon-like ad for his work? Wonder if there is a chance that whoever buys it will maybe repaint it.

....let's all chip in and buy the place....then let Ullr live there for free ! 700" annual for the valley !

Good observations on the place.....sort of didn't mind it my self as I mentioned in the SB thread on AZ...feeling both the color and replace glass block (not a personal favorite) and some landscaping, and, well....better. Don't like the piece of land from a traffic and privacy standpoint. Set back in a niche of pine somewhere up a long driveway....well, could be pretty nifty. Interior space looks interesting.

Different strokes....

I think it's an attractive house for Arizona or Southern California. I don't understand why someone would build in that style in the mountains of Vermont, though.

Speaking of Claybrook, I think it looks obnoxious. I liked the old base set-up much better. I guess I'm just longing for the Sugarbush of 3 or 4 years ago...

skibum1321 wrote:

Speaking of Claybrook, I think it looks obnoxious. I liked the old base set-up much better. I guess I'm just longing for the Sugarbush of 3 or 4 years ago...

I think it would look awesome just after a 3 foot snowstorm You'd probably like it just fine too!

smootharc wrote:

Thought perhaps a dedicated thread would be interesting. And why not start it off with this.... http://www.markolfdesigns.com/bridgehampton.htm .....which I noticed this weekend in a classified in the Valley Reporter's real estate section. It was extensively discussed in the AZ Sugarbush Thread with the thought it was being built for someone....but it looks like a spec house. Just looking at the classifieds (with some FSBO ads) and the MLS.....seems condo's are being priced aggressively. I think a Forum unit was placed on the market at 410k. We looked at one two years ago for $285k. So, Howie asks you....."Deal, or no Deal ?".....wait, he meant "Bubble, or no Bubble ?"....

I saw that place last fall before I moved and was pretty disturbed. As an architect, I try and blend houses/buildings into their environments and not make a brash statement such as this architect/designer did.

For me, it's all about context, and this white elephant is definately that at a ski resort. But to each his own I suppose! I am surprised it got past the Warren planning board though, but then again, I guess its not a historic district so I guess the planning board dosen't really have a say.

As for the Clay Brook project, I prefer the original design, but I think they did pretty good with the plan they have now considering the budget! (although the idea of a farm [silo] at the base of a ski resort is a little odd-but I do see what look they were going for.)

Dave

I can not make my mind up when I see this house, it definitely sticks out! Odd location really, for the house as someone else noted, no privacy. Close to road. 800 smackeroos!! wonder how long that stays on market? Hmm...I would be rather nervous myself. The acronym white elephant seems spot on.

Seems more appropo for "Scarface" or maybe a San Fernando Valley porno production site.


-Josh

I like the look of the Claybrook Lodge. It's got a nice Vermont flavor to it.

KingM wrote:

I like the look of the Claybrook Lodge. It's got a nice Vermont flavor to it.

I just think it towers over the parking lot and takes away something from the base area. I liked the fact that there was no monstrosity at the base of Sugarbush before. That has changed with Claybrook.

I take your point--the "old" base area had a casual, old-time feel to it. However, it was completely outdated and, to my mind, presented the wrong image to the weekend/holiday skier. Many of these folks are looking for a great ski spot, yes, but also for a "major league" ski experience. The old base area was decidedly understated, even "minor league". Believe it or not, lots of these skiers want to drive up the access road of whatever area they're visiting and be a bit overwhelmed. Finding the balance between major league and minor league has been, and will continue to be, a challenge for Sugarbush. I would be shocked, however, if the Claybrook project and the associated LP base area renovation doesn't turn out to be a huge commercial success.

Clay Brook defintiely looks out of place right now given its size. I think it's design will generally be a winner, as opposed to the generic crap that is the Grand Summit Hotels at ASC resorts. While it does tower over the other structures in the base area today, I think that will be ameliorated by the imminent construction of the Skier Services Bldg and the new Gate House Lodge. Both of these structures will be far larger (in height and width) than what is currently sitting on their footprint and will help to make Clay Brook fit in a little better. Here's the master plan for the base that shows what I'm talking about:

http://www.lincolnpeakvillage.com/ezstatic/data/lincolnpeakvillage/i/siteplan_large.jpg

I'd like to think that this project wil bea huge success and act as the genesis for a real estate renaissance in the area, but I'm sceptical. According to SB's own website, they've only sold about 60% of the inventory so far.

http://www.lincolnpeakvillage.com/static/lincolnpeakvillage/inventory.php

Maybe that page hasn't been updated recently, but if it's accurate, that's not exactly great progress (they allegedly had over 50% sold by the time they announced the project a year ago)