Marble, Colorado ELK HUNTING, FLY FISHING, MOUNTAIN BIKING, BACKPACKING, HIKING, FOUR-WHEELING IN THE MARBLE, COLORADO AREA
The real estate market in Redstone, Colorado is unique in many ways. Originally founded as a coal mining town in the early 1900’s, Redstone was not your typical gritty little mining town. The founder, John Cleveland Osgood, was a Utopian idealist who believed in providing quality housing for his workers. The Redstone Inn, a beautiful hotel that graces the entrance to the small mountain town, was actually the housing for the bachelor miners, who were required to wear a coat and tie at dinner.
Beautiful Victorian houses from the 1900’s line Redstone Boulevard. These were the homes of the mine’s assayers, accountants, foremen, and married workers. Most of these homes have been completely modernized, and the marriage of modern conveniences with the charming design and old-world construction makes these original homes very popular and somewhat pricey.
Redstone is only 17 miles south of Carbondale, and about 50 minutes from Aspen. This proximity to the world-famous ski resort means Redstone residents get the best of both worlds—privacy and peace and quiet in a beautiful mountain setting, yet the amenities of a world-class resort are a short drive away. Shopping, restaurants, concerts, skiing, film festivals, World Cup ski races, the X Games, and even writer’s conferences and world leadership conferences all take place within an hour’s drive. Carbondale, with a large grocery store, great restaurants, and lots of service businesses, is only 20 minutes away.
Redstone Boulevard is lined with many charming art galleries, stores, two motels, and a couple of good restaurants. The Church at Redstone is one of the most popular churches in the Roaring Fork Valley. During the winter, the boulevard is not plowed, so that Chair Mountain Stable can bring tourists up and down the street in their giant sleighs drawn by Percheron draft horses.
There are several neighborhoods within two or three miles of Redstone where premium mountain living is possible. Most of the homes are of high-quality construction, with stunning views of Chair Mountain, the dominant mountain to the south, and the surrounding Elk Mountain range. If you’re looking for the 10,000-square-foot mansions that sprawl over the hillsides around Aspen and Snowmass, you won’t find them in Redstone. The average home size is between 3,000 and 4,000 square feet—plenty large enough for comfortable living, yet not ostentatious and obnoxious.
What are real estate values in Redstone? Well, a nice 3,000-square-foot home on an acre or two might bring between $500,000 and $600,000, in early 2009 prices. Given the moderation in national real estate pricing, there are some price reductions in the Redstone market, but don’t look for any fire sales. These are not neighborhoods where you see foreclosure signs and bank-owned properties. These homes are in relatively high demand compared to the slow national market.
I’ve kept my finger on the pulse of the Redstone market for years. I work as a buyer’s agent, helping people locate properties and drive the best bargain for my buyers. Call me if you need representation on a Redstone property, or if you need help locating the ideal home, building lot, or commercial opportunity.
