Whitman Fine Properties

The superrich have been busy scooping up luxury pads around the world. Last year, they liked nowhere better than the U.S.
New data from a study of “ultra-high-net-worth individuals” – richer still than the 0.1% – show that their swelling ranks are increasingly storing wealth in multimillion-dollar mansions around the world.
When a location gains favor with these cash-abundant buyers, defined as those with at least $30 million in assets, luxury home prices tend to jump. And in 2014, New York and Aspen saw prices rise 18.8% and 16%, respectively, putting the cities first and second on a list the 100 global locations featured in Knight Frank’s Prime International Residential Index. (You can see the full index here.)
Renewed confidence in the U.S. economy has helped attract wealthy investors “focused on key safe-havens, where they consider the market safe enough to put their money into bricks-and-mortar,” said Kate Everett-Allen, head of international research at the firm.
San Francisco and Los Angeles were also in the top 10. Overall, luxury property in U.S. cities analyzed saw prices rise by almost 13% on average.
Others regions were shunned, especially second-home destinations in Europe like Cannes and Tuscany. Compared to the U.S., “the disparity with Europe’s cities is stark,” said Ms. Everett-Allen said.
This “relatively simple narrative, undented by even the global financial crisis, has dominated our analysis” since the report was first published in 2007, said Liam Bailey, global head of research at Knight Frank.
The number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals rose 6% to 211,275 in 2014, according to a report last Thursday from Wealth-X and Sotheby’s International Realty.
Cumulatively, these UHNWIs are worth $29.7 trillion, and of that, $2.9 trillion is held in residential real estate, with each UHNWI owning 2.7 properties on average, the Wealth-X report says. Read full article

A downtown Aspen penthouse sells for $3,100 a square foot, an outside developer stays bullish on commercial property, and total sales approach $1.5 billion.  Those were among the highlights of the Aspen-area’s real estate scene in 2014.

Aspen City Council passed an ordinance two years ago banning the construction of penthouses in the downtown core, but the ones that have been built attracted big dollars in 2014. That included the November sale of a penthouse, which is located on the top floor of the Muse Building on Hyman Avenue, for $15.8 million. The sale of the 5,053-square-feet residence translated to more than $3,100 a square foot, a figure that observers considered a record amount for a penthouse.  Read More

Check out Whitman Fine Properties Aspen Core Penthouse listing.  To be completed Fall of 2015.

Aspen has a thriving food scene, from cocktails and steaks to beer & BBQ! Check out a few of the new openings around town this summer:Photo from JimmysBodega.com 

Bootsy Bellows | Tapas by Day, Lounge by Night!
R&R Restaurant | Modern Contemporary Cuisine; Corner of Hyman Ave. & Mill St
Jimmy’s Bodega | Seafood; Former Pacifica space.
The Dollar Bar | Beer & Burgers; Former Double Dog Pub space.
HOPS Culture | Craft Beer & Gourmet Mac&Cheese
El Ricon | Modern Mexican
David Burke Kitchen | Opening Soon!

Now serving lunch!
bb’s | Best patio lunch & nighttime lounge in Aspen!

Image from bbskitchen.com

The brand new development planned at the base of historic Lift 1A has been announced! 14 luxury town homes with unique and luxurious finishes are to be built in the most coveted area of Aspen.

Renderings show phenomenal picture widows, custom metal work and privacy backing right up to Aspen Mountain. You quite literally could not be closer!

This will be a very high-demand complex, with only 14 units to be sold, and 1 already reserved! With six custom floor plans, unique layout and phenomenal location, this incredible opportunity will not be available long!

As a permanent residence, ultimate vacation home, or lucrative rental property, this new complex is a must-see.

For more information on the property, give us a call at 970-544-3771.

You know summer is here when the farmers markets from Aspen all the way to Glenwood are finally in full swing. The heat is getting stronger here in the valley and the local gardens are starting to produce some amazing crops!

For all your organic vegetable, sustainable meat, and local dairy needs, check out these farmers markets this summer:

• Aspen Saturday Market: Saturday 10am-12pm
• Snowmass Market: Sunday 9am-2pm; Base Village; Starts July 13!
• Basalt Farmers Market: Sunday 10am-2pm, Main St.
• Carbondale Farmers Market: Wednesday 10am-3pm; 4th St. Plaza

Lastly, don’t forget about the recently moved Buttermilk Fruit Stand! For years the fruit stand has offered amazingly fresh fruits and vegetables, most especially their peaches! Due to construction at Buttermilk, they have re-located for the summer to the Cozy Point area, right at Brush Creek Rd. and Hwy. 82. Stop by and say hi!