I went inside million-dollar homes on Aspen's 'Billionaire Mountain,' a residential enclave for the ultra rich
Monica Humphries
The author drove along Red Mountain Road, which is home to some of Aspen's wealthiest residents.Monica Humphries/Insider
- Red Mountain in Aspen, Colorado, is home to some of the ski town's most sought-after real estate.
- The neighborhood attracts so many ultra-rich residents that it's been dubbed "Billionaire Mountain."
When it comes to ski town real estate, Aspen, Colorado, is as expensive as it gets. It has the highest asking price per square foot in the US at $2,378 a square foot, according to a 2020 Savills report.
Skiers walking up to Aspen Mountain in Aspen, Colorado. Monica Humphries/Insider
And the region is only getting richer. The average home sold for $11.4 million in 2020 — up from $6.4 million in 2019, according to Aspen Daily News.
Two homes overlooking Aspen, Colorado. Monica Humphries/Insider
Source: Aspen Daily News
One of the hottest places to buy property in Aspen is on Red Mountain, a neighborhood overlooking downtown Aspen.
Red Mountain in Aspen, Colorado. Monica Humphries/Insider
The neighborhood attracts so many ultra-wealthy residents that it's earned the nickname, "Billionaire Mountain."
A street sign on Red Mountain Road. Monica Humphries/Insider
Some of the world's richest families own property on Red Mountain, from Walmart heiress Ann Walton to the Bezos family.
Walmart heiress Ann Walton Kroenke, left; Jeff Bezos, right. IAN WALTON/Reuters/Katherine Taylor/Reuters
I drove up the mountain to see what prime real estate looks like in the country's richest ski town. I also got a sneak peek into some of Aspen's most exclusive properties currently on the market.
The author in front of a Red Mountain Road street sign. Monica Humphries/Insider
The base of Red Mountain is less than a five-minute drive from Aspen's main street.
Holiday lights in Aspen, Colorado. Monica Humphries/Insider
At the bottom of Red Mountain is Willoughby Way, which Compass real estate agents Heidi Houston and Doug Leibinger told Insider is considered the most sought-after street in all of Aspen.
A street sign on Willoughby Way. Monica Humphries/Insider
"Most people would tell you they think it's the Rodeo Drive, it's the Park Avenue, it's THE address in Aspen," Leibinger told me. "It's a pretty coveted address and location."
The entrance to Willoughby Way. Monica Humphries/Insider
"I would suspect that almost every homeowner on this street has two to five properties around the world," Leibinger said. "Most of the people that are here, they've also got a house in the Hamptons. They've also got something in Miami, in St. Barts, in Montecito."
A home on Willoughby Way. Monica Humphries/Insider
Leibinger explained that although the homes higher on Red Mountain are sometimes bigger and more expensive, Willoughby Way has a unique set of factors that appeal to potential buyers.
The last home on Willoughby Way. Monica Humphries/Insider
Namely, the street is within walking distance to the center of Aspen and still has breathtaking views of the mountains.
The view of Aspen Mountain from Willoughby Way. Monica Humphries/Insider
Currently, there's only one home on the road for sale — 287 Willoughby Way. And Leibinger predicts it won't be on the market for long.
The only home currently for sale on Willoughby Way in Aspen, Colorado. Monica Humphries/Insider
Source: Compass
I toured the five-bedroom, 6,130-square-foot home, which is currently listed at $27 million.
The view from 287 Willoughby Way in Aspen, Colorado. Monica Humphries/Insider
Source: Compass
Inside, it's filled with warm woods, floor-to-ceiling windows with mountain views, and a stunning fireplace — all elements I expected in a ski-town mansion.
The interior of 287 Willoughby Way. Monica Humphries/Insider
Source: Compass
After touring the $27-million home, I explored the rest of the street. While 287 Willoughby Way was what I expected from a rich ski town, other homes on the road embraced a myriad of styles and designs.
A home on Willoughby Way. Monica Humphries/Insider
Some homes were visible from the road, but most had private gates and towering trees for added privacy.
Many homes on Red Mountain have privacy gates. Monica Humphries/Insider
I also passed a $72.5-million home — Aspen's largest sale in history. In June, Patrick Dovigi, a former professional hockey player and the founder and CEO of the waste management company Green for Life Environmental, purchased the nine-bedroom, 21,477-square-foot home.
The exterior of 419 Willoughby Way. Google Maps
Source: Aspen Daily News
Willoughby Way ends in a cul-de-sac, and as I drove back toward Red Mountain Road, I soaked in views of Aspen and the curving trails from the ski slopes.
The view from Willoughby Way. Monica Humphries/Insider
Then, I hung a left and started crawling up the mountain.
The road zigzags up the side of the mountain. Monica Humphries/Insider
From here, the homes were tucked into the mountain and farther apart. Private drives jutted into forests, preventing any glimpse of the million-dollar homes.
A private driveway on Red Mountain Road. Monica Humphries/Insider
Down many of those roads were homes reported to belong to billionaires like candy mogul William Wrigley Jr. and casino magnate Neil Bluhm.
The view of Red Mountain from Aspen's Police Department building. Monica Humphries/Insider
Source: Forbes
One of the most popular names associated with "Billionaire Mountain" is Bezos. Bezos' parents Miguel and Jackie have a home on Red Mountain valued at $20 million in 2012, according to Forbes.
Jeff Bezos, left; Miguel and Jackie Bezos, right. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Gonzalo Marroquin/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images
Source: Forbes
Michael Dell of Dell Computers also has parents with a $10.5-million home in the neighborhood, according to Forbes.
Michael Dell at the Economic Club of New York. David Dee Delgado/Getty Images
Source: Forbes
While I didn't spot Bezos or any other billionaire, I did receive access to a private drive leading to one of Red Mountain's most lavish mansions.
A private road leading up to The Peak House Estate. Monica Humphries/Insider
Houston took me to The Peak House Estate, the highest residence on Red Mountain. It also happens to be one of the most expensive homes currently for sale in Aspen with a listing price of $44.5 million.
An exterior shot of The Peak House Estate. Hart Houston/Compass
Source: Compass
Filled with history and European design, it's a seven-bedroom, 22,000-square-foot mansion.
The interior of The Peak House Estate. Hart Houston/Compass
Source: Compass
From its indoor pool to the 12-car garage, the home oozed opulent luxury.
The Peak House Estate's indoor pool. Hart Houston/Compass
As we left, Houston casually rattled off the names of other billionaires living on Red Mountain.
A view of three homes in the upper section of Red Mountain. Monica Humphries/Insider
She pointed to a plot of land, and told me that tucked behind the growth was a mansion belonging to Leslie Wexner, the founder of L Brands, the company that owns brands like Victoria's Secret, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Express, Inc.
Not viewable from the road, Houston said Leslie Lexner has property on Red Mountain. Monica Humphries
There's also media mogul Byron Allen, who purchased a 9,000-square-foot contemporary mansion for $27 million in 2020.
Byron Allen's $27 million home on Willoughby Way. Monica Humphries/Insider
Source: Mansion Global
The list goes on and on. And after receiving just a glimpse of the properties on Red Mountain, it's clear how the neighborhood earned its well-deserved nickname of "Billionaire Mountain."
Red Mountain in Aspen, Colorado. Monica Humphries/Insider
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