The most expensive real estate purchase of 2023 in Pitkin County just took place. The 10-bedroom, 12-bathroom compound at 730 S. Galena Street was originally listed at a whopping $100 million last year. With over 14,000 sq ft, 1.4 acres of pristine land, and slopeside access to Ajax Mountain in Aspen, it’s no surprise to see a property like this sell for such a gargantuan amount of money.
The property was sold by Detroit manufacturing mogul and philanthropist Joel Tauber and his relatives to an unknown buyer. According to property records, Tauber purchased the ski-in, ski-out house from media mogul Ted Field in 1996 for just over $9 million. He listed the property in June of 2022, and the sale was made official this week. The Roaring Fork Valley, and Aspen specifically, has long served as one of the nation’s most expensive real estate markets, and this sale illustrates this reality. The mansion is one of 5 single-family homes on Aspen Mountain, one of many contributing factors to why this property holds such extreme value. The 3 story abode holds over 5,000 feet of deck and patio space alone, larger than the entirety of most single-family homes in America. With a fresh renovation that took place in 2015, it possesses a modern feel that offers a stark contrast to the centuries-old mountains it is surrounded by. It also serves as a true ski in ski out property, as it is situated just west of the Lift One area on Aspen Mountain.
Aspen has long been considered to be a “playground for the rich,” and this reputation doesn’t look like it is going to go away for quite some time. The town has gone through many different phases in the last century and was once considered a haven for the counterculture where eccentric author Hunter S. Thompson was even once nearly elected as Pitkin County Sheriff. However, luxury development and sky-high costs of living have become a reality since the 1980s, and sales at prices such as this will likely continue into the future.
