Grand Lake, CO (December 2010) – Fuller Sotheby’s International Realty and broker Kerry Endsley are pleased to announce the sale of the historic Grand Lake Lodge in Grand Lake, CO. The property, which includes a main lodge building and 116 cabins on 54 acres of land, sold to Grand Lake Ventures, LLC. The seller was Estes Park Chalet. The property has only had two owners during its rich 90 year history, with Grand Lake Ventures becoming the third. The Lodge is registered as a National Historic Landmark.

Historic Lodge Built in 1919

Breathtaking view from the Grand Lake Lodge

“Grand Lake Lodge has often been referred to as ‘Colorado’s most famous front porch’ and it has welcomed everyone from Presidents and VIPs to everyday people who enjoy a vacation in Colorado,” said Endsley. “It was built in 1919 in a fantastic Colorado setting, overlooking Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Lake, with backdrop views of the snowcapped Continental Divide. The Lodge is a special place that is near and dear to many people’s hearts, and it will enjoy another great century under the ownership of its new caretakers.”

Grand Lake Lodge closes December 2010

According to Mr. Endsley, the new owners plan to operate the Lodge in the same manner and it has been throughout most of its 90 year history. Cabins will be updated and available for rent, the restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, there will be performances in the Lodge and outdoor activities will continue to abound. Future additions could include a conference center, hotel/spa and other capital improvements to better position the property for vacationers and others who want to enjoy the property. Plans are also underway to keep the Lodge open year round, opposed to just the months of May through September (which have been the previous dates of operation).

Mr. Endsley had been showing Grand Lake Lodge to potential buyers since 2007 and estimates more than 300 prospects had toured the property. While the asking price had been reduced due to market conditions, Endsley says that everyone was satisfied with the final sale price.

“Given the current economy, and the total lack of financing for resort properties, the price for Grand Lake Lodge was still a good one in the end,” said Endsley. “It will continue to be a great destination resort, nestled in one of the most spectacular settings in Colorado, and the world.”

The Lodge has been owned and operated by the same family since 1953 and is located in the Town of Grand Lake, above Grand Lake, Colorado’s largest natural lake and the headwaters of the Colorado River. The 54-acre property is surrounded by the Rocky Mountain National Park and has been open as a lodge since 1919, when entrepreneur Roe Emery built the lodge, cabins and outbuildings out of lodgepole pine from Trail Ridge Road. Over the course of the lodge’s history, Henry Ford (founder of Ford Motor Company) and his family owned a cabin on the property. Today, the property features a restaurant, gift shop, heated swimming pool, playground, picnic area and volleyball/basketball court. Over the years it has been used as a venue for events such as company parties, family reunions and numerous weddings.

About Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC

Founded in 1976 to provide independent brokerages with a powerful marketing and referral program for luxury listings, the Sotheby’s International Realty network was designed to connect the finest independent real estate companies to the most prestigious clientele in the world. In February 2004, Realogy Corporation, a global provider of real estate and relocation services, entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby’s, the operator of the auction house. The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby’s International Realty name and the development of a full franchise system by Realogy’s subsidiary, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. Affiliations in the system are granted only to brokerages and individuals meeting strict qualifications. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC supports its affiliates with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational and business development resources. Franchise affiliates also benefit from an association with the venerable Sotheby’s auction house, established in 1744. For more information, visit www.sothebysrealty.com.

From his list Denver was #9.

9. Denver-Aurora, CO

Top 10 Cities to Move to

Denver-Aurora also scored points for stability and affordability – and because it has a very attractive downtown.

The city has a lot to offer in the way of arts – not just museums but also a lot of public art. Plus, it’s one of the few cities that has teams from four major sports – the Denver Broncos football team, Colorado Rockies baseball team, Colorado Avalanche hockey team and Denver Nuggets basketball team.

Plus, the city is surrounded by some of the highest mountain peaks in the nation, making for sweeping vistas and an outstanding array of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking and skiing. Aurora is an eastern suburb of the city, with a lot of shopping and cultural events, plus it has more than 1,800 acres of park land, at least a dozen golf courses and a 200-acre nature center.

The unemployment rate is 7.4 percent, below the national average of 10.2 percent. Indeed ranks it as the No. 11 job market, with two job seekers for every job available.

Companies That Are Hiring Now: Raytheon, Kaiser Permanente, HCA, HealthONE and Deloitte, according to Indeed.com.

Read about Best Places to Live in Evergreen, Colorado

Can luxury estates truly be ‘built green’? That is the question Colorado-based C&A Companies recently explored on behalf of its 16-site estate community, Tessa Mesa, in Castle Rock, Colo.

C&A Companies’ findings determined that not only is sustainable living feasible in Tessa Mesa, it’s likely possible at no or very little cost premium. The site’s natural characteristics make it innately conducive to sustainable features such as solar power, wind power, geothermal generation and other ‘green’ alternatives not typically found in luxury homes or estates.

“Tessa Mesa meets all the physical needs required for self-sufficiency in energy production as well as a large number of other sustainable features,” said Tom Coalson, C&A Companies’ Vice President of Commercial & Sustainable Construction. “This community offers an unparalleled opportunity for the upscale homeowner to take advantage of virtually every available sustainable design feature to reduce the carbon footprint of their home.”

Located in Douglas County just 15 minutes southwest of the Denver Tech Center, Tessa Mesa is a 600-acre gated development comprising 16 estate lots ranging in size from 35 to 41 acres. Its topography offers a unique mix of rolling hills, scenic buttes and open meadows atop a vast mesa that reveals head-on views of Rocky Mountain peaks. Tessa Mesa is bordered on the north by more than 600 acres of open space that includes an expansive trail system for recreational use. Most of its estate lots, which start at $695,000, have expansive, ready-to-build sites that make them ideal horse properties or family estates. Zoning allows for a primary residence and up to 2 guest houses, a barn and other outbuildings such as a sports pavilion.

Coalson noted the importance of hiring a builder who understands the art of offsetting cost premiums of green building. This can be done in part by applying more efficient construction means and methods, knowing what government tax and financial incentives are available for green-built homeowners and taking C&A Companies’ “zero-energy” design a step further to build an “energy-plus” home that actually produces more power than it consumes.

According to C&A Companies’ sustainable research team, it is possible that a Tessa Mesa estate, if built according to sustainable guidelines and standards, could reach zero-energy consumption or even “energy-plus” status.

“We anticipate that by utilizing 21^st Century building techniques, energy consumption for these homes can be half that of similar luxury homes, continuing to enhance the all-natural standard of living,” said David Pretzler, Principal of C&A Companies. “With the advantages offered by this Front Range location, a significant portion if not all of each home’s energy needs can be met by onsite electrical generation.”

As of early February, 8 sites within Tessa Mesa are available. Those who purchase a Tessa Mesa site may elect to contract one of C&A Companies’ custom builders who are proficient in green-building practices or may work with their own pre-approved custom builder.

C&A Companies seeks to be among the first Colorado companies to develop a profitable yet cost-effective business model that will meet the market demands for green-built homes in a range of prices and architectural styles. The 15-year-old company was recognized in 2006 by INC. Magazine as No. 239 on its list of the 500 fastest growing, privately held companies in the United States, and made the list again in 2007. To learn more about C&A Companies, visit www.cacompanies.com.

To learn more about Tessa Mesa, visit www.TessaMesa.com or call 303-570-0267.