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This monthly State of Luxury & Lifestyle Catalog is a reflection of Luxury Portfolio Magazine’s high-end publication and Forbes Global Properties’ Storied articles that immerses readers in the world of luxury and lifestyle, with a particular focus on Real Estate, Design, Travel, & Lifestyle.
This magazine is a celebration of the luxurious lifestyle that accompanies them. From gourmet dining and top-notch entertainment to luxurious spa experiences and world-class shopping, Luxury Portfolio Magazine showcases the finest offerings in luxury living.
Hobby ranches, farms, and eco-estates are on the rise as luxury buyers return to the land
Picture yourself on an outcrop of rock overlooking a wide alpine vista. The sun’s corona scorching the snow, the exhilarating air whistle-sharp and clean… Look down across the sweep of the white valley, past the brush of the green-tipped pine trees, and here you stand among the heights of wellness. So let’s talk real estate investment, shall we?
Expansive green spaces are capturing the hearts of those yearning to put down roots a little closer to the land. Beckoning acreage-living’s call, homebuyers are increasingly opting for hobby ranches and farms. As it turns out, these spaces have the potential to lengthen life spans, forge connections with nature, boost mental health and boast, among other things, unfettered views of star-studded skies. “This lifestyle means, after a long day of work, knowing you are coming home to gorgeous sunsets, fresh air, mountainous landscapes, incredible swimming holes, space, privacy and access to nature at your fingertips” shares Georgie Haug, a real estate agent at Belle Property in Brisbane, Australia. “The draw to hobby farms is being able to enjoy the nature and space you can on a traditional farm, whilst not being as isolated and relying on your farm to produce.”
By choice or circumstance, humans have lived rurally for much of our history. Being able to self-supply resources was, at one time, a necessity. However, in the present era, it’s become normal for people to go an entire day without touching grass or their whole lives without ever growing their own food. It took a worldwide health crisis to remind many of the perks that the slow-paced lifestyle can offer. “During COVID, families began to imagine what their lives would be like if they expanded outside of cities to a more fresh, country lifestyle,” says Krista Coleman, partner and luxury realtor with Coleman Real Estate at Amherst Madison in Boise, Idaho. “Part of this reason was safety in lower-density populations, but it also became a time when families began to dream about the possibilities of living a more fulfilling life in a more remote country setting since work and school became remote options for so many.”
Flexibility is a major point of emphasis for those looking for an eco-estate: “Elbow room, fresh air, space and freedom,” are huge draws, according to Ms. Coleman. Peace and quiet has become another. “The draw lies in its unparalleled luxury and privacy, coupled with its extensive amenities and breathtaking natural surroundings,” says Nancy Almodovar, president and CEO of Houston-based Nan and Company Properties, of hobby ranch life. For Andy Kurtz, a composer, record producer and former cowboy, his time working on ranches in Idaho and Nevada continues to shape him as a person. He believes they teach a strong work ethic and provide a feeling of accomplishment.
Still a strong proponent of the lifestyle, he says that he finds it “incredibly healing” and a “therapeutic environment that supports mental and emotional well-being.” “Without the restrictions of city life, you experience a sense of autonomy and personal space on a ranch,” Mr. Kurtz, who currently lives in Idaho, explains. “When I wasn’t working on the land, I read and listened to music. My time on the ranch was the beginning of my love for music” Ms. Coleman shares his enthusiasm, having lived on a 400-acre ranch in Idaho with her family when she was a young girl. “The tranquility of ranch life is unmatched,” she gushes. “The open spaces and clear night skies bring a sense of calm and serenity.”
Read more on LuxuryPortfolio.com
Who could have seen this coming? Ski guides and snow lovers maybe, who in the mid-20th century were excited by the increasing popularity of winter sport. They understood what reliable snow in a glorious landscape could mean. They loved the land, the sport and the lifestyle, and they were betting that others would too.
One of those people was the late Rodney Slifer, who came to Vail, Colorado’s largest ski resort, in the early days. The skier and realtor grasped that what he was selling was a way of life. In the Denver Post’s obituary, But as mountain resorts have grown in popularity, seasonal boundaries have disappeared. In the post-pandemic world, wealthy baby boomers and some fortunate digital nomads alike realized the vacation pace of life could become their year-round lifestyle. Resort towns respond to buyers expecting the conveniences of urban living, and that prompts something of a shift in architectural style. In the early days, North American resorts copied the European alpine aesthetic, dotting the mountains with A-frame chalets and log cabins. Now new-builds in resorts gravitate towards the contemporary catchall of “mountain modern” with million-dollar views, floor-to-ceiling windows, open-floor designs and spacious decks with pools and hot tubs. Looking for Manhattan up the Matterhorn? The message reads Mountains are cool, but don’t take my urban comforts away.
Slifer was credited with “61-plus years of relentless service to Vail the town, Vail the ski area, Vail the global mountain escape and Rocky Mountain state of mind.” People talk of his community-first ethic. And that, we might extrapolate, is the first habit of success if managing real estate in the close-knit conditions of mountain life. Today, his daughter Adi Slifer, who grew up in Vail and is now a broker associate with Slifer, Smith & Frampton Real Estate, feels the same way. “People think it’s such a bubble when you’re in Vail,” she says. “But it’s a melting pot, full of so many people from all walks of life.” How people respond to that sense of community is the prism through which locals observe as incomers arrive. Real estate makes money, and the mountains have their own measure too.
Architecture is functional, but it’s also about telling a story. We design spaces that gradually reveal themselves, creating an experience. The story depends on the project – whether we’re keeping stress out of a family home or generating excitement in a lively restaurant. I’m most excited when a client has a strong vision. It’s our job to translate that into the architecture.
Read more on ForbesGlobalProperties.com
Explore the full State of Luxury & Lifestyle magazine, where we celebrate the opulent lifestyle that comes with these exceptional listings. Read our February issue now at SliferFrontRange.com.
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