AVON — When development began to roar through the Vail Valley, the tornado of construction and development of high-end resorts and restaurants skipped this town and went from Vail to Edwards.
Now Avon, which sits directly between its two more high-end neighbors along Interstate 70, is experiencing the beginnings of what some predict will become a development boom. It has been started by the $500 million development of the Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, the first of its magnitude in the town just 8 miles from Vail.
“There is still significant ski capacity for additional skiers here,” said Chuck Madison, partner at East West Partners, the developer of the project. “Because Edwards became so popular, Avon was surpassed. I think the resort brings quality to Avon. We’ll see a great renaissance in Avon over the next 10 years.”
The 19-acre site sits on the banks of the Eagle River and will connect Avon with Beaver Creek Mountain via a new gondola called the Riverfront Express. The gondola will take mountain-goers from the hotel to Beaver Creek Landing. The gondola is scheduled to open to the public Dec. 20.
The Westin Riverfront is scheduled for a July opening.
Triggering more growth
Avon officials see the development as a catalyst for growth in Avon. Town Manager Larry Brooks said he has received more calls in the past six months about development and opportunities in the town than he did in the previous six years.
“It’s the first salvo in what we hope is raising the development bar in the core area of town,” Brooks said. “The development is raising property values. It’s motivating people to have conversation with us about redevelopment, and there is a lot more interest in buying up vacant parcels and developing.”
Brooks credits the City Council for creating the excitement by upgrading the town’s comprehensive plan and creating the Avon Urban Renewal Authority this year.
At the Westin Riverfront, the developer created a 5-acre park and deeded it for open space. The bike path that runs along the river will take a rider 45 miles east to Breckenridge, and the town is planning to install a kayak park nearby.
The development is also being built with many environmentally friendly design elements, including recycled rubber tires for the roof, low-toxic paints and carpets, and native plants. It costs 3 percent to 10 percent more to build green, but Madison said it’s worth it.
The wholly owned hotel offers studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom units for purchase. Owners can choose to enter their units into the hotel’s rental pool. The units range from $350,000 to $2.5 million, said Andy Gunion, project manager.
“This will set the tone for what happens next in Avon,” Madison said.
Big hopes for vacant lot
The hotel will feature ski valet service, a full spa, on-site physicians, a wedding lawn and the new Watermark restaurant run by well-known Vail Valley chef Thomas Salamunovich. He will also plant a half-acre garden to grow organic vegetables.
The introductory rates next ski season will be around $250 a night on the low end, said Bob Trotter, general manager.
“This is an opportunity to emulate other towns with ski resorts such as Telluride or Crested Butte,” Trotter said. “You go into town to play. It becomes a more authentic experience.”
Planning for the project began nearly four years ago when East West bought the property from Vail Resorts and chose Westin as partner. Construction began in July 2006. Before this project, the site was vacant for 15 years while occasionally serving as the site of the Beaver Creek Rodeo.
Elizabeth Aguilera: 303-954-1372 or eaguilera@denverpost.com
