When Roxie Weed, husband Rick and their teens moved from Tamarac to BackCountry in Highlands Ranch last year, there was a moment when, she says, she suddenly felt astonished. “One night, I looked down the street and it seemed more like Vail Village,” she recalls now. “It hadn’t hit me that this is where I live; it’s like I’m at a resort.”
You can experience that today as nobody has before. Today Highlands Ranch developer Shea Homes opens its spectacular Sundial House at BackCountry – a private retreat for residents that’s a launch pad for exploring an 8,200-acre wilderness on the master-planned community’s southern ridge. Canyon Catering will be preparing some back country concoctions (taste a ‘Summer Solstice,’ a ‘Windmill Mojito ice tea,’ or a salted ‘South Rim’) in the lavish ‘Pike’s Pub’ bar.
Bring your bike, and you’ll also get something only residents will get next week: a day pass into 467 acres of private South Rim wilderness, with six miles of trail that link to 20 miles beyond. When I got a peek last week, the Weeds and their kids were having a family debate over which trail is best. (Son Alec won out–the BackCountry Loop, 3.5 miles from Sundial House that crests a ridge to the east.)
All of this is tucked behind a private gate, kind of like swanky golf communities have…but very different. “To have this quality of wilderness amenity in a semi-urban setting is extraordinary,” Shea Vice President Jeff Kappes told me. “This is an outdoorsy buyer, and we believe they will make the choice to stay home, to experience the Colorado outdoors there, rather than having to drive.”
Of course, those outdoor types also get a view-swept pool club with resort pools, lap lanes and ‘hot springs’ sculpted into a hilltop. You may meet Lifestyle Director Donny Price (he leads hikes and bike trips, and sets movie nights in the Amphitheater)…and see five series of homes, most with ranches and main-floor masters, including Shea’s ‘Spirit Trail’ series from the $6s (some are on a third acres) …”Shadow Walk” and low-maintenance “Whispering Wind” villas from the $4s…and new, attainable Richmond American models from the mid-$3s.
Everything’s wide open (only rails or no fence allowed)…with walk-outs available. Can you wait on this? Maybe not; this is already the fastest selling area over $500,000. “We’re already selling well,” says Shea’s Kappes, “and as the market turns, it’s going to get much stronger.” Sundial’s open house is 11-2; head south on Broadway from 470 2.8 mi., past Wildcat Reserve Pkwy; to Discovery Center on left.
If you go…
WHERE:
Grand opening, Sundial House at BackCountry, Highlands Ranch; private club along 8,200-acre wilderness; 5 series luxury homes; ranches, main-floor masters, walk-outs, custom sites, back-country beverages by Canon[MIKE INSERT NUNYO N) Catering. Tours start at Discovery Ctr; from 470 take Broadway south 2.8 mi., past Wildcat Reserve Pkwy
PRICE:
Luxury homes from mid-$300s-$700s; customs from $1.2M
WHEN:
Grand opening 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., models open 10-6
PHONE:
720-344-9600
WEB:
