Basalt, Colorado Custom Homes
Building at 80, Planning for 100
At 80 years old, most people aren't planning their next 20 years in a brand new home. But for one couple pushed out of Aspen by rising costs, building meant rightsizing their future. They envisioned a main residence with a fully equipped guest suite designed for the long-term rhythms of family life. The question: could anyone build it right?
The Challenge
Old Town Basalt presented every challenge: no room for semi-trucks, noise-sensitive neighbors, a demolition under scrutiny, and a complex design requiring both panelized construction and structural steel. The husband, a former IBM executive, had witnessed a friend's Phoenix Haus project go up in days. But could that speed and quality translate to a constrained historic neighborhood with a sophisticated two-building program?
The Journey
The shift happened watching their friend's home rise in days - panels, precision, performance they'd never seen. For a couple thinking generationally - "We're going to be here for the next 20 years," he kept saying at 80 - health features became paramount.
Old Town Basalt couldn't accommodate semi-trucks, so we adapted - delivering panels via pickup trucks and small trailers. Within one week, the 2,000-square-foot guest suite stood complete. Neighbors barely noticed. The couple visited daily, watching in disbelief. The builder had never seen new construction move this fast or this clean. As a result we were able to move the work indoors quickly, cutting noise and chaos.
The Result
Today, at 80-plus years, they're thinking ahead to 100. The guest suite allows family to visit for weeks in a space that feels like home. Energy performance exceeds expectations. The builder delivered five-star feedback. Even their architect neighbor acknowledged: "Your part went really fast." Displacement from Aspen became a masterclass in building for longevity.
The conclusion?
Building later in life shouldn't mean building smaller dreams.
We bring the certainty, quality, and health focus that legacy decisions require. Ready to build something that serves you now and endures for decades?