Rolex Of Homes: A Swiss-Designed Breckenridge Masterpiece Raises The Bar On Luxury

Swiss "chic" luxury like nothing ever seen before in Breckenridge
Swiss design goes hand-in-hand with the snow-strewn slopes of Breckenridge, Colorado. (Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate)

Jeremy Fischer has been building homes in Breckenridge since he founded Ivan Stanley Fine Home Builders in 1997. When he says, “I’ve never seen anything like this before,” he knows what he’s talking about.

Over the last year, Fischer and his crew have become intimate with Le Mayen, a Swiss-designed masterpiece home located on the last available site in Timber Trail, a ski-in/ski-out luxury subdivision in the Peak 8 area of Breckenridge. “If you compare this to conventional American construction, it almost makes what we do look like second rate,” Fischer says. “There is nothing else like it.” Most of the materials, from the centuries-old reclaimed wood and Norwegian natural stone slates to the handcrafted fixtures and handmade forged hardware were imported from the Swiss Alps.

The open plan interiors of the spec home will blend reclaimed woods with modern elements.

The open plan interiors of the spec home will blend reclaimed woods with modern elements. (Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate)

While eight-figure homes are commonplace in neighboring mountain town communities like Vail, Aspen and Telluride, Le Mayen will command a record-breaking listing price for Breckenridge at $18,999,000. The 7,595-square-foot, six-bedroom, six-bathroom home was designed by noted design group Chalissima.

“Every room is a 10 out of 10,” says Michele Hart, Broker Associate for Slifer Smith & Frampton, the leading independent real estate brokerage firm in Summit County and exclusive real estate partner on the project. “This house is going to blow everything else away.” Hart, who is the co-listing agent with Jim Schlegel, traveled to Verbier to visit Chalissima’s warehouse and to better understand the inspiration for the house. “I wanted to see it from the source – this rare Swiss craftsmanship. It’s incredible,” she says.

Widely known in European circles, the Swiss design firm has continued to popularity in Colorado and other U.S. locations since 2016. Chalissima has curated an assortment of rare reclaimed wood unlike anything in the world, with an inventory of more than 5 million board feet stored in a 120,000-square-foot warehouse in Switzerland. “Our specialization is alpine design in the purest tradition with some modern and creative adaptations,” says Bertrand Vaudan, Chalissima CEO.

High ceilings with heavy support beams add volume in the dining room.

High ceilings with heavy support beams add volume in the dining room. (Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate)

Vaudan says this house is inspired by the traditional Swiss Alpine mayen, the chalet style mountain cabins that date back almost 300 years, some of which still exist or are dismantled and harvested for wood. A far cry from a cozy cabin, this modern interpretation includes a large spa with an ornate Turkish steam room, game room, wine cellar, and three levels of outdoor living. “We integrate modern and contemporary design details and features influenced by the various European design styles that are slightly different, and perhaps richer than the American design style,” Vaudan says.

The home features intricate handcrafted detailing throughout reminiscent of the Swiss Alps, from the Norwegian natural stone roof tiles and elaborate hand-carved wood detailing to the hand-painted stenciled walls in the bedroom suites. Reclaimed hardwood is generously used on walls and floors, with vaulted ceilings flanked by heavy timber support beams, timber framing unlike anything Fischer has seen before.

The cozy lounge and game room features a fireplace and a bar.

The wood-enclosed lounge and game room features a fireplace and a bar. (Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate)

“The framing alone is wonderfully substantial. The walls are 8 inches thick and each of the common studs is literally a timber. As we were putting the finishes in and the core started to disappear, I felt remorse that a buyer won’t be able to see it, but when you walk through the house you can feel it. It’s so quiet, and dense, and substantial,” Fischer says. “When the brokerage community confronts me to substantiate the value, I tell them they don’t even know what they’re selling because there’s no other house like it.”

Beneath all the old-world charm and style is top-of-the line modern technology and lighting. “The Swiss mountain modern style is so chic and so traditional, but it’s over-the-top modern in others,” says Jim Schlegel, Broker Associate, SSF. “Even something as simple as the canned lights are $800 a piece.” 

Adjoining decks and fireplaces are among some of the features of the home's six bedrooms.

Adjoining decks and fireplaces are among some of the features of the home’s six bedrooms. (Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate)

On top of the value of the house is the location. “What’s special about Timber Trail is they have a private shuttle and access to all the amenities at One Ski Hill Place. It makes you feel like part of the resort area. It’s elite resort homeownership at its finest,” Schlegel says.

Currently under construction, the home is expected to be completed in summer 2022 but is currently listed as a spec house. “It is risky. We want it to be a showcase,” Vaudan says. “The price seems high, but the quality, authenticity and the typicity of this house make it unique, a real standout in the market.”

Completion of the nearly 7,600-square-foot home is expected this summer.

Completion of the nearly 7,600-square-foot home is expected this summer. (Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate)

One room that exemplifies the uniqueness of the property is the hammam, a Turkish-style steam room in the spa. “We build plenty of steam showers, but this is more like a spa you’d find in a resort. There’s a shower, sauna, steam room, bathroom, and lounge, but what’s really special is there’s a plastered ceiling we painted black and fiber optic LED lights that make it look like a night sky.”

From the quality to the authenticity, this masterpiece home truly is shooting for the stars.

Written by Aspen-based freelancer writer Ali Margo. For more information about the property, visit summitcountyrealestate.com.

Author

Related