The Gondola Lot Plan development is a step closer to fruition with approval of the overall plan from Breckenridge Town Council provided January 2010. The vision has been a collaborative effort between Vail Resorts Development Company (VRDC) and the Town of Breckenridge to ensure the last major development for Breckenridge will create an authentic “Breckenridge” story, staying true to the existing character of the town.
Adding the gondola was the first step in connecting the ski area and the town to provide a more integrated guest experience. Further enhancements in the Gondola Lot Plan, like adding a landmark building, creating in-town après ski in a downtown environment, enhanced vehicle and pedestrian connections, conference space and more convenient parking are the next phase in the integration and will continue to heighten the appeal of Breckenridge as a world-class ski destination.
Highlights of the Gondola Lot Plan may include a 162-room hotel, 42 condos/townhomes, 12,000 square feet of commercial space, two parking garages with 1,558 parking spaces and an expanded skier services/transit building.
Additionally, there are proposed public amenities such as an extension of the Riverwalk area’s paths and bridges and the creation of The Gondola Plaza. The vision of The Gondola Plaza serves not only to access the gondola but may offer such amenities as a children’s play area, an ice skating rink, outdoor seating and space for summer art fairs or outdoor concerts. Plans include a revitalization of the Blue River corridor and habitat to create a more natural river condition through landscaping and design. The Blue River is already a great asset to town and will be key in tying the entire new development together.
Aesthetic and sustainability are major components of the Gondola Lot Plan. Architecture should be a compatible style to that of downtown Breckenridge, but the character of each building may differ. The Mixed Use Building aims to be the closest visually to the South 100 block of Main Street. The Skier Services/Transit Building is proposed to represent traditional train depots of the west. The Condo Hotel Building will be designed to serve as an iconic landmark playing a major role in the Gondola Lot Plan and may mirror the style of a traditional downtown western hotel. Townhomes will be reflective of the look of the northern Main Street community and Parking Structures are intended to blend into their surroundings, lessening their visual impact.
The Gondola Lot Plan is expected to explore and use ways to reduce the environmental and carbon impact of the development. The town’s sustainability code will be adhered to for the overall plan.
The project’s location is a combination of properties generally bordered by Ski Hill Road, Highway 9, North Main Street and French Street, and additionally, the Gold Rush lot to the west of Highway 9. Vail Summit Resorts, Inc. owns the majority of the site. Other properties include the existing main town transit station and bus parking area, small parking areas and the Blue River Corridor owned by the Town of Breckenridge.
Now that Town Council has given the official approval, VRDC will move forward with greater detailed components of the plan, requiring more approvals along the way. VRDC intends to complete the development over the next five to 10 years as market conditions allow.
If you would like to stay informed of real estate opportunities as the Gondola Lot Plan Development progresses, contact your Broker/Partner so that we can keep you up-to-date on the latest news.
Source: VRDC & Town of Breckenridge
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