(Photos: Pitkin County Assessor*)
76 Placer Lane in Aspen, Colorado closed in an off-market transaction for $91.3M/$6,813 SF. The property in on the first bench of Red Mountain and many consider this the best front row location in Aspen with stunning views overlooking the town in the foreground, direct in-your-face views of Aspen Mountain and 180 degree views of all major Aspen 14,000′ peaks and its four ski areas. It’s as close to ‘beachfront’ as exists in this mountain town. Properties like this are exceptionally rare and could not be replicated size-wise with today’s regulatory requirements. Superlative. Exemplary. The property is a 1-2 minute drive to downtown Aspen. The WSJ reports that the buyer is media executive Byron Allen, founder and CEO of Allen Media Group. (He had previously bought on 5/08/20 and sold on 8/29/24 ** a nearby property at 720 Willoughby Way for $60M/$6,867 SF furnished – a 2015 built and 2020 remodeled, 7 bedroom 7 bath/ 2 half-bath, 8,737 sq ft single-family home). The seller of 76 Placer, vitamin entrepreneur Andrew Lessman, initially purchased the 1.72-acre parcel as raw land for $10.5 million in 2007. Per Pitkin County Assessor records, the three-story, steel-framed residence measures 13,400 total heated sq ft with 10 bdrms/12.5 ba, apportioned into a 5,701 SF first floor, a 3,699 SF second floor, and a 4,000 SF finished basement. Completed in 2012, the house features a 939 SF heated garage, a 1,069 SF wood balcony, a home theater, a wet bar, steam showers, and a built-in multi-room audio system. Most major elements of the home are described as “superior” by the Pitkin County Assessor with the audio system categorized as “out of this world”.
Pitkin County Assessor Property Record
Poss Architecture + Planning designed 76 Placer. Their description: Built into a steep, 30-degree mountain slope, the property is a prime example of high-end modern mountain architecture engineered for complex topography.
Architectural & Design Features
Innovative Facade: The exterior of the home features StoneLite® Prado Travertine panels, natural stone panels cut horizontally to create a smooth, luxuriously modern look seamlessly integrated with natural wood and steel.
Massive Layout: The property size is 13,400 SF. A home this large could not be built today. Since fall 2024, house size in Pitkin County has been limited to 9,250 SF. Formerly, house size was capped at 15,000 SF. There’s a likelihood it will be further reduced to 8,750 SF sometime in 2026.
Site Engineering: The home features structural design by Poss, incorporating expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing to secure panoramic views of Aspen Mountain, specialized site water features, and custom stone stair walls.
*Bottom photo is from ColdSpringUSA – a natural stone quarrier, custom bronze and stone fabricator based out of Cold Spring, MN.
**07/09/24 as reported in Aspen Times: The $60 Million Real Estate Flip and 09.04.24 WSJ
The Purchase: In July 2020, the billionaire media mogul bought the contemporary mansion at 720 Willoughby Way for $27 million.
The Sale: In late Aug, 2024, Allen sold the property in an off-market deal for $60 million, more than doubling his initial investment.
The Reason: WSJ indicated he flipped the home simply because he was not spending much time there. (09.04.24 WSJ: Byron Allen Just Sold His Aspen Mansion for More Than Double What He Paid for It – – The media mogul’s home fetched $60 million in an off-market deal after he paid $27 million for the roughly 9,000-square-foot spread four years ago).
Property Highlights: Designed by prominent Aspen architect David Johnston and built in 2015, the mansion is located on Aspen’s exclusive Red Mountain area.
Size & Layout: An 8,737-square-foot contemporary stone house sitting on a 0.87-acre lot. It features 7 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms.
Interior Elements: Highlights include a grand entrance with 20-foot glass walls framing mountain views, dual fireplaces, and a hidden Bulthaup kitchen.
Allen’s Upgrades: During his four years of ownership, Allen heavily upgraded the home’s primary kitchen, lighting layout, and high-end audiovisual systems.
Outdoor Luxury: The grounds feature an outdoor heated pool, a snowmelt motor court, large terraces, and direct proximity to the Roaring Fork River.
Sales references
Prior Estin blog posts on Placer Lane sales -there are far fewer properties on Placer Lane hence more rarified, more exclusive, most prized.
Prior Estin posts on Willoughby Way sales – a highly prized lower Red Mountain neighborhood with stunning lower views, more flat acreage and in some case, walkability to downtown and Aspen Institute/Aspen Music Festival campus via the Rio Grande Trail. To some extent, Willoughby sales would be used reference comps for Placer Ln sales.
Estin Report: Placer Lane & Willoughby sales spreadsheet since 01.01.2020 – 06.01.2026
