Aspen Core

For years, Aspen was known primarily as a quintessential American ski town. Now, the secret is out: Aspen is a vibrant, year-round destination with an abundance of activities and attractions in all four seasons. These attractions span the entire valley, but at the heart of it all is Aspen’s Downtown Core.

History

The Aspen Core, covering approximately five by ten blocks, is rich in architecture, culture, and history. Much of this richness is rooted in the Silver Rush and the influence of Chicago industrialist Walter Paepcke and Bauhaus-trained artist Herbert Bayer, who both discovered Aspen in the 1940s. They invited Walter Gropius, the founder of the Bauhaus, to design a master plan for Aspen’s restoration and growth. Although Gropius declined, he famously offered this advice at a town meeting: “Restore the best of the old, but if you build, build modern.” This philosophy is reflected throughout Aspen’s core, where modern masterpieces sit alongside historic buildings that have been preserved for over half a century. Many of these historic Victorian exteriors conceal contemporary and modern interiors, a distinctive hallmark of Aspen architecture.

Currently

Today, the Aspen Core is a fusion of rich architecture, culture, and history, combined with modern amenities and luxurious residences. Restaurants and retail stores dominate most of Aspen’s street-level space, with top-tier hotels like The Hotel Jerome, The Little Nell, and the St. Regis offering world-class accommodations. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of dining and shopping options—just be sure to make reservations during peak season! The downtown core is also home to about 45 art galleries, including the Aspen Art Museum, designed by Shigeru Ban. This non-collecting contemporary art museum hosts international exhibitions as well as works by local artists, spanning drawings, paintings, sculptures, multimedia, and electronic media. The museum’s rooftop café, "farmer & chef," offers one of the best views in Aspen. While smaller condos are available for purchase throughout downtown, luxury penthouses and townhomes come on the market less frequently.

The Outdoors

At the center of it all is the Silver Queen Gondola, named after the Silver Queen—the largest nugget of silver ever discovered, found in Aspen’s Smuggler Mine. The gondola whisks you from downtown to the Sundeck atop Aspen Mountain, offering quick access to everything the mountain has to offer. In winter, enjoy breakfast at Bonnie’s, guided backcountry skiing and snowmobiling, freshly groomed runs (spanning 3,267 vertical feet), and hidden powder stashes if you know where to look. In summer, the Sundeck offers bluegrass music, mountaintop yoga, frisbee golf, hiking, camping, and more.

Aspen combines rich history, modern amenities, and unparalleled outdoor activities, making it the most sought-after, year-round mountain town in North America. Please find current listings in the Aspen Core below, and let us know how we can assist you!