White Deer Valley Estate—the Rocky Mountains’ Exclusive Hidden Gem

Nestled deep between the outcrops that edge the most easterly foothills of Denver, Colorado‘s Rocky Mountains, White Deer Valley is a gated community so exclusive that many of those local to the area are unaware of its existence. “Even people who live nearby hardly know about it,” says Rollie Jordan of Christie’s International Real Estate in Denver. “You could call it a well-kept secret.”

It’s here you’ll find White Deer Valley Estate, a 27-acre (11 ha) property at the heart of which sits a spectacular contemporary home. Built into the rugged mountainside, the four-bedroom, seven-bath house was designed by architect Kathy Eichelberger Jones at ArchStyle, who worked closely with the current owners to harness the potential of this extraordinary location.

I’ve developed designs that showcase our Rocky Mountain vistas, but hadn’t worked on anything so organically—Kathy Eichelberger Jones

“I met them in 2001 having been referred by a stonemason to do some work on their then-residence,” says Eichelberger Jones. “That developed into remodeling the house, so when they called asking me to take a look at a new project, of course I said yes.”

The result is a 10,515 square foot (977 sq m) home constructed with remarkable precision, so as to maximize the breathtaking views White Deer Valley is known for that stretch out in all directions. “We plotted sight lines towards game trails, to the red rocks, and to the Denver skyline,” says Eichelberger Jones.

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“I then sketched diagrams aligning the points of interest,” Eichelberger Jones continues. In the past, I’ve had the good fortune of developing designs that showcase our Rocky Mountain vistas but hadn’t worked on anything so organically and with such precise radial focus. It gives a whole new meaning to ‘view corridors’ within the design. We also wanted to be organic with materials, so we used slate, marble, granite, and zinc, as well as exotic woods such as Brazilian cherry, mahogany, and bird’s-eye maple.”

Approaching the residence through subalpine vegetation, the sweeping driveway leads to a heated circular forecourt that defies even the heaviest Colorado snowfall, while the arched slate roof is designed to echo the mountainous backdrop. Enter through the handsome walnut door and the space opens out into the two-story great room, which, with its soaring mahogany ceiling, Brazilian cherry floor, and lofty glass pocket doors, is the central hub of this light-filled property.

Connecting to this area via a double-sided fireplace is a custom Bulthaup kitchen with a generous 15-foot (4.5 m) island, a breakfast bar, maple cabinetry, and top-of-the-range appliances. “The current owner is a true gourmet cook, and I’m not talking about just for the holidays or the occasional dinner party,” says Eichelberger Jones. “She prepares incredible meals on a regular basis and does a lot of entertaining, so we maximized the space, created storage including lift-and-hide panels for small appliances and pantry goods, and incorporated every available appliance into a flawless layout.”

Leading off this space is a large patio with a sleek outdoor kitchen for alfresco dinners and drinks under the stars. The formal dining room, also adjacent to the kitchen, opens on to another separate terrace.

Tucked into the north side of the building is a two-story office with a slate fireplace and Brazilian cherry cladding. From here, double French doors open on to a Zen-inspired patio, an outdoor shower, and a sauna carved into the rock wall. A waterfall tumbles down the hillside, while steps lead up to a stone-and-steel gazebo, at the center of which sits an impressive firepit. “This terrace offers the most wonderful view,” says Jordan. “It’s the perfect place to sit with a glass of wine, to watch the sunset, and see the lights of Denver come up.”

Also on this level is the principal bedroom with a coffered mahogany ceiling, cove lighting, a private deck with expansive mountain and valley panoramas, and another double-sided fireplace that warms the adjoining sitting room. A steam shower, a free-standing tub, and a dressing area with a center island and skylight all feature in the suite’s sumptuous bath.

Head downstairs and a large sitting room, a state-of-the-art home theater, and a full wet bar are accompanied by an 800-plus-bottle wine cellar, which has oak barrels, library ladders, and atmospheric flickering gas lanterns. There are also a gym, a recreation room, and three further bedroom suites.

“These all sit at ground level,” Jordan says, “which means they’re still full of natural light.” The entire build, including the four-car garage, is warmed by in-floor radiant heating.

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Beyond the sandstone walls and terraces, the plot is scattered with native plants and trees such as sculptural Gambel oaks, western cedar, juniper, scented pines, and succulents. There are wild apple and plum trees, too, descendants of those planted by the pioneers who established orchards in the valley between 1880 and 1900. As a result, wildlife is plentiful, with elk, deer, foxes, and many birds—among them hummingbirds, red-tailed hawks, and even golden eagles—paying the property a visit throughout the year.

“Surrounding this holding are 13,000 acres (5,261 ha) of uninterrupted open space,” notes Jordan. “There are gorgeous trails and parks for hiking, biking, and even snowshoeing, so it’s ideal for people who love the outdoors. For someone who appreciates exceptional design and quality materials, as well as privacy and a beautiful setting, White Deer Valley Estate is an unmissable opportunity.”

Banner image: A view over White Deer Valley Estate’s firepit on to the surrounding valleys and mountains