Vail, Grand Timber partner at Peak 7

BRECKENRIDGE - The new base area at Peak 7 will be developed in a partnership between Vail Resorts Development Company (VRDC) and Grand Timber Lodge Development Company, according to documents filed with the town's planning department.

Grand Timber is under contract with Vail Resorts to purchase part of the private land at Peak 7, but some final contingencies of that contract are still pending, said Rob Millisor, who owns Grand Timber with his brother Mike and another partner, Mike Dudek. Until that contract is finalized, there are limits on what the partners can publicly say.

The Millisors began their Breckenridge development career with the 49-unit Gold Point complex on Mount Baldy in 1985, and then began selling interval ownerships in the 159-unit Grand Timber Lodge in 1998.

Breckenridge Mayor Ernie Blake said he is pleased with the pending deal, and praised the Millisor's involvement in the community.

"These guys give back. You don't see any nonprofit event or activity without Grand Timber being associated with it," Blake said.

Site-specific reviews of the developments began this week, with the planning commission getting a preliminary look at the plans. Grand Timber proposes a 96-unit condo/hotel on about 5.5 acres near the base of Peak 7, including about 2,310 square feet of commercial space and 6,680 square feet dedicated to skier-service facilities.

The two Grand Timber buildings would be located north of the Independence Superchair, cradling a mountain-front plaza in a semi-horseshoe shape. So-called beach-front areas would include a 2,000-square-foot cafeteria, outdoor grill and seating for the general public, as well as private use areas for owners, including a pool, hot tubs and play areas for children.

The VRDC component under consideration by the planning commission includes a 45-unit condominium lodge on 14.36 acres, with 500 square feet of commercial space and 2,500 square feet of skier-service facilities.

Both the Grand Timber and VRDC buildings will be five stories tall at the center, stepping down along the edges of the development.

The planning application describes the project as a compact village clustered around a mountain-front plaza, with a mountain-view restaurant and limited retail space. All the residential parking is located beneath the buildings, with 18 surface parking spots for commercial and employee needs.

The formal application before the planning commission indicates that the Peak 7 buildings will be developed in five separate phases. Grand Timber and VRDC are still working out the details of the specific services that would be shared between the neighboring buildings, as well as density allocations between the two partners.

According to a design narrative submitted by the Grand Timber project architects, the partnership aims to add time-share to the real estate mix, with the interval ownership adding a "hot-bed" component that helps create economic opportunities for the town.

Additional site-specific review is anticipated at upcoming planning commission meetings. The first phase of development at Peak 7 will involve utility placements and relocation of County Road 3, slated for this summer.



Bob Berwyn can be reached at (970) 331-5996, or at bberwyn@summitdaily.com.