DENVER, CO – LIV Sotheby’s International Realty (LIV SIR) is proud to announce that Elaine Stucy has closed the highest-priced residential sale in Colorado Springs. 14065 Highway 83, also known as Southard Star Ranch, sold last week for the incredible price of $6,700,000.
The amazing estate, which was awarded as the runner up for The Wall Street Journal’s House of the Year in 2019, is set on 54.9 vast acres surrounded by gorgeous landscaping, a babbling brook, meadows and majestic views of Pike Peak and the Rocky Mountains.
This expansive home, totaling 14,653 square feet, embodies the best blend of classic Colorado aesthetics. Elaborate stonework and the incorporation of nature into the design, such as the stream that runs throughout the property and the mature foliage that encompasses the grounds, make this estate truly remarkable. The rustic-feeling of the estate even features a duck pond and chicken coop complete with four Plymouth Rock hens which were conveyed with the purchase of the home.
“When you walk up to the front of this house, you’re standing on a covered deck, listening to the calming sound of the stream running right by you and underneath the bridge that is part of the home. The entry is shaded by pine trees and there are bountiful flowers everywhere. It just gives you a wondrous feeling. Even just standing at the front door and being surrounded by that setting makes you feel at peace. You get this feeling of ‘Wow, I’m home,’” said Stucy.
The pastoral setting gives the property the feeling of being worlds away while still having the convenience of nearby shopping, dining and entertaining in Colorado Springs.
“Just one of the many benefits of his home is that it is very private. It’s set back on the property so that you can’t see the home from the road. If you didn’t already know it was there, you would never know. But it’s still very convenient to the local golf courses, shopping and anything else you might want to go and do,” mentioned Stucy.
The house itself is a marvel of design and architecture. Influenced by Pennsylvania Dutch style, the interiors of the home are grand yet unpretentious with reclaimed antique chestnut floors, solid beams, iron railings and Venetian Plaster walls.
“For as grand as this home is, it still feels comfortable,” explained Stucy. “It has the easy-living feel of a ranch and yet it has all of the elegance and drama one would expect from a luxury home. It's just a beautiful, comfortable home.”
There is no shortage of entertainment options on the property. This home is perfect for year-round entertaining with its formal dining room for special occasions or outdoor kitchen and downstairs wet bar for more casual get-togethers. Children can spend hours playing outside in the pirate ship-themed treehouse while parents hang out in a club house of their own.
“This home had the ultimate man cave that they called the ‘Rod and Gun Club’ which was separated by a breezeway from the house and had a fireplace, full kitchen and bar, as well as a bunkhouse for overnight guests.”
The buyer, who came from out-of-state, was captivated by the home immediately. Having explored from afar via the extensive collection of photography and the video tours used to market the property, they flew in to tour the estate and claim Southard Star Ranch as their own. With homes of this magnitude, building and executing a marketing strategy tailored specifically to the needs of the property is pivotal.
“From the photography and videography to the brochure and the visual assets – these really helped sell this home. This home garnered more than a million views online. The imagery was spectacular,” exclaimed Stucy.
For the sellers, positioning the home and taking extra care to advertise it in a way that would connect with luxury homebuyers was of the utmost importance. By creating a strong presence in the media, Stucy and the LIV SIR marketing team were about to give the listing the national press exposure it deserved. The home was highlighted in publications from the Denver Post to The Wall Street Journal, giving consumers across the country the chance to ogle this ranch-style masterpiece.
“The sellers really wanted LIV Sotheby’s International Realty to sell their home because of what we, as a brand, bring to the table. They knew that we would represent this home to its greatest potential and with discretion,” said Stucy. “I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to sell this home. I feel very humbled by this experience because I know that no matter how great you are, without a great home to sell and without wonderful sellers and other cooperating brokers, we would never get a transaction like this to the table.”
As LIV SIR prepares to open the doors of its first Colorado Springs office later this fall, this record-breaking sale certainly helps the firm make a strong entrance into the community. Colorado Springs has so much to offer consumers looking for a place that is as lively as it is beautiful. The addition of the Colorado Springs office represents an exciting opportunity for the firm to better assist homebuyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals in this thriving community.
“Colorado Springs is becoming one of the most attractive cities in Colorado,” commented Stucy. "It’s large enough to have the amenities that people want while offering more subdivisions with larger lots and reasonable prices – and people really like that, especially right now. The city is clean, provides access to the southern mountain ranges and really is just beautiful. I predict that more people from Denver will start to consider Colorado Springs as an option when they go to invest in real estate moving forward.”
The sale of 14065 Highway 83 proves the growing demand for luxury homes in Colorado Springs. To learn more about this sale or to find your own incredible home, contact Elaine Stucy by calling 303.660.0801. For all of your real estate needs, contact LIV Sotheby’s International Realty by calling 303.893.3200 or visiting livsothebysrealty.com.