Houston Natural Gas Magnate Puts Aspen Ranch Up For Sale For $220 Million
ASPEN, Colo. – (By Dale King, Realty News Report) – Natural gas magnate Charif Souki and his family developed their 800-plus acre Aspen Valley Ranch in the snowy hills of Colorado. Now Souki has put the extravagant scenic venue on the market for the tidy sum of $220 million.
The Lebanese-American 67-year-old entrepreneur is putting the Aspen spectacle into the hands of a couple of well-heeled real estate salesfolks – his son, Chris, a global luxury specialist for Coldwell Banker Mason Morse, who grew up and learned the ropes of the trade in the Aspen area, and Coldwell Banker luxury ambassador Carrie Wells.
Situated on more than 800 acres of eye-appealing mountain terrain, this family retreat is surrounded by elegant evergreens, winding trails and rugged hills that are often frosted with snow.
“We let the land and historic structures dictate the overall aesthetic. In developing this with my children, we each had the opportunity to express our individual creativity while keeping true to theme,” said Charif Souki. “This ranch has been in existence since the late 1800s and we believe that our vision enhances and preserves its historic legacy.”
Souki has quite a track record in the Houston energy business. Souki founded Houston-based Cheniere Energy and after leaving that firm in 2015 he founded another Houston natural gas firm called Tellurian Inc.
Aspen Valley Ranch combines a refined interpretation of western ranch-style living with the best amenities and accommodations associated with a first-class resort.
Set behind a gated entry, Aspen Valley Ranch encompasses more than 60,000 feet of improvements including some 34,397 SF of residential property with eight custom homes, complete with 31 beds, 31 baths and five partial baths, just under 14,000 SF of common facilities and more than 10,000 SF of operational accommodations.
In addition, the ranch has more than 80,000 SF of residential development potential. The property includes full infrastructure with irrigation, water treatment facility and extensive water rights.
Designed by Michael Fuller Architects and Poss Architecture, the compound comes with state-of-the-art technology controlled by a Savant system.
Less than 10 miles from the center of Aspen and 8.3 miles from the Aspen Airport, the compound features various recreation facilities and amenities: a pond with a dock for swimming, fishing and launching stand-up paddleboards, miles of outdoor trails for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, dirt biking, mountain biking, four-wheeling and horseback riding.
“I fell in love with this land the minute I saw it and agreed to purchase it immediately without having a precise idea of what to do with it,” said Souki. “My children and I have spent the last 15 years in the Aspen area acquiring or building more than 100,000 SF of property.”
“At Aspen Valley Ranch, we saw the opportunity to add an exceptional property to our portfolio, building a family compound with the best quality in mind.”
The community features a 3,500 SF ranch house with a dining room for up to 14 people, commercial kitchen, multiple entertaining areas, open theater, wine room, a dining room with a custom chandelier designed by French sculptor Eric Schmitt, wood and gas burning 12-foot-wide fireplace, a full exterior kitchen, large covered patios and an exterior gas fireplace with built-in benches.
The historic barn offers roughly 2,000 SF more of entertaining space, complete with arcade games, table tennis, pool table and an eight-person bar. Downstairs, the nearly 2,000 SF garage provides ample room to store snowmobiles, four-wheelers, dirt bikes and other recreational vehicles.
The 2,500 SF gym/pool house unites a 25-yard pool, steam room, full weight room, his and her locker rooms with showers, and a hot tub concealed by a retractable floor. The horse barn includes eight horse stalls, one wash bay, a tack room, feed room, expansive round pen and riding arena.
“All of us now more than ever are seeking ways to remain healthy and surrounded by loved ones,” said Chris Souki. “Few if any other properties in the world can offer this combination of space, luxury, privacy and amenity.”
Wells added: “Aspen Valley Ranch offers the best of both worlds: unbridled luxury and Colorado adventure.”
The ranch is listed by Coldwell Banker Mason Morse Real Estate