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Downtown Aspen

Downtown Aspen

Neighborhood in Aspen, Colorado

Pitkin County 81611

$4,204,171 Average Value
$1,688 Average Price per Sq Ft
124 Homes For Sale

Ski resort meets historic downtown

Through its ski resort, its dozens of culinary and artistic venues and its vintage storefronts, Aspen’s historic downtown expresses the city’s vibrant culture. This Wild West boomtown-turned-skiing mecca and stronghold of counterculture blends resort-style living with upscale dining and shopping scenes. Though this neighborhood is full of multimillion-dollar homes, plenty of smaller and seasonal properties make Aspen living accessible for prices well below the city average of $3.5 million. With the peak of Aspen Mountain just a short gondola ride from the center of the neighborhood, Downtown Aspen is where resort recreation meets trendy living.

Aspen's snow-dusted pedestrian lanes invite scenic winter strolls.
Aspen's snow-dusted pedestrian lanes invite scenic winter strolls.
Aspen Mountain looms over a bustling ski village below.
Aspen Mountain looms over a bustling ski village below.
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Feeling a "Rocky Mountain High" at Downtown's resort and parks

Downtown is home to the Aspen Mountain Ski Resort, known to locals by its former name “Ajax.” The Silver Queen Gondola connects skiers with the summit, which offers commanding views of the town. This mountain is busiest between December and March when it gets the bulk of its 12 feet of snow, and it doubles as a destination for hiking and jogging during the summertime. During the autumn, Colorado’s colorful nature is on full display. There's also the John Denver Sanctuary, a small nature preserve named for the legendary singer-songwriter who was also a longtime resident. The Director of Visitor Services with the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, Diana Morrissey, says, “The whole park is just beautiful, full of big rocks with the words to his songs. There are five or six songs, maybe, and it’s right along the river. It was a trash dump before a man from the city called John’s widow, Annie, and asked if she’d like to have a memorial. She didn’t like the word ‘memorial,’ so they chose ‘sanctuary’ and created it.” The city also celebrates him with “John Denver Week” when free musical performances are held in the park every October. “People from around the world come just for that," Morrissey says. You can listen to the songs and his words kind of flow by, but, when you stand there, those words go into your being.” Wagner Park serves as Aspen’s main green space, serving as a dog park, a play area for children, the host venue for the annual “Ruggerfest” rugby tournament and even the starting point for the Aspen Valley Marathon.

Aspen Mountain looms over a bustling ski village below.
Aspen Mountain looms over a bustling ski village below.
Aspen Mountain’s iconic logo greets visitors at the heart of the ski experience.
Aspen Mountain’s iconic logo greets visitors at the heart of the ski experience.
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Fine dining around every corner

Downtown Aspen’s late-19th-century storefronts are today lined with fine dining restaurants, hotels and boutique shops. PARC Aspen, opened in December 2022, has quickly risen to be one of Aspen’s highest-regarded restaurants, serving fine dining dishes like halibut and steak frites in its bar, contemporary fine dining room and private dining room. Next to the ski resort gondola, Ajax Tavern specializes in elevated French and American fare while offering clear views of the ski slopes. High real estate prices and corporate competition have caused many longtime establishments like Jour De Fete and Mezzaluna to close, even as Downtown continues to produce a roster of popular, high-end eateries. Groceries are easy to come by in Downtown, which is home to a City Market grocery store and pharmacy as well as a “Saturday Market” farmers’ market and the artisanal Meat & Cheese Restaurant and Farm Shop.

Inside Clark’s Oyster Bar, guests enjoy drinks and fresh seafood in a warm setting.
Inside Clark’s Oyster Bar, guests enjoy drinks and fresh seafood in a warm setting.
Sway Thai delights with bold flavors and a chic atmosphere in downtown Aspen.
Sway Thai delights with bold flavors and a chic atmosphere in downtown Aspen.
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Timeshares and year-round residences in Downtown

Though Downtown Aspen is primarily a hub of the hotel and restaurant industries, this neighborhood is also full of timeshare, condo and townhouse options. Timeshares can sell for between $17,000 and $685,000, depending on a variety of factors. Less expensive homes may offer shorter fixed-week stays at the Aspen Mountain Ski Resort, while pricier options may include guaranteed access to the resort during its most popular months and regular housekeeping. Most year-round condos and townhouses were built from the 1960s to the 2010s, and prices tend to range from $775,000 to $12 million. These properties vary from small downtown studios to vast, 4-bedroom and 5.5-bathroom Craftsman homes with mountain views. Fully detached homes fetch the highest prices, ranging from $7.3 million for a ranch-style home to $48.8 million for a palatial, 7-bedroom Midcentury Modern residence.

Modern condos offer stunning views of Aspen Mountain in a snowy setting.
Modern condos offer stunning views of Aspen Mountain in a snowy setting.
Residents enjoy walking through Aspen's neighborhoods under a fresh snowfall.
Residents enjoy walking through Aspen's neighborhoods under a fresh snowfall.
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Skiing champions and innovative students at Aspen High School

Aspen Elementary School receives a B rating from Niche, while Aspen Middle School and Aspen High School each score A-minuses. Aspen High School takes pride in its ski-oriented location, and its student athletes - called the “Skiers” - have scored nearly twenty skiing championships in both the boys’ and girls’ categories. Students can apply their creativity through extracurriculars like the Aeronautics Club, the Robotics Club, Debate Club and even an “Earth Group” dedicated to gardening.

Rotating artwork and performances at local artistic venues

The Aspen Art Museum, located at the heart of Downtown, invites members of the public to visit its rotating exhibits free of charge. Past exhibits include Andy Warhol’s original silkscreen paintings and relics from the ancient city of Pompeii. Just two blocks south of the museum, Belly Up Aspen hosts similarly diverse artistic performances in the form of touring DJs and singers. The Wheeler Opera House, founded in 1889, features operas, film festivals and comedy acts in its Victorian halls.

Vibrant lights and beats electrify the crowd at Belly Up in downtown Aspen.
Vibrant lights and beats electrify the crowd at Belly Up in downtown Aspen.
The Aspen Art Museum showcases contemporary creativity amidst mountain views.
The Aspen Art Museum showcases contemporary creativity amidst mountain views.
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Getting around Aspen

With its flat terrain and its bus network, Aspen is easily navigable by foot, car and public transport. The Rubey Park Transit Center runs several bus lines that shuttle Aspenites throughout their small city and to its four ski resorts. Level streets create opportunities for brisk strolls through Aspen’s late-19th-century downtown. The Aspen Valley Hospital is just a 2-mile drive from the heart of Downtown at Wagner Park.

Downtown Aspen’s efficient public transit system keeps the community well-connected.
Downtown Aspen’s efficient public transit system keeps the community well-connected.
Buses at Rubey Park Transit Center keep Aspen connected year-round.
Buses at Rubey Park Transit Center keep Aspen connected year-round.
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Jacob Adelhoch
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
Eli Tye
Photography Contributed By
Eli Tye
Joey Kaigler
Video By
Joey Kaigler

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Annie Baldo, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Aspen-Pitkin County/Sardy Field

10 min drive

Bus

Main St & Galena St

Bus

Main St & 2nd St

Bus

Spring St & Durant Ave

Bus

Main St & 4th St

Bus

Gondola

Bus

Main St & Spring St

Bus

Main St & 6th St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Aspen US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 7 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$787,500
Median Single Family Price
$235,000
Median Townhouse Price
$17,500,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$500,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$80,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$1,688
Number of Homes for Sale
124
Last 12 months Home Sales
172
Months of Supply
8.70
Median List Price
$600,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
9%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-44%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
3,018
Median Year Built
1982
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,120
Above the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
3,066
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,085
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
625
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
308
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Annie Baldo, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
2,348
Median Age
44
Population under 18
17.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$110,103
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$156,156

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.4%
College Graduates
65.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
18.2%
% Population in Labor Force
77.2%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
24''
Average Winter Low Temperature
10°F
Average Summer High Temperature
75°F
Annual Snowfall
127''

Area Factors

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score®

95 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

83 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Reviews

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Aspen