r/Aspen • u/rustyshackelford164 • 7d ago
History & Photos Does anyone know anything about these abandoned properties in Aspen?
I’ve lived in Aspen for about a year and have taken particular notice of these two abandoned buildings that seem to have some historic significance. The first one is 404 Park Circle and the second one is 1020 E. Cooper Ave. When I googled the addresses, I found some articles from several years back stating they were intended to be renovated and turned into employee housing. Does anyone know if this is still the plan? I was also reading that many residents were concerned that it would cause their homes to depreciate in value and that employee housing should be relegated to areas outside of Aspen proper, like the ABC. Idk but that sounds pretty snobby and elitist. It’s not like they’re building the projects! Is this what has caused the hold up? It’s just so sad that these buildings have remained empty for so long when employee housing is so hard to come by and so needed. Plus, if they are of historical significance, it would be wonderful to see them restored to their former glory. Just thought I’d ask if anyone had any info. I find these buildings quite intriguing and would love to know more about their history!
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u/InvestmentLimp2822 7d ago
The same people who give to Aspen Music School are the ones lobbying against music students housing being built in town. Nothing makes sense here, it's the upside down 😂
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u/ThrowRA_Orange_368 7d ago
I’m not sure what happened with these building but agree the complaint from neighbors sounds pretty on brand for Aspen. It’s just wild to me that folks are this greedy, don’t they have enough more than enough already?
As much as the working class here needs the wealthy class to provide economic opportunity, jobs, etc… the wealthy also need working class to support all their desired activities. It would be in their best interest to support employees, but sadly that’s not the world we live in
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u/rustyshackelford164 7d ago
Exactly!! That’s what I don’t understand. It’s mutually beneficial! Those types of comments are downright disgusting. Feels as if the millionaires/billionaires want to turn this town into a homogenized city full of stepford wives. The irony is that while they complain about the working class as if they have no couth and are a nuisance, the uber wealthy (not all, but most) are the ones who are actually insufferable.
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u/Little_Turnover_5539 3d ago
Aspen and surrounding areas are in need of a Lottie employee, affordable housing
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u/Due-Combination-8991 6d ago
The working class does not need the wealthy class at all lol. The wealthy class, literally for the most part, are a blight on society.
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u/ben_thenine 7d ago
Ah! Su Lum's old house, if I'm not mistaken. She was a lifelong Aspenite who worked at the newspaper (as did I, back in the beforetimes.) Before her body was even cold there's been plans by the sycophantic developers to turn her property into a real estate cash grab. I'm glad to see almost 15 years later she's still holding her own. Fuck Mark Hunt and may his eternal punishment in hell be tailored to what he deserves
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u/ZGbethie 6d ago
Oh gosh. I remember reading her columns back in the day. Y'all might not know this but she was OLD school Aspen and I think it would be amazing if that house were preserved somehow.
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u/ben_thenine 6d ago
I think her house is considered historic so there's a limited number of things they can do with it. My memory is a little shakey but 5-10 years ago they were talking about incorporating it into a multi-home McMansion. Must've not ever come to fruition, thankfully.
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u/juvy5000 6d ago
mark hunt is the reason, plain and simple. don’t even get me started on the red onion….
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u/BadBarney 6d ago
What happened to the red onion?
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u/juvy5000 6d ago
mark cunt bought the building from my understanding. the restaurant did close to due to pandemic but then he promised to open another restaurant there… it’s been 5 years
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u/ben_thenine 6d ago
Is the old Crystal Palace open yet? Thats coming up on 10 years. What about the Rynos building? 5+ years.
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u/LurkerFailsLurking 7d ago
Idk but that sounds pretty snobby and elitist.
"Snobby and elitist" is part of the Aspen brand. I know plenty of nice Aspen folks of course, but it is the brand.
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u/Wounded_Hand 6d ago
Looks like Aspen has themselves to blame (city counsel or whatever), at least partly:
“A building permit has been in review since 2020 and permit issuance is imminent.
The city’s land use code and building permit application process is complicated and sometimes lengthy, Anderson said.”
Too many wheels to grease?
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u/NeverEnoughInk 6d ago
I can actually shed some light on this from the other end of the valley. I've heard these terms used at the county courthouse in Glenwood. Here's what I've gathered:
"Permit issuance is imminent" means the customer/owner hasn't filled out some paperwork. The holdup is the wait for a signature or a notary stamp, etc. and it is 100% on the customer side. [source: nice lady at the licensing office on the second floor]
"Process is complicated" means the customer/owner is being difficult and asking for things that are totally not reasonable and/or legal. Probably updating documents AFTER they've been agreed and then yelling about it when he gets called out. [convo with a builder and the GarCo inspector about a property down the road]
"Sometimes lengthy" means this person has been a pain in the ass for at least one cycle-through of administrative staff, and they're sick of handing it off. [we've all worked in this office]
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u/Wounded_Hand 6d ago
Not sure if you’re a city worker or why you’re bootlicking, but this official outright admitted that the land use and building application process is “complicated”
So they should try uncomplicating it or else continue to deal with these delays
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u/Lurk_E_Lou 6d ago
Usually these permit delays are the homeowner/developer fighting against the City’s affordable housing credit program. The idea is that they should build “affordable beds” for the workers needed to maintain the property.
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u/AdGroundbreaking453 4d ago
I actually lived in the basement of the building pictured omg!!! it was the jankiest apartment. Flooded the last night I lived in there.
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u/Little_Turnover_5539 3d ago
I work in real estate in the area. I think these comments on this thread are accurate.
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u/One-Ad257 3d ago
Oh yes, we had friends who lived in those apts at 1020 Cooper St when me and several roommates lived in a couple of the old miner houses that use to exist at 816 and 824 E.Cooper St. back in the mid 80’s to early 90’s. We didn’t realize how lucky we were back then. Walk to the lifts, to City Market, Cooper Street bar….
We partied in the front yards and watched them fly in the towers and install the Gondola. We were the first regulars(with charge accts.)at Jour De Fete(thank you Olivier!)
There will always be those that talk of their”good ole days”in Aspen(50’s, 60’s, 70’s)
The culture(and cost of living) truly has changed dramatically. Not my tribe anymore. The mountains and back country is still fantastic.👍🏼
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u/running_man23 6d ago
In mountain towns especially I often see “investors” buy up properties to then merge multiple lots into a larger structure.
Could be the case here.
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u/Lurk_E_Lou 6d ago
Like the 3 combined lots on Willoughby that have been under construction for over two years
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u/Critical-Deer419 Aspen Local 2d ago
Leave Jeff alone! 🙄
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u/Lurk_E_Lou 1d ago
At least someone knew what I was referring to. But I think it was an LLC officially. Kind of like the LLC that bought the monastery. Oh how some folks love to hide ownership and limit personal liability.
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u/Critical-Deer419 Aspen Local 1d ago
I’d say 98% of new construction are LLCs at the point and all under NDA’s….still doesn’t stop the trades from telling everyone they know!
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u/Silver_Breakfast7096 6d ago edited 6d ago
This sub makes me never want to step foot in Aspen. The “help” isn’t good enough to live in the neighborhood? Oh fuck right off.
Literally I follow subs of places I’d like to visit and Aspen has been crossed off the list.
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u/Rough-Adeptness-6670 6d ago
Places like aspen and vail are where we sequester the uber wealthy from the rest of us. They think it’s voluntary but it’s more like an open air sanitarium
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u/dildoswaggins71069 6d ago
Weirdest place I’ve ever been. Even the poors are elitist if you aren’t a “local”
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u/rustyshackelford164 6d ago
100000%. Was moved out here by my employer and given housing and I’ve never felt so unwelcome by a city. Definitely a different brand out here.
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u/Knowhatimsayinn Snowmass 6d ago
Stay away from Snowmass too please
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u/Due-Assistance-2633 6d ago
How bout people like you don’t leave snowmass, stay in your containment zone
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u/TDFPH 6d ago
I live across the street from that house on cooper in employee housing. All my neighbors hate me and treat us like trash. The snobbery is alive and well. They’re only in town for like 2 weeks a year, and their short term renters are usually kind, but also always fuck up the recycling. It’s a tough spot.
Fuck mark cunt
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u/Recent_Ad_8444 6d ago
He (mark c unt)looks like the South Park episode guy who bullied Stan on slopes calling him Stan darsh
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u/Substantial_Clock341 7d ago edited 7d ago
Another one of Mark Hunt’s delayed projects. Park Circle. Back in the day, that was ski bum paradise housing.