A Home for Art in Sun Valley

Offered at $17.5 Million, a Private Mountain Retreat Infused with Understated Elegance and Pampering Amenities

KETCHUM, IDAHO – This extraordinary Sun Valley estate is in a class by itself with an architectural design that serves as an art space and center of family and social entertainment in a casually elegant style. Sited on an 18-acre wildlife preserve and only 10-minutes from world class skiing, the home pays homage to the vernacular of the American West by using local materials, including 100-year-old fir for the floors and siding. The design is true to its mandate to be enduring and timeless and perfectly executed by world-renowned architect Fredrick Fisher.

The seven-bedroom home boasts a dedicated art gallery and enormous wall spaces in the main living quarters, perfect to display contemporary art. These walls are raw plaster with plywood behind to hold art. There is gallery storage, as well. The entertainment features include a restaurant-designed kitchen, complete with walk-in refrigerator and freezer, rotisserie and pizza ovens, three wine cellars and two dishwashers. There are also two full wet bars.

This magnificent architectural statement is offered at $17.5 million by Tom Drougas of Sun Valley Real Estate, with global marketing services provided by Christie’s International Real Estate.

“While the home is notable for the way in which it effortlessly accommodates the most expansive of fine art collections, Fredrick Fisher’s design is a work of art in and of itself. The quiet sophistication of the architecture and the way in which the home is so perfectly integrated into its exquisite setting is nothing short of masterful. The attention to detail and array of amenities is beyond compare.” - Rick Moeser, Executive Director, Christie’s International Real Estate

Fisher, dubbed “L.A.’s Maverick Architect”, continues to command headlines for his work - including the restored Annenberg Community Beach House and Sunnylands new visitor center, where President Obama recently met with China’s President Xi Jinping. He also designs private homes, primarily in Beverly Hill and this one in Sun Valley.

“Architecture can get too enamored with space and shape and abstract forms. Architecture is not complete without people. It is also not frozen in time. Kids grow up, families change. Architecture stays relevant when it accommodates growth and change and next chapters.”
Frederick Fisher (Read More of his Interview)

Fisher worked in Frank Gehry’s six-person office in the early 1970’s and the Sun Valley estate reflects the Gehry influence but with Fisher’s signature touches, such as the interior courtyard, the strong indoor and outdoor flow, and his aesthetic to celebrate the genteel rather than the grandiose. What Gehry and Fisher still share is an appreciation to engage prominent artists in order to elevate architecture as an art form and as a venue to display art.

The windowpanes used on the front entry door, dry sauna door and divider doors are 100-year-old windows from England. They are referred to as “lights.” There are five Molesworth doors throughout the house. The doorframes were sized to fit the doors rather than cross the integrity. The black horse rail located at the kitchen door is also Molesworth. Garage doors open to the side rather than up and down.

The 18-acre parcel adjoins another 33-acre parcel also offered for sale. Both front the Bigwood River offering Blue Ribbon catch and release fly-fishing. There is ample room for those who might wish to have horses on the property. The habitat serves as a corridor for large herds of elk, families of moose, and Bald Eagles.

Sun Valley is a legendary mecca for athletics and art: Reggie Crist (his X Games gold medal is on display in the town’s historic Pioneer Saloon); Picabo Street (her World Cup helmet is mounted in the saloon, as well); and Ernest Hemmingway (who, in the fall of 1939, finished his novel For Whom the Bell Tolls while staying in suite 206 at the Sun Valley Lodge.)

The resort is poised to escalate to its next level. Besides accommodating private planes, the airport now has enough direct flights from select major cities to make it more accessible while still retaining its crowd-free reputation. A new terrain park, half-pipe, and ski- cross course are ushering in the next chapters.

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About Christie’s International Real Estate
Christie’s International Real Estate is an invitation-only affiliate network composed of the world’s most proven and qualified real estate specialists in the luxury residential sector. The company has offices in London, New York, Hong Kong, Moscow, Los Angeles, and Palm Beach, and approximately 135 global affiliates with 32,000 real estate professionals in 45 countries. For additional information, please visit www.christiesrealestate.com.