In Telluride, Colorado, the real estate market has long been divided between the historic town at the base of the mountain and Mountain Village, the purpose-built resort community a gondola ride over the ridge. Most full-service, ski-in, ski-out lodging is concentrated in Mountain Village, while in-town properties offer walkability but limited ski access. A new listing at Element 52 seeks to bridge that gap, bringing a rare combination of direct slope access and full residential service to a town address.
The property, Unit SW402, is a two-story penthouse atop the Southwest Building of Element 52, a 48-residence complex along the San Miguel River. Listed at $8.1 million, it spans 2,797 square feet across the top two floors, with three bedrooms, a bunk room, three full baths, and a half bath. Its layout provides the vertical separation of a townhouse, and it shares only five feet of wall with one neighboring penthouse and none with any other unit. The residence is offered fully furnished, with custom selections by design studio Tweed, and includes two heated, covered parking spaces, an elevator from the residence to the garage, and a snowmelt system.
What sets the penthouse apart is its access. A private funicular carries owners and guests from the building’s ski lounge to the Telluride Trail, eliminating the need for shuttles or walks to a lift line. The free gondola and Lift 8 are also a few blocks away at the Oak Street plaza. In summer, the same location connects to the San Miguel River trail, which leads to Town Park and its festivals. Main Street’s restaurants, bars, and galleries are within walking distance year-round.
“While it’s located in a full-service hotel, this unit lives like a single-family home on the slopes,” says Rick Fusting, the listing broker. The service component is extensive: a year-round front desk, ski valet, concierge for grocery stocking and dinner reservations, and a local car service. On-site amenities include a spa and two heated outdoor soaking pools.
The implications for Telluride’s real estate market are significant. Slopeside properties are often isolated in summer, while walkable in-town homes typically lack genuine ski access. This penthouse offers both, making it a compelling option for buyers seeking a year-round mountain home. It also highlights a growing trend: the demand for residences that function like single-family homes but come with the conveniences of a luxury hotel. As remote work and flexible lifestyles continue to shape buyer preferences, properties that can serve as both a winter ski retreat and a summer festival base may command a premium.
For Telluride, where land is limited and development is tightly controlled, the Element 52 penthouse represents a model that could influence future projects. It demonstrates that with thoughtful design and service integration, the traditional trade-offs between access, privacy, and amenities can be overcome. Whether it sets a new standard for in-town luxury remains to be seen, but it certainly raises the bar for what buyers can expect.
