I
n the exclusive ski town of Aspen, Colorado, a sprawling estate that spans 300 acres is up for sale for $300 million. The property boasts a private artificial lake stocked with fish, endless hiking trails, and a luxurious pool. The sellers are billionaire philanthropists Stewart and Lynda Resnick, who made their fortune in agriculture and have donated hundreds of millions to institutions in Israel.
The Resnicks, aged 88 and 82 respectively, claim that maintaining multiple luxury properties is "just too hard." Their Aspen estate, Little Lake Lodge, features a main house with 18,500 square feet of living space, 30-foot ceilings, and walls made from local stone. The property also includes 18 bedrooms, a spa with saunas and hot and cold plunge pools, and an oxygen system to help acclimate to Aspen's high altitude.
The estate was designed by architect Peter Dominick, who drew inspiration from the historic Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park. Lynda Resnick enjoyed the construction process, while Stewart questioned the rising costs, leading her to bar him from the site due to his "sour attitude." Each of the 24 bathrooms has its own unique theme, and a custom computer program was developed to manage the estate's stock of silverware and napkins.
The compound includes guest cabins, an infinity pool that blends into the mountain views, and a swan-shaped boat made for the grandchildren. Every piece of furniture, antique or modern, is included in the asking price. The Resnicks have hosted prominent guests at their Aspen estate, including actress Diane Keaton and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
The $300 million asking price has raised eyebrows among veteran real estate brokers in Aspen, who describe the estate as a rare "unicorn" but say the valuation may be overly ambitious. Despite this, the Resnicks are well-known for their philanthropy, particularly in Israel, where they have donated millions to institutions such as the Technion and Reichman University.
The couple's success has not been without public criticism, with environmental activists accusing them of exploiting natural resources through their control of the Kern Water Bank in California. However, the Resnicks counter that they have invested heavily in environmental sustainability, donating over $1.3 billion to various causes.
