Aspen’s $300 Million Crown Jewel: The Most Expensive Home Listed in the U.S.
A sprawling 74-acre estate in Aspen, Colorado has claimed the title of America's most expensive residential listing at $300 million. The property, known as Little Lake Lodge, represents a new pinnacle in luxury real estate pricing.
California billionaires Stewart and Lynda Resnick listed their Aspen retreat – click here to view listing. The couple, who co-own The Wonderful Company, purchased the land in the early 1990s and developed it into an extraordinary mountain estate.
The timing reflects broader trends in ultra-luxury real estate, where billionaire buyers continue pushing price boundaries in premier markets like Aspen, the Hamptons, and Beverly Hills.
Property Details and Features
The Little Lake Lodge encompasses 19,500 square feet of living space with 18 bedrooms and 20 full bathrooms, plus four partial baths. The estate includes entitlements to build an additional 19,500-square-foot residence, effectively doubling the potential living space.
Key features include:
- Private six-acre lake with an 80-foot infinity pool
- 45 parking spaces across the property
- Three additional homes beyond the main lodge
- Extensive trail system for hiking, cross-country skiing, and biking
- Location just one mile from downtown Aspen
The property sits at 161 Stillwater Road, positioned along Highway 82 toward Independence Pass. This location provides privacy while maintaining proximity to Aspen's cultural and recreational amenities.
Peter Dominick, the architect who designed Disney World's original Wilderness Lodge, created the main residence. The design draws inspiration from National Park Service lodges built during the 1920s and 1930s, featuring tall windows and wooden ceilings that complement the alpine setting.
Market Context and Pricing
The $300 million asking price significantly exceeds Aspen's previous residential record. The current high-water mark stands at $108 million, achieved in 2024 by a property purchased jointly by billionaires Steve Wynn and Thomas Peterffy.
Colorado's luxury market has shown consistent strength, with Aspen's median listing price reaching $3.7 million in July 2025, representing a 13.1% year-over-year increase. The median sold price sits at $1.9 million, still far above national averages. Because of areas like Red Mountain or better yet known as “Billionaire Mountain”, Aspen prices remain elevated.
Mandy Welgos, the listing agent, attributes the exceptional pricing to several factors: the assembled four-parcel assemblage, private lake access, existing home with expansion rights, privacy features, and comprehensive recreational amenities.
If sold at asking price, the transaction would surpass the current U.S. record held by hedge fund manager Ken Griffin, who paid $238 million for a Manhattan penthouse in 2019. The sale would also eclipse a $285 million spec home currently listed in Florida's Manalapan.
The Sellers: Resnick Empire
Stewart and Lynda Resnick have built a $12.6 billion fortune through The Wonderful Company, America's largest citrus grower and a major tree nut producer. Their agricultural empire includes popular brands like FIJI Water, POM Wonderful pomegranate juice, and Teleflora flower delivery service.
The couple's vast California farming operations consume approximately 150 billion gallons of water annually, making them influential players in the state's water management system. Despite recent controversies following Los Angeles wildfires, their water holdings were not connected to firefighting challenges.
Beyond agriculture, the Resnicks have committed over $2.5 billion to philanthropic initiatives. They founded the Aspen Institute's Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies and donated $10 million for wildfire relief efforts.
Lynda Resnick told the Wall Street Journal that maintaining three luxury properties became "just too hard," prompting the Aspen sale after completing a new Santa Barbara residence.
Market Implications
I personally view the listing as indicative of continued demand for trophy properties among ultra-high-net-worth individuals. One could describe the estate as "one of the most influential properties and the ultimate gauge of the real estate market’s strength”.
The property has already attracted multiple interested parties since listing, according to the listing agent. Some say the estate could continue appreciating given Pitkin County's restrictions on home sizes, limiting future supply of comparable properties. This will be one to watch!
Looking Ahead in the Aspen Market
Industry observers expect the ultra-luxury segment to remain active as wealth concentration continues among billionaire households. Properties offering unique combinations of privacy, amenities, and prestigious locations command premium pricing.
Aspen's appeal extends beyond skiing, encompassing year-round cultural events, dining, and outdoor recreation. The town's limited development capacity and natural beauty constraints support long-term value appreciation for existing luxury properties.
The Little Lake Lodge sale, when completed, will likely establish new benchmarks for mountain luxury real estate nationwide. Similar trophy properties in other premier markets may adjust pricing expectations accordingly.
For Aspen specifically, the transaction reinforces the destination's position among global luxury real estate markets, competing with established enclaves in the Hamptons, Napa Valley, and international locations like the French Riviera.
If you’re interested in the Aspen luxury real estate market, please contact me today – I’m here to assist and guide.
