Aspen Grove Retreat
Hand-split Vermont slate on Aspen's most distinguished address
Location
Aspen, CO
Completed
2021
Roof Area
6,100 sq ft
Home Size
8,500 sq ft
Bedrooms
7
Bathrooms
8
Elevation
7,900 ft
Duration
22 weeks
Project Overview
The Aspen Grove Retreat is an 8,500 sq ft estate on Red Mountain that required a roofing material worthy of its $18 million price tag. Hand-split Vermont black slate was selected for its timeless beauty and 100+ year lifespan, making it the most prestigious roofing project in Alpine Peak's history.
The Story
David and Catherine L. are art collectors who divide their time between Manhattan and Aspen. Their vision was a home that felt like a European country estate transplanted to the Rockies — with the craftsmanship to match. Every detail was curated, from the hand-forged iron railings to the imported Italian marble. The roof was no exception. They specified hand-split Vermont black slate, sourced from a single quarry to ensure color consistency across the entire 6,100 sq ft roof surface. Alpine Peak sent a team to the quarry in Vermont to personally inspect and select the slate before it was shipped to Colorado.
Architectural Design
Master bathroom suite with freestanding soaking tub, dual-head walk-in shower, and heated floors
Interior Highlights
The master suite occupies the entire east wing with a private balcony overlooking Aspen Mountain. The bathroom features a freestanding Waterworks soaking tub, a walk-in steam shower with dual rain heads, heated Calacatta marble floors, and a custom double vanity with vessel sinks.
Project Specifications
Roofing Details
Each slate tile was hand-selected and sorted by thickness before installation on a reinforced roof deck designed to support the 15 psf dead load. Copper flashing, valleys, and ridge caps were custom-fabricated by a master coppersmith. The installation followed traditional English slate-laying patterns with graduated courses — thicker slates at the eaves transitioning to thinner slates at the ridge. All fasteners are copper ring-shank nails.
Key Features
- Hand-split Vermont black slate from single quarry
- Custom copper valleys, flashing, and ridge caps
- Traditional English graduated course pattern
- Reinforced roof framing for 15 psf dead load
- Copper ring-shank nail fasteners throughout
Challenges & Solutions
The sheer weight of natural slate required structural reinforcement of the roof framing — an additional $180,000 in engineering and materials. Each slate tile had to be individually inspected for soundness by tapping (the 'ring test') before installation. The 22-week timeline was the longest single-roof project in our history, but the result is a roof that will outlast the next three generations.
"We've built homes on three continents. Alpine Peak's attention to detail and respect for traditional craftsmanship is on par with the finest European artisans we've worked with."
— David L., Homeowner
