1440 Alpine Ave. Boulder
High End Green Home Steps from Ideal Market
$1,265,000 | August 2012
This stunning, contemporary home is the creation and collaboration of Boulder’s finest, most visionary craftspeople. With a terrific location, one block from Ideal Market, abutting a secret bike path that leads straight to 14th & Pearl (the core of downtown) this property epitomizes the Boulder lifestyle. Enjoy the open floor plan, large light-filled rooms, fantastic views of the Flatirons and a huge south-facing back yard. Employing renewable, sustainable, non-toxic materials, the best in energy-efficient systems, and high-end interior design – this home is comfortable, beautiful and GREEN!
Total Square Footage: 3378 square feet
Main Floor: 1323 square feet
Detached Garage: 576 feet
Lot Size: 10,938 square feet
Bedrooms: 3 | Full Baths: 3
Assessed Value: $1,350,000
Taxes: $3357.62
Architect Corey Nielsen, in cooperation with owner/builder Mick Follari, designed a home that hints at the distinctive grain elevators of the West. The exterior is a combination of 120 year old reclaimed Spruce wood siding, stucco and hand-etched corrugated GALVALUME (galvanized steel with aluminum). The interior design by Carol Musick balances stylish modern elegance with warmth and thoughtfulness, artfully continuing the complementary exterior concepts in every detail inside. The home boasts 4-zone radiant floor heating powered by a 99% efficient on-demand hot water system. Domestic hot water – the largest energy consumer in a home– is provided by a state-of-the-art evacuated-tube solar thermal system, backed up by the on-demand boiler when needed. In the past year, the back-up system kicked in only once!
The spacious, light-drenched open dining, kitchen and family room boasts 10’ sliding doors to a southern-facing deck. The kitchen has top-of -the-line stainless appliances, warm Red Dragon granite island, quartzite countertops and custom-built White Oak cabinetry. On the second floor are 2 large bedrooms with shared bath, and a 600 sq. ft master suite, all with outstanding views. The master features a private deck and beautiful bath outfitted in understated luxury and showcasing some of the finest views of the Flatirons in Boulder, from bed or the 2-person soaker tub and glass-enclosed shower that make one feel as if one is outdoors. Suspended White Oak custom cabinetry complements the masterful artisan tile work. The third floor is simply awe-inspiring; a large open room with panoramic birds-eye views can be used simultaneously as guest space, office, entertainment center, and playroom. The large adjoining south-facing wraparound deck needs to be experienced to be fully appreciated.
CUSTOM SOLAR designed and installed the 4.6 kW Photovoltaic System. At a relatively high use rate of 500 kW hours per month, this system will offset 100% of the annual usage of electricity. However, if the usage is lower, this home is a mini-power plant selling power back to the grid and resulting in a year-end check to the owner by Xcel, the local energy provider.
The flooring consists of artisan-poured concrete on the main floor, a combination of wool carpet, porcelain tile and NAVARRE white oak on the second floor, and on the lofty third floor, reclaimed 7-inch wide-plank Spruce lends even more character to a room dominated by the stunning views. The main floor exterior decks are Brazilian Redwood while on the 2nd and 3rd floors, ECOPAVERS sleek modern-looking rubber creates a soft, cushiony and durable deck made of recycled tires. The jewel in the crown of this home is the gorgeous reclaimed (now extinct) American Chestnut used on the stair treads and handrails of the stunning 3-story wood, glass, and steel staircase. Completing the unique beauty and artisanal integrity of this home is the lighting, fixtures, cabinetry, tile work, steelwork, and woodwork and other fine finishes painstakingly designed by Carol Musick.
The landscaping in this unusually large lot is a work in progress as we await warmer weather to plant flowers and grasses to supplement the hardy shrubs and trees selected by landscape designer Cristina Baud. The inviting front yard is accented with handcrafted steel-bordered flowerbeds, a large mature Maple tree, and newly planted English Oak trees and cranberry bushes. The southern-facing back yard is designed to maximize year-round indoor/outdoor living with a large deck and big lawn, perfect for playing and entertaining. The steel flowerbeds are also used here to delineate vegetable and flower gardens. Newly planted Lilac and Buckthorn form a boundary along the perimeter of the property.
The large 2-car garage with room for workshop and/or gear is a rare amenity in this downtown location. Plus the shed-like structure created by the solar array provides extra storage for bikes, strollers and garden/lawn equipment.
