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For the week of June 28 through July 4, 2000

The Peaks, a new three-story commercial building is slated for construction on the old Louie’s Restaurant site this fall.

Two commercial buildings approved

New space for stores, offices and condos


By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

The Peaks, a new three-story commercial building is slated for construction on the old Louie’s Restaurant site this fall. Rendering courtesy McLaughlin & AssociatesTwo more large downtown Ketchum commercial buildings received final approval from the Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission Monday night.

The Peaks, a 21,995-square-foot, three-story structure slated for construction on the old Louie’s Restaurant site, gained approval after three public hearings before the P&Z. It will be used for retail stores and condos.

The Christiania commercial building, to be built on the site of the existing Christiania Lodge on Sun Valley Road, will be another three-story building consisting of 51,570 square feet. It will be used for retail stores, offices and condos.

The P&Z’s votes on both buildings were unanimous.

Both buildings are so-called pipeline buildings—that is, they were already under review before Ketchum officials enacted interim regulations on building height and bulk that would have precluded them from receiving approval.

The Peaks underwent a significant redesign, after the P&Z said its original design was not compatible with Ketchum. Originally, two large stone towers would have fronted on the Leadville Avenue and Sun Valley Road corner of the lot. The towers would have framed a three-story glass entrance.

The approved design calls for nearly 100 percent brick walls. Rustic timbers accent the building’s many balconies and terraces.

Additionally, the third floor of the building will be set back from the lower two levels to give the illusion of a two-story building.

Following the meeting, the building’s developer, Marshall Smith, said he’s pleased with the outcome of the city’s planning process.

"We liked the first design, but this design has really worked out well," he said.

Smith said it is his intention to begin construction before winter sets in, and to finish next fall. The building is nearly 100 percent pre-leased with letters of intent, he said.

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The Christiania commercial building received conditional unanimous P&Z approval two weeks ago, except for a corner, tower element that will face the corner of Walnut Avenue and Sun Valley Road.

Plan revisions eliminated the tower and topped the corner with a tall chimney, which satisfied the commission.

The Christiania’s developer, Jack Bariteau, said he will begin demolition on the old lodge in two to three weeks and begin construction of the new building this fall. He said he hopes to be finished by mid-November of next year.

The only dissenting voice at the meeting was that of Ketchum resident Mickey Garcia.

Garcia liked the designs of the two buildings prior to their review by the P&Z.

On the Christiania’s tower element, Garcia said the tower, rather than the approved chimney, was more appropriate for Ketchum.

Garcia called the building designs two more examples of "designed by committee" commercial buildings.

 

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