Construction is in full swing for Elkhorn Springs.
The first phase of the multi-phase residential and commercial project to redevelop the site of the former Elkhorn Resort continues this spring with construction of major infrastructure, as well as commercial and residential structures.
Developers CG-Elkhorn, a Connecticut- and Chicago-based investment group, which includes Ketchum-based partner David Hennessy, are redeveloping the 11-acre site in Elkhorn Village.
The initial phase of development calls for two multi-story condominium buildings, six paired homes, a restaurant, a country store, a sales and information office, a golf clubhouse, parking, roads and landscaping.
The golf clubhouse will be Elkhorn Spring's first completed structure, scheduled to open in late June and coincide with the opening of the golf course. The 15,000-square-foot golf clubhouse is situated on the eastern side of the village. The clubhouse includes a restaurant, lounge, pro shop and administrative facilities.
Construction also includes major infrastructure work, including alteration of the service road, which previously met Elkhorn Road at the southern roundabout. It will be adjusted to meet Elkhorn Road north of the roundabout. Development of the site also includes alterations to the parking lot and landscape work.
"We are doing all of the site work so the clubhouse can open in June," Hennessy said.
Other major construction includes work that began last fall on two multi-story condominium structures, Hillside Terrace North and the Hillside Terrace South. Hillside Terrace North is situated between the Elkhorn Village Condo Buildings II and Buildings III at the northern end of the parcel.
According to Hennessy, workers completed the underground parking structure located under the building and recently began to frame the structure. The building is scheduled for completion in December 2005.
Progress has also been made on the second condominium building, Hillside Terrace South, located south of the Elkhorn Village Condo Buildings IV. Work has begun on the foundation and the building will be complete in the late spring of 2006.
Hennessy noted construction gains this spring with construction of the paired homes scheduled to start in the next 30 days. The paired homes include three buildings comprised of six luxury homes.
Elkhorn Springs opened reservations for the market-rate residential units in Phase One of the project in the summer of 2004.
"Everything that has been released for reservation has been fully reserved. Anything that will be available to be reserved has a lot of interest," said Debra Finch, a sales associate at Sun Valley Real Estate.
Elkhorn Springs also released a limited number of units planned for construction in the next phase of development.
"We sold 21 units in six days," Hennessy said.
Hennessy said a total 60 of residential units, ranging from $450,000 to $1.4 million, have been reserved. The company plans to hold off the release of additional units until next summer.
Construction expands this summer with plans to break ground on the country store and the restaurant.
This summer, Elkhorn Springs also hopes to present a design-review application to the Sun Valley Planning and Zoning Commission for Phase II of the project.
Warmer weather has enabled the Elkhorn Springs project to move ahead with construction. Photo by David N. Seelig
