ROOMS WITH A VIEW

 Every time I drive up Main Street these days, I can’t help but think these Aspen folks know what they’re doing. Because the new Limelight Hotel simply dominates the frame. It has already become the entry marker to town – the ‘there’ there – overtaking Elizabeth Tenney’s town entrance signs and the police department (leave it to Mammoth to showcase a police department as the first building you see on your entrance to town) as the true signal that one has arrived in Mammoth. 

This past Tuesday, I had a chance to tour the hotel on-site with Limelight Residences Sales Director Nikki Elmore and Project Senior Superintendent Vince Pickles of the PENTA Building Group (Las Vegas). 

While the hotel won’t open until next December, ten of the fifteen exclusive private residences (one top floor, five-bedroom, 3,500-square foot unit selling for $6.55 million) have already sold. 

The first five residences were offered in March, 2024. And sold out in eight minutes. 

Overall, the first ten buyers bought on the strength of the brand – they bought on faith. They’ve seen renderings, but not actuals. 

Lunch saw actuals. 

These folks have good instincts. And, of course, a few bucks to spare. 

One five-bedroom, three four-bedrooms and one three-bedroom remain. 

On the service elevator, I asked Pickles how many workers he had on the job. 

250. 

Sheet: And what does a project like this cost to build? 

Pickles: We’re at about 200 to date. 

That’s $200 million. 

 I asked Pickles how the scope of the project stacks up to other projects he’s shepherded. 

It’s on the smaller side. After all, he’s from Vegas. 

Over the weekend, I spoke to John Curnow, Limelight’s Regional GM. 

His refrain, similar to a previous interview we did in February, 2023, focused on Limelight’s desire to serve as a community partner, and as host to a “community living room.” 

When you can accommodate more than 200 people in your lobby, it’s not as farfetched as it sounds. 

He talked about Limelight’s philanthropy. In Sun Valley, the company has donated more than $300,000 over eight years to various community causes and organizations. It also provides each employee two full-paid volunteer days per year.

We also discussed the sensitive topic of labor and workforce housing. 

He anticipates the property will employ a staff of one hundred, and that the first employee, the General Manager, will be installed by March.

 In terms of where that staff will live, Curnow says, “We’re looking at everything.” That means lease, buy and build opportunities. 

Both in Aspen and Sun Valley, the company owns a significant amount of housing stock. 

If you’re not in the market for a $5 million residence, there is another avenue towards buying into the Limelight multiverse.

And that is via its members-only club. 

The club features ski lockers, valet service, a host of other amenities, and most important, parking access. 

There is also a collaboration with Mammoth’s Black Pass so members will have access to Parallax Restaurant, as well as cut-the-line lift access privileges. 

Of course, both those perks come for a small fee. 

Club membership requires a $150,000 deposit. Stop by the Limelight sales office in the Village at Mammoth if you’d like to learn more, visit limelightresidencesmammoth.com, or contact the sales team at 760.501.2801Discount