Tommy Hilfiger Gets $66.7 Million for Aspen Ski Home

In Aspen’s booming luxury market, fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger has sold a slopeside mansion for $66.7 million, roughly three months after buying it for nearly $41.3 million.

The ski-in, ski-out home traded in an off-market deal that closed Tuesday, said Steven Shane of Compass, who represented both parties in the transaction. He declined to disclose the identity of the buyer. Mr. Hilfiger and his wife, Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, bought the Aspen Mountain property in December, property records show.

Mr. Hilfiger declined to comment. The designer, known for his all-American clothing brand, is also a prolific house renovator. Last year, the Hilfigers traded a grand Connecticut estate for a mansion in Palm Beach, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Mr. Shane said the Hilfigers had spent several years looking for a “legacy property” in Aspen to remodel and make their own. “It was never their intention to buy it and sell it,” he said. “It’s difficult to pry a property like this one away, but I think everything has a price.”

Built in 2003, the house is about 665sqm with four bedrooms, Mr. Shane said. It is located on the Little Nell ski trail on Aspen Mountain.

The Hilfigers bought the home from the family of the late Cynthia and George P.Mitchell, property records show. Mr. Mitchell was a Texas real-estate developer and oil baron who pioneered fracking.

Thanks to limited inventory and high demand, Aspen’s luxury market is burgeoning. Last year, a mansion overlooking the tony ski town sold for a record approx. $96.5 million, the Journal reported. A mountaintop mansion recently traded for approx. $54 million.

Mr. Shane said he’s doing an increasing number of off-market deals. “When somebody wants something, they buy it,” he said. “Most often it will be worth more tomorrow than what they paid for it today.”

It may be a well-worn cliche, but if these walls could talk there would be plenty of state secrets to share. The landmark residence at 8-10 Howard St, Kew was once the private residence of Sir Robert Menzies and Dame Pattie between 1929 and 1949, during the Prime Minster’s first term in the top job. He later held the role again from 1949 to 1966, making him Australia’s longest serving Prime Minister.

Historical land records indicate that the Howard St property was sold to Leonard Clinton Shaw, brother-in-law of Pattie Menzies. Robert and Patti then moved to live into The Lodge in Canberra.

The stately arts and crafts era home was built in the 1910s and has reportedly played host to a long list of dignitaries and VIP guests. As rumour has it, the drawing room of the Kew property is where Menzies crafted his iconic speeches and held many clandestine meetings.

Today the imposing five-bedroom residence, which sits on a vast 1874sq m land parcel in the coveted Studley Park precinct, has come to market through Marshall White agents James Tostevin and Chris Barrett with a price guide of $8.3 million to $8.9 million.

According to CoreLogic, the property last sold in 2018 for $7.75 million.

Beyond the expansive parklike grounds that to pay homage to celebrated Australian landscaper Edna Walling, the two-storey house is packed with meticulously maintained period features.

Showcasing the best of arts and crafts design influences, the home has a charming tuck-point brick façade, a tessellated tile veranda, coloured leadlight glass windows, dark stained wood panelling inside, as well as high decorative ceilings and cornices.

The large foyer divides the lower level into two distinct zones; big formal rooms and more casual family-friendly spaces. Built for entertaining on a grand scale, both the lounge and dining rooms rooms have original fireplaces and open out to either the undercover veranda or enclosed sunroom.

Also on the ground level, a spacious family room with yet another fireplace connects to an everyday meals area, and the contemporary kitchen comes complete with granite surfaces, a Paul Bocuse stove, an integrated Miele dishwasher, a walk-in pantry and wine cellar. A home office, or potential guest bedroom, plus a large laundry and two powder rooms round out the lower level floor plan.

Up via a majestic timber staircase, four big bedrooms have fireplaces and built-in wardrobes, while the primary suite is home to a palatial ensuite and dressing room. This accommodation level also houses two family bathrooms and a rear balcony that overlooks the grounds.

Outdoors there are multiple lifestyle features including a north/south tennis court with lighting, a unique rounds swimming pool and all-weather terraces.

Other features include an alarm, hydronic heating, a 60,000L underground tank, a garden shed, a remote double garage and additional off-street parking.

Located on the old Oakland Estate, the Menzies’ former home is close to popular eateries, Xavier College, St Vincents Private Hospital and golf courses.

Expressions of interest close on March 11, at 5pm for 8-10 Howard St, Kew. The home is listed with a price guide of $8.3 million to $8.9 million through agents James Tostevin and Chris Barrett of Marshall White.

Tommy Hilfiger Gets $66.7 Million for Aspen Ski Home

The famed fashion designer sold the ski-in, ski-out property about three months after buying it for nearly $42 million.

PHOTO: JORDAN STRAUSS/INVISION/AP

Home to Sir Robert Menzies and Dame Pattie, this grand Melbourne estate is a piece of Australian political history.