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The chalet-style lodge will close May 1 for roughly two years, Craig Melville confirmed on Monday. He is the son of founding builders, the late Ralph and Marian Melville. The Melville family sold the property in March 2021 but have continued to run it through a management agreement. Craig said he is unlikely to manage the lodge after it is renovated, instead focusing on the family’s other tourist accommodations.
The lodge is famous for having strong repeat business since its opening at Christmastime 1954. Craig said guests have been kept informed about the looming closure during renovations.
“It will be completely shut down the entire time,” he said.
The initial renovation plan was approved by the city of Aspen in 2001. The new owners received approval for minor amendments from the Aspen Planning and Zoning Commission in August 2023. One major aspect of the third phase of renovation is the demolition and reconstruction of the east wing, said Ben Anderson, community development director for the city of Aspen. A fourth floor will be added on the reconstructed wing.
In an August 2023 memo to the planning commission, Anderson wrote that the renovated lodge will retain much of the current architectural look.
“Importantly, the proposed Mountain Chalet will from the outside look like an updated version of the project as approved by the 2001 (Planned Development), and many exterior elements will appear similar to or reference existing conditions,” Anderson wrote.
The redeveloped eastern wing will be the most noticeable change to the community “but the entirety of the hotel will be updated and subject to significant reconfiguration,” Anderson’s memo said. “The most important element is the demolition and reconstruction of the east wing of the lodge. Also proposed are the addition of two restaurant spaces, the addition of a reception area on Dean Street, and the reconfiguration and updates to the lodge rooms throughout. The exterior of the building will retain its ‘chalet’ architectural character — but will be expressed in new materials and through minor changes to fenestration and balcony design.”
The 2001 city approval was for 67 lodge units, but that was amended last year to 59 rooms. The average size will be reduced from 339 square feet to 329, according to the city memo. About 2,300 square feet of commercial space will be added for the two new restaurants. Existing lounges, a bar, spa and ski lockers for guests will be reconfigured. Five affordable housing units will be added onsite. The main entrance will be on Dean Street rather than Durant Avenue.
Anderson’s memo from 2023 noted that representatives of the new owners and the city had negotiated for two years to get the third phase of the renovation in sync with the 2001 approvals. The process resulted in an amended proposal that the city staff recommended for approval.
The Aspen Daily News reported in August that the Mountain Chalet was purchased for $68 million in 2021 by Larry McGuire, owner of Texas-based McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality and Zach Kupperman of New Orleans-based Kupperman Cos. They own the property through Aspen Mountain Chalet LLC.
The city is reviewing a building permit application for the work. Anderson said he couldn’t comment on when the review will be completed since it is an extensive and complex project. The application estimates the value of the renovation at nearly $62 million.