Susan Morrice spent nearly 30 years creating an idyllic escape in the middle of the Denver metro.
Now, the oil executive needs to spend more time in Belize, so she’s selling the property, which includes three parcels:
- On the 5200 block of South University Boulevard: Includes a 6,615-square-foot adobe home on 7.24 acres;
- Also on the 5200 block of South University Boulevard: Includes a 2,535-square-foot Irish farmhouse-style home on 2.24 acres;
- And on the 2700 block of East Willamette Lane: Private ponds and horse pasture on over 4 acres zoned for residential building.
Morrice purchased her first Greenwood Village property in 1994 and, since then, added any available land on the property’s perimeter to create the compound. “Our vision was to create a private valley that allowed nature to take its course,” she said.
When you enter the property after a busy day, you experience a sanctuary that lets you escape the world’s hassle, noise and traffic.
“When the gates close behind you, it’s like you’re in another world where you experience the feeling of calm sanctuary,” Morrice said.
Morrice, a geologist, co-founded Belize Natual Energy in 1992 before striking oil in Belize in 2005. Although she’s worked in Belize for 35 years, she wants to move there now to be more hands-on. “I’m ready to get back down there and roll up my sleeves,” she said.
Her Greenwood Village retreat features six structures, including a stable, greenhouse and treehouse, but its centerpiece is the adobe home built more than 120 years ago that Morrice said was once the home of former U.S. Sen. Floyd Haskell.
The property also includes a boat house designed to mimic the appearance of Denver’s airport. “It almost looks like it has a big sail on the roof,” Morrice said.
To preserve and protect the property, Morrice devised an underground pump system to conserve and recycle water.
She previously listed the retreat in October 2021 with Engel & Volkers for $21 million before removing the listing in July 2022.
Morrice listed it again on Oct. 6 for $18.4 million with Anne Dresser Kocur with LIV Sotheby’s International Realty.
Kocur said she’s marketing the property in a few ways. A buyer could purchase the entire property and continue to use it as a family compound. Or, the property could be divided into two parcels — on the 5200 block of University Boulevard and on the 2700 block of East Willamette Lane.
She’s using LIV Sotheby’s to promote the property and personally contacted custom builders to pitch the land.
“It’s an oasis in the city,” Kocur said. “It’s rare to find 14 acres in the center of Greenwood Village that is available.”
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She said a new owner could also have bragging rights to using 5280 — a Mile-High address. “Those numbers are magical.”
Morrice envisions three possibilities for the next owner to consider.
First, the property could continue as a family or multigenerational estate. Second, it could become a small, gated private community. Third, it could be developed into an educational center that focuses on letting inner-city school children experience nature.
“If I hadn’t made the decision to move to Belize, I might have pursued that third option,” Morrice said.
This story was reported by our partner BusinessDen.
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