Valerie and Gil Clausen kept it in the family when they created their Cherry Creek North penthouse in the 250 Columbine building.
Valerie, a violinist and retired executive director of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, and Gil, a retired gold mining executive, chose the penthouse in 2016 to simplify their lives.
They bought the seventh-floor, 4,500-square-foot home for $5 million when the building was unfinished and were able to work with Valerie’s sister Jennifer Tate, principal architect of Tate + Burns in Essex, Connecticut, to design a warm, modern space reminiscent of the sisters’ childhood home in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
“What a treat it was to get to work with her. We could customize certain elements to suit our aesthetic,” Valerie Clausen said.
Together, they created a space with 13-foot ceilings, a guest wing separated from the primary suite, a dedicated office space, more storage space, and an open, functional kitchen separated from the living room with an Ortal gas fireplace on a marble-clad floating wall.
The design also incorporated space to showcase the Clausens’ art collection.
The three-bedroom, four-bath penthouse includes three underground garage spaces with electric vehicle charging stations and two large storage units, said listing agent Pam Parker with Corcoran Perry & Co.
The Clausens’ penthouse is one of three at 250 Columbine, a 71-unit building within walking distance of dining and shopping in Cherry Creek. It offers views of downtown Denver, Cheesman Park and the mountains.
The Clausens loved the views but didn’t want to live in a high-rise disconnected from the neighborhood.
“We’ve really enjoyed living in this building,” Clausen said. “There’s a friendly community here, and it has a beautiful amenity deck with a swimming pool and views of downtown and the surrounding area. We pinch ourselves at living in such a gorgeous place.”
After the pair retired earlier this year, they’re ready to move to a smaller space in Denver and find another home closer to family out of state.
This story was reported by our partner BusinessDen.
Get more real estate and business news by signing up for our weekly newsletter, On the Block.
