Colorado, Routt County, Steamboat Springs, USA

Sometimes the best properties are the ones that could never be duplicated. Created in 1997 through a delightful collaboration between artisan Jan Cohen, architect Rob Hawkins, and local craftsmen, this one-of-a-kind home has 105 ft of Yampa River frontage. Its story and character are unlike anything in Steamboat. Combining passive solar design, post-and-beam construction with straw bale infill, the home offers strength, comfort, and energy efficiency. Thick plastered walls, radiant in-floor heat, and straw bale insulation create a quiet, peaceful living environment that is warm in winter, cool in summer, and solid throughout. Unlike a production-built home, every space was thoughtfully imagined and carefully created. Sculpted window reveals, graceful curves, hand-finished plaster walls, custom nooks, arched doorways, and artistic details reflect the fine craftsmanship that went into its creation. The exterior's ferrous sulfate finish changes beautifully with the light, adding to the home's character. A little bit urban and a little bit country, this property offers a rare opportunity to live within walking distance of downtown, Howelsen Hill, and Emerald Mountain while enjoying a surprisingly private riverfront setting. Currently configured as a city-approved duplex, the property offers flexible living arrangements. The lower level features two beds, one bath, a kitchen, and living space, while the upper level includes one bed, one bath, a kitchen, and a private deck where you can take in mountain views and check ski conditions. Outside, mature landscaping, river frontage, a heated garage, a workshop, and handcrafted details create a setting that feels worlds away from town. While the river frontage and location are exceptional, it's the feeling of this home that is hardest to capture in words. To truly understand what makes it special, it must be experienced in person. This is not a cookie-cutter home. It's a place with soula work of art that happens to be a home.