Resort Planning

Featured Project: Bachelor Gulch

Back in 1993, Jim Thompson, who had moved from Denver to Vail and was hired to take over the troubled resort, Arrowhead at Vail, sat in his office and pondered what to do with the asset. He remembered how David Clinger, a land planner based in Denver, had secured approval for a large project in Arapahoe County that preceded the S&L crisis. He invited Clinger to the Vail project and they put their heads together and created arguably the most successful and profitable resort development in North America.

Tired of the same old concept that utilized various European architectural themes, Clinger investigated the architecture of the Great American Lodges. He glued together two words to create “Parkitecture” and the concept solidified. He planned the property after studying National Park building designs and land planning concepts, marrying the rustic log buildings to the lay of the land and vegetation.

Amenities such as golf, fly fishing, hiking paths, ski-in/ski-out yurt clubs, preservation of historic cabins, fine dining and ski-in/ski-out connections between the homes, hotels and village center created one of the most environmentally conscious developments ever offered in the western United States.

Today, Arrowhead and Bachelor Gulch stand out as one of America’s premier resorts. The organization of various types of single family log homes, townhomes, condos, cabins, hotels and village center complement the terrain and preserve wildlife areas.

“It’s like living and recreating in a National Park. I’m glad we created the Parkitecture theme. The homes look and feel like they have been there for a long time. Perhaps, man can enhance nature.”

Dave Clinger