Upland Development And Beck & Engle | Expertise With A Personal Partner Website

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By Sarah Ericson

Park City has always attracted people with active lifestyles who integrate the natural world into their daily lives and home decor. When prospective homebuilders start to envision their family dream home or their mountain getaway retreat, the options for building and design firms seem unlimited. But one partnership stands out in the crowd—Upland Development and Beck & Engle have exactly what it takes to deliver personalized, luxury homes for discerning clients with big dreams. Their dedication to building personal relationships and their commitment to focusing on each homeowner’s unique desires results in a truly client-centered project every time.

When a residential market experiences a building boom, it’s easy for industry professionals to grow at the same accelerated rate. And while the success and accomplishments of Upland Development and Beck & Engle have both been remarkable, their operations maintain a small-scale attention to detail, enabling them to deliver the services of a boutique firm.

“The Jupiter clients were delightful from start t o finish. They came in with a high level of professionalism and an understanding of the building industry in general. On top of that, they’re happy people who enjoy life, and that was apparent through the whole process.”

–Jesica Taylor, Co-owner, Office Manager, Upland Development

Upland Development has been building luxury homes in and around Park City for over 20 years. Their portfolio tells the story of Park City’s growth during that time, where the scale of projects has expanded and kept pace with changing architectural styles. “We have a small team of dedicated and amazing individuals,” says Jesica Taylor, Co-owner and Office Manager of Upland Development. While Jesica manages most of the behind-the-scenes operations, Ryan Taylor, Co-owner, President, and General Contractor of Upland Development is on site daily and acts as the point person with each client from start to finish. The entire team is in constant contact, providing cohesive service personalized to each project.

Likewise, at Beck & Engle, Amanda Engle and Stacey Beck have years of experience with large-scale projects, and they consciously maintain a small team of designers. “Our team is just the right size, small and intimate but with the right amount of support. Park City is a close-knit community, and our firm mirrors that dynamic. We have the time and energy to engage with our clients through the duration of the project and long after completion too,” says Amanda Engle, Principal at Beck & Engle. Amanda notes that delivering a client’s vision has everything to do with them as individuals, so personal connection is paramount to both the relationships and the projects. “We engage with our clients in sincere and deep ways. We remember their birthdays, we become friends, and we stay in touch. It’s about relationship-building as much as anything else,” she adds.

These two firms have worked together fluidly on several projects over the years. Their communication styles, personalities, and even their interests outside of work overlap, resulting in seamless project management and execution. “Stacey and Amanda are organized, professional, and talented. Just like Ryan, they’re gifted at making clients’ dreams come alive. Our processes are totally aligned,” says Jesica. Amanda echoes those sentiments when she talks about their management styles. “Ryan, Jesica, and their team are highly knowledgeable and they stay grounded while working with and guiding the client,” she says. Amanda notes that their work ethos coincides on a big-picture level as well as in the minutia. “We have the same overall vibe when approaching projects, and Ryan and I love to geek out on the design details together.”

The most recent collaboration between these two firms is Jupiter, a luxury residence in The Colony at White Pine Canyon. This impressive 10,500-square-foot estate designed by Otto/Walker Architects includes seven bedrooms, a bunk room, gym, infrared sauna, billiard room, ski room, three additional powder rooms, a sunset deck, two grand staircases, and multiple indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces. The house was thoughtfully designed to fit the clients’ active lifestyle and to honor their distinct personalities and affinities.

“Even before the project broke ground, I was up on a lift surveying the site with the client. The energetic presence of nature was undeniable, and it matched the personalities of the clients. They’re very athletic and organized with styles that are simple yet bold. Capturing the view—both geographically and figuratively—in those early raw stages is essential to delivering the client’s vision.”

–Amanda Engle, Principal, Beck & Engle

“The Jupiter clients were delightful from start to finish. They came in with a high level of professionalism and an understanding of the building industry in general. On top of that, they’re happy people who enjoy life, and that was apparent through the whole process,” remembers Jesica. In the luxury residential building industry, the process encompasses a great deal of time, decision-making, and financial management. Infusing that process with joy is something that Upland Development and Beck & Engle prioritize.

A project of this size has a substantial timeline, and Upland Development and Beck & Engle were a united team from the beginning. “Even before the project broke ground, I was up on a lift surveying the site with the client. The energetic presence of nature was undeniable, and it matched the personalities of the clients. They’re very athletic and organized with styles that are simple yet bold. Capturing the view—both geographically and figuratively—in those early raw stages is essential to delivering the client’s vision,” says Amanda. The design, build, and installation stages all require a give-and-take between the client, architect, builder, and design team, and Amanda says it’s an ideal situation when all parties are hands-on from the beginning.

Approaching each project with that mentality is something that both Upland Development and Beck & Engle excel at. Working as a team, they have a proven ability to meet the complexities of large-scale projects with ease. “It’s a fast-paced business, and we’re committed to balancing the need to be accurate and satisfying the client’s timeline,” says Jesica. “It’s necessary to be equal parts methodic and creative while also being constantly engaged with the client. No matter what the project is, success comes from clarifying their vision, having ongoing conversations, and documenting everything,” says Amanda. Jupiter, like all their projects, was completed with a team-centered approach from start to finish.

Because each client has unique needs as far as lifestyle, desired amenities, and personal aesthetic, Upland Development and Beck & Engle’s portfolios showcase an array of successful projects. Upland Development’s team has built and remodeled houses throughout the Salt Lake and Park City valleys. Although they work primarily in and around Park City, Beck & Engle’s portfolio features projects throughout Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and California and as far away as Tennessee and Florida. Both firms routinely work with repeat clients and are recruited almost exclusively through client and industry referrals.

“Our goal is always to build a team with the client that will complement their lifestyle.”

–Jesica Taylor, Co-owner, Office Manager, Upland Development

Amanda is proud that so much of Beck & Engle’s work is done on behalf of repeat clients. “Once we’ve completed a project, it’s common for that client to enlist our help with their additional properties. That’s how we end up working both locally and globally,” she says. Upland Development’s client base grows in a similar fashion. “So often new clients come to us through organic, word-of-mouth referrals. They’ve been chatting with friends over a glass of wine, perhaps they’re gathered in one of the spectacular homes that we’ve built, and that’s how it happens. We’re so grateful for their support and recommendations,” says Jesica.

Completing any project relies on a multidisciplinary team, and both firms are committed to assembling industry professionals with the best possible team dynamic. Whether they are the first point of contact, or the client comes to them through a realtor, architect, or client referral, Upland is committed to assembling the best team for each individual, one that will suit their tastes and personalities. “Our goal is always to build a team with the client that will complement their lifestyle,” says Jesica. “Additionally, we provide every prospective client with an extensive list of references. We invite everyone to reach out and talk to people we’ve worked with before. We are confident that our work, with both the structures and the relationships that we’ve built, will speak for itself.” At the outset of every project, Upland Development assists clients with interviews until the perfect team is selected to accomplish the build of their dreams.

Beck & Engle specializes in full-service interior design projects, often with expansive multi-building estates. Additionally, they service smaller-scale installations as well as property remodel projects. “We get a lot of client referrals for the full design builds, and those are my favorite kind, where we can fully execute the shared vision of the clients and the design team,” says Amanda. “But remodel projects offer a different kind of challenge and an exciting energy. Right now, we’re finishing a project in Wyoming with an existing log frame. The existing elements, their proportion and scale, provide unique challenges that are fun to solve with the client’s inspiration.”

And Park City has a wealth of inspiration, both from the people and from the natural surroundings. “Building in Park City allows our team to work in one of the most beautiful places in the world. We’re connected to a hub of resources with an extremely high level of performance and design aesthetic,” says Jesica. “People in Park City are pretty open-minded in terms of possibility. And there’s an abundance of influential and successful businesswomen who are respected by industry professionals and the clientele,” says Amanda. Both teams agree that building luxury homes with the highest quality materials, talents, and clients is a privilege unique to Park City.

Building and design firms who center their clients’ lifestyles and personalities know the true value of a healthy work-life balance, because their creativity is derived from their own lifestyles and personalities. Ryan and Jesica Taylor have operated Upland Development for over 20 years, and they’ve been happily married for almost 30. Running a business and nurturing a personal relationship is not without its challenges, but they seem to do it with ease. “Ryan and I are very consistent people. We’re not afraid of risk and we meet every opportunity with enthusiasm and a solid foundation,” says Jesica. After decades of work and life together, they know what works and they know what it takes to improve and grow.

“We share the relentless need for creativity, and we know what it takes to maintain a work-life balance. There is no separation when it comes to being a visionary. I’m simultaneously a team member, a business developer, and an individual engaging with my creativity”

–Amanda Engle, Principal, Beck & Engle

Likewise, Amanda and Stacey’s friendship and work partnership is over a decade old. “We share the relentless need for creativity, and we know what it takes to maintain a work-life balance,” says Amanda. Adventure and travel are central to Amanda’s personal life, and through her personal pursuits, she is continually looking for ways to become more effective in the design space. “There is no separation when it comes to being a visionary. I’m simultaneously a team member, a business developer, and an individual engaging with my creativity,” she adds.

Balancing personal lives and professional pursuits seems natural to both teams, and that’s no small task in today’s tech environment. With the ability to be in touch from anywhere at any time, there’s an inherent challenge involved in keeping a multi-disciplinary project moving in a steady and calculated direction. “With a strategic communication plan, we can be timely for the sake of the client and all of the principals working together. Organized communication lends itself to a better project when everyone’s time is honored,” says Jesica. Amanda knows that effective communication is paramount for the client’s vision to come to life, and she prioritizes that focus at all times. “I’m constantly engaged in the creative pursuit even when I’m out of the office. Inspiration comes from everywhere when you are open to it, and keeping everyone on the same page ensures that the developing vision comes to life,” she says.

When not working on the design task at hand, Ryan and Jesica and Amanda and Stacey are often spending their time in similar ways. They’re usually adventuring on Park City’s plentiful trails, hiking and running with their dogs, and enjoying time in nature with their families. The desire to create, design, and live a fulfilling life surrounded by Park City’s natural beauty is a treasure shared by the teams at Upland Development, Beck & Engle, and their extensive list of satisfied clients.

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