High Star Ranch & The Willows | Expanding Horizons Partner Website

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By Alex Clarkson

The American West is legendary. Photography, film, fiction, memoir, and more have captured the relationship between people and this place. But what does this all look like today, as we step into the second quarter of the 21st century? At The Willows at High Star Ranch, the lure of the American West is as alive as ever.

Tucked into a sublime spot in the shadow of the 2.2-million-acre Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, High Star Ranch is a true equestrian ranch. With its rarified air and pristine vistas, the area delivers on its promise of tranquility, and it exudes a days-gone-by ambience.

There are myriad offerings at High Star Ranch: miles and miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, an equestrian center where horseback riding and boarding are available to interested people, and prime access to fly fishing at blue-ribbon rivers and streams just a stone’s throw away. The acres of preserved land offer a perspective rarely found in today’s busy world. But what’s truly extraordinary about the locale is that from here, one can turn onto the main road and arrive in Park City in just 15 minutes. 

Part of the community’s allure is that it juxtaposes the quiet majestic beauty of the Utah range alongside the immediacy of the Park City and Deer Valley slopes. The mingling of yesterday and tomorrow. The framing of the idea that one can have it all, which is the premise of The Willows, a compelling new collection of townhomes at High Star Ranch.

According to architect Jonah Ritter of Method Studios, The Willows townhomes were designed “to reflect the traditional vernacular of the Mountain West, adapted to a modern sensibility.” He adds, “The forms are clean and simple with familiar elements such as gable roofs and comfortable proportions, but the materials and detailing reflect a more modern architectural approach, yielding a home that is both rooted in the tradition of its place and suited to a modern lifestyle.”

A well-stocked gym, pickleball, and bocce-ball courts await sports enthusiasts, and a community clubhouse offers an owner lounge and a fully equipped kitchen.

The Willows cultivates harmony between the cabin-style tradition and the Western equestrian lifestyle. Between the rustic lodge and cowboy culture, one can almost hear the rhythm of hooves in the distance. But there is also luxury, comfort, and polish. There’s modern sophistication and open-concept living combined with clean, contemporary lines, making up the blueprint for the new West while still paying tribute to the traditions that shaped Utah’s history.

Veteran developer Gary Raymond of Raymond Partners calls it a “western wonderland.” He has seen trends come and go, having invented and re-invented living spaces over his long career developing over 10,000 condominiums. When discussing the project at High Star Ranch, he describes the area as having “an undeniable sense of space and freedom.” This, he says, is why he knew the spot was “the perfect canvas to create homes that feel grounded, timeless, and connected to the mountain lifestyle.”

There is a significant equine presence here—complete with an indoor and outdoor arena, available day trips, boarding for residents’ and non-residents’ horse companions, and opportunities for anyone to just get out on horseback and ride. Here, you’ve got one foot (or hoof) in the land’s legacy and the other(s) in contemporary ranch living. Raymond playfully suggested that the signature scent of The Willows might be that unmistakable smell of leather–saddles, bridles, and boots.

In the shadow of the Wasatch peaks, the western landscape affords everyone space to roam and the modern design of The Willows offers immense possibility for a stylish and streamlined life in Park City.

As timeless and off-the-beaten-path as The Willows feels, the community also possesses the requisite conveniences and amenities of modern living. The expansive swimming pool with cabanas, chaises, and lounging areas is designed for all levels of repose and relaxation. A well-stocked gym, pickleball, and bocce-ball courts await sports enthusiasts, and a community clubhouse offers an owners’ lounge and a fully equipped kitchen.

Set off from the main road is a collection of 26 premium townhomes. Buyers can select from two distinct and uniquely named three-bedroom floorplans: Uphill—at 2,270 square feet, and Downhill—at 2,248 square feet. Walls of windows and clean lines create a bright and expansive feeling, inside and out. Ten-foot ceilings, eight-foot interior doors, wide-plank wood flooring, premium appliances and fixtures, quartz countertops, full-height backsplashes, modern fireplaces, generous patios and balconies, attached two-car garages, and stellar mountain views are part of every turnkey home.

For those who seek a more personalized retreat, the Spring Hill neighborhood represents a unique opportunity to build on spacious homesites. The architectural guidelines offer great flexibility, and there is access to premier architects and builders who can help craft a modern alpine retreat or a legacy estate that is thoughtfully integrated into the landscape.

The vision encompasses quality, thoughtfulness, community, and the dream of a modern mountain residence that transports its people from the mundane to a place where Park City and nature are at the doorstep. The Willows embraces the contemporary desire that many have to connect with the land, and find joy and meaning through that sense of connection. The Willows celebrates the poetry that has been forgotten or set aside in the hustle of daily life and offers a reconnection with the way nature shows its evergreen carpets, its colorful flourishes in fall, and its quiet falling snow when winter comes. In the shadow of the Wasatch peaks, the western landscape affords everyone space to roam and the modern design of The Willows offers immense possibility for a stylish and streamlined life in Park City.

“I’m so excited to be part of The Willows at High Star Ranch. The townhomes here are truly special—they fit perfectly into the landscape and capture everything that makes High Star such a unique place to live.”

–Mark Rodeheaver, Associate Broker, Berkshire Hathaway Utah Properties

With over 80 years of combined development experience with master plan, mixed-use, hospitality, retail, single-family, and for-sale residential condominium products, the leadership team at Raymond Partners brings a well-rounded skillset and approach to executing large, complicated projects.

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