Vail, Colorado, a renowned ski resort town attracting celebrities and wealthy tourists, is investing $189 million to construct a new housing complex specifically for its local workforce. The Southface Vail project, slated for completion in September 2028, will offer 268 residential units aimed at addressing the town's affordable housing crisis.
The development is designed to house individuals who work full-time in Eagle County, where Vail is located, and will serve as their primary residence. Vail, which has a permanent population of around 5,000 residents, typically sees its visitor numbers soar to 2.8 million during the winter months. This influx of tourists, including figures like the Kardashians, contributes to a high cost of living, with average apartment rents nearing $3,620 per month.
Vail Mayor Barry Davis stated that the housing complex is an investment in the town's residents, whom he described as its "lifeblood." He emphasized that the project reinforces the town's values by prioritizing the people who live and work in Vail, ensuring they have convenient commutes and feel like integral parts of the community. The new units will range from studios to two-bedroom apartments, with projected monthly rents between $1,600 and $2,500.
The Southface Vail complex will feature three four-story buildings with amenities including outdoor spaces, a fitness center, a clubhouse, co-working areas, and a dedicated bus stop. The project is considered an engineering feat due to the steep, more than 40 percent slope of the hillside on which it is being built.
This initiative follows Vail's recent completion of the Timber Ridge Village project, another affordable housing development featuring over 300 units. The town's efforts to provide affordable housing come at a time when it has faced challenges attracting economic activity, partly due to historically low snowfall last winter which impacted tourism and subsequently, sales tax collections. Town officials had previously recommended significant budget cuts to essential services.
The announcement of the Southface Vail complex has generated mixed reactions online. Some residents have expressed concerns that the development will not enhance the town's aesthetic appeal for tourists and worry about potential impacts on parking, as the complex will offer 257 spaces for its 268 units. Others have voiced skepticism, suggesting the housing might still be acquired and rented out by wealthy individuals rather than being occupied by essential workers. Conversely, some online comments acknowledge the long-standing demand for more housing and the town's commitment to addressing it, despite the mixed public sentiment.