Tour Jackson Hole’s Newest Luxury Hotel and Club
Caldera House takes the apres-ski experience to another level
The modern alpine feel with its hint of European aesthetic is most palpable in the outdoor spaces, where hide-covered lounge chairs celebrate la dolce vita as the tram floats past. | Photography by Douglas Freidman
For one of the world’s iconic ski mountains, a luxury development combining a private club with a hotel and restaurant had to embrace its site just steps away from the Jackson Hole tram while offering an elevated take on alpine aesthetics and comfort. The creators of Caldera House turned to CLB Architects for refined mountain design that would capture the energy of a bustling ski scene while simultaneously creating an oasis of privacy, quiet and calm.
Conceived as a luxury-club-meets-hotel at one of the world’s iconic ski mountains, Jackson Hole’s Caldera House takes the apres-ski experience to another level.
The mandate for Caldera House was to capture the romance of skiing’s golden age, pay homage to local history and find expression in a contemporary, livable and chic but casual style. The 70,000-square-foot building reads of-the-moment yet timeless in its facade of glass, wood paneling and stone with black steel accents, patinaed copper panels and Douglas fir timbers.
The interiors at Caldera House were designed by CLB Architects and Commune Design, who looked to Europe for inspiration and strived to capture the essence of the golden age of skiing while paying homage to local history.
The interiors, designed by CLB and Commune Design, include a restaurant, bar, reception area, members’ lounge and locker room. “The intent was to redefine the way luxury accommodations were experienced in Jack- son,” explains designer Sarah Kennedy of CLB Architects. “They didn’t want the typical lodge-like feel or anything you would expect. This was to be a no-antler, no-cliche hotel. There were a lot of design notes taken from modern European chalets, with open spaces that felt light, airy and connected to outdoors but had the feel of really comfortable luxury interiors.”
When designing Caldera House, the challenge was creating an oasis of serenity while also capturing the energy of the ski scene outside. In the sleek but warm bar, copper panels add glam. Open glass shelving lends an open and airy feel.
The established design palette sets the tone with wood (cedar, white oak and walnut) and regionally sourced farmer stone; these flow from the public to private areas with modifications for each space. While all residential units strive for a feeling of timeless simplicity, each speaks to its own influences.
The restaurant, currently undergoing a renovation, holds pride of place with windows on two sides looking out on aspen trees and the busy slopes.
The four-bedroom suites occupy the upper floors from front to back so as to capture both the mountain view and ski village, with sliding glass doors opening onto decks on either end.
The spaces within Caldera House find expression in a contemporary, livable and chic but casual style. The two- and four-bedroom apartments all offer a sense of refuge while maintaining a strong connection to the outdoors.
A more traditional suite features leather and equestrian accents; another, more modern, features ethnic pieces. Four two-bedroom condos were designed for kicking back after skiing all day, with white-oak paneling and floors, open-plan kitchens with Heath tile and open shelving lending an airy and earthy feel. Locally sourced furniture was paired with high-end Italian pieces; bedrooms feature built-ins and unusual accents, textures and prints. Pendleton blankets, plaid draperies and freestanding bathtubs create a modern cabin feel in a considered expression of the developers’ vision.
After a day on the slopes, the Caldera House Spa & Athletic Club is an ideal space for rejuvenation. Designed to mimic a European chalet, the light and airy space invites in new energy.
“There’s a simplicity in the approach with the use of really beautiful material,” explains Kennedy. “This less-is-more aesthetic highlights crafted pieces as opposed to filling spaces with furniture. There’s nothing overpowering or fussy. It’s all very simple, highlighting craft and refinement.”
CLB interiors combined Boffi cabinetry, Apparatus Studio lighting and an Altura Furniture table in a dining space with natural textures (leather, wood) and manufactured materials, including glass and metallic paints.
In December, the Italian alpine-influenced restaurant Corsa will open after a $3 million renovation by Shawn Hausman Design. “Caldera House is a one-of-a-kind property that feels like a private home,” says general manager Erik Kirkenmeier. “It is warm and welcoming, yet modern and luxurious. Whether it’s families traveling together, couples or friends, our guests want to explore the outdoors and take advantage of everything Jackson Hole has to offer. We offer a range of experiences that you really can’t find anywhere else, and we aim to really get to know our guests before they arrive so we can customize their experience.”
Although each apartment has its own character, the bedrooms are serene retreats. The designers maintained a natural palette of materials warmed by pops of color and soft textiles in decorative pillows, throws and rugs.
DESIGN DETAILS
INTERIOR DESIGN CLB Architects, Commune Design
HOTEL Caldera House
RESTAURANT DESIGN Shawn Hausman Design
PHOTOGRAPHY Douglas Freidman
