There is no shortage of open space at Cornerstone, a 6,000-acre resort real estate development tucked on to the Uncompahgre Plateau in the southwestern Colorado town of Montrose, not far from Telluride. This part of the state is a nature lover’s dream, and Cornerstone is located in the heart of it. Hiking, horseback riding, skiing, golfing and fishing abound, and for buyers attracted to Cornerstone’s large plots of land, the great outdoors is literally in their backyard.

What’s for Sale

Cornerstone is squarely aimed at buyers looking to purchase land, and a lot of it. The community’s smallest lots, ranging from a quarter to one acre in size, start at $300,000 and are located near the Cornerstone Lodge and Golf Clubhouse, which make up the Village. Most of these lots are located near the aspen forests, and offer views of the San Juan Mountains or the Uncompahgre Valley and the mesas. Estate Homesteads start at $500,000, and offer far more space, with lots ranging in size from about three to 20 acres. The largest land options are what the community calls ranch homesteads, and these lots are intended for the buyer looking for a much larger tract. Sprawling from 20 to 130 acres, they are located along the perimeter of the development. Prices start at $725,000. Ranch owners are allowed to keep up to three horses, and to construct any accessory structures needed to house them.

For those not looking to build their own home on the range, a limited number of four-bedroom cabins are available, starting at $2.6 million. These cabins were the first to be built in the Village, and their stylings reflect the Old West meets modern luxury attitude that characterizes the lifestyle at Cornerstone.

What You Get

In short, a lot of land. Cornerstone is for the buyer who wants room to spread out, manifest destiny style. Not to say that you’ll be roughing it exactly. An 18-hole Greg Norman-designed championship golf course and golf clubhouse are slated to open this year, and the Cornerstone Club and the Cornerstone Lodge are set to be the heart of the community. The Club, scheduled to open in 2008, will feature dining facilities, numerous shops and a 40-acre stables and boarding facility for horses. The Cornerstone Lodge will feature a spa, fitness center, swimming pool, tennis courts and a gourmet restaurant and bar.

The Helium Report Take

Cornerstone is meant for the buyer looking to build their dream vacation home. Aside from the limited number of existing homes, Cornerstone is not about turn-key living. The challenge for land buyers will be managing the construction of their second home from afar and keeping tabs on a project located in a somewhat remote area that may take you a full day of travel, complete with connecting flights, to reach. Like other private communities, land buyers in Cornerstone should also be prepared to have their home plans approved by the community’s architectural and design board before breaking ground.

The community’s dedication to the landscape and love of wide-open spaces will make it an appealing option for those who want to engage in the surroundings as much as they want to vacation in a luxury property. As sprawling planned developments encroach ever further into the untouched western lands, an option that works to preserve those sweeping views of the mountain ranges, fields of wildflowers and aspen forests may very well represent one of the last real vestiges of the Wild West. Cornerstone’s efforts to integrate man and wild will also be a draw for the right crowd. Removing fences so wildlife can roam freely as in days of yore and their friendly attitude toward horse-owners are both nods to the Colorado “pioneering spirit,” and even their 18-hole golf course makes the most of the rugged terrain.

Telluride, is about an hour away from the development, which has an airport shuttle service to Montrose airport, 20 miles away. There is also a Telluride area clubhouse called the Mountain Club which offers the same level of service available at Cornerstone just steps away from the year-round gondola to the historic Town of Telluride. This is a noteworthy opportunity for someone looking to meld modern convenience and the casual frontier lifestyle.