Celebrating refined mountain living, this new Tuhaye home is poised to enjoy all that the location offers.
Photos by Scot Zimmerman
Many more are seeking lots for homes in Park City’s outlying areas as Park City continues to build out. Tuhaye is a gated community near Park City on the northeastern side of Jordanelle Reservoir intended for those looking for large lots for custom homes. The 10,000-acre, trail-crossed Tuhaye community is part of the Talisker Club, which includes Empire Pass and offers golf, skiing, dining, and extensive recreational amenities. Talisker Club’s facilities include the 18-hole highly rated Mark O’Meara-designed golf course at Tuhaye; private Deer Valley ski access at Empire Pass; a bistro on Main Street, Base Camp at Tuhaye (a club complex of spa & fitness, pools, bowling, billiards, casual dining, arcades, sports courts, and a collaborative workspace); and the Outpost, a back-country retreat anchored by a yurt for snow-shoe adventures and snowmobiles.
Nestled on one of Tuhaye’s rolling hills near the Jordanelle, the sun sets behind the home and Wasatch Mountains. Architect Scott Gillespie of The Sandbox Studio in Truckee, California, designed the stone and wood home, and he worked with his Truckee colleague, interior designer Debbie Costa of Moxie Design Studio. Park City contractor, Upland Development (Ryan and Jesica Taylor), built the home.
Moving closer into the front elevation, Scott Gillespie’s contemporary take on the covered front porch demonstrates an inviting sheltered entry that shields the sun and rain. I chose a time of day for the photo that would demonstrate the transparency of the home to the site and views out the back. As mountain living matures, it is increasingly about celebrating place and connections.
Stepping inside to the entryway, a seating area at this end of the great room is anchored by a large concrete fireplace reminiscent of a lodge but in a contemporary style. In making the photo, I was very aware of the strong horizontal lines of the room and how the furnishings maintained and supported them. Debbie Costa chose subtle neutral hues and played with variations of patterns and textures.
Moving to the left is the dining area. The selections support a sense of lightness, brightness, and simplicity while maintaining strong lines.
The kitchen mixes light wooden cabinetry and dark accents while continuing the brightness with white stone and tile.
As I see in many of the Upland-built homes, the butler’s pantry is shielded from view, and access is without a door and hands-free. Inside the pantry is workspace, storage, an oven and appliances, combining to remove visible clutter from the kitchen. With an open plan, this is especially beneficial when entertaining, and it also works well for catered events.
I’m turning back the other way and heading past the dining area, the living area and entry and through the doorway that leads to the private family area.
The first room I come to is the glass wall and door of the double office with built-in bookcases and cabinetry and full-length views to the outdoors.
Next is the primary bedroom with built-ins, fireplace, and similar full-length views with a seating area placed for basking in the sunshine.
The spacious primary ensuite bath has a dazzling tiled backsplash behind the double sinks and vanity and in the distance a soaking tub sits beneath the window by a fireplace. At the other end of the vanity is a sleek shower installation with subtle texturing in the white tiles of the shower walls.
Heading downstairs, the thin rail, balusters, and balustrades support the theme of transparency, and the window brightens the space with natural light.
In the downstairs, there is a more casual sitting area and another dramatic fireplace anchors the space. The U-shaped sectional can seat a crowd, and the opening window wall lets the group spill out to the outdoor patio seating.
An innovative bunkroom balances creating privacy and allowing light to filter through.
Heading down toward the adult guest rooms, a sauna installation takes advantage of space in the wide hallway.
The downstairs bedrooms/guestrooms continue soft colors, textures, and capturing the views.
An almost Asian simplicity of forms and lines mark the guestrooms’ attached baths.
I’m sometimes asked about the changes I have observed having lived and photographed in the Wasatch Back for so long. I find the progression in design sophistication and building quality and the skills required to implement the innovations in design to be quite staggering. It was only 25-30 years ago that I primarily photographed rustic log and timber frame cabins and mountain homes with rough-hewn posts and river rock stonework. Quite the rapid shift!
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