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Located in a region with an economy based largely on tourism and recreation, Thorp Associates has designed a number of hotel, resort, and other lodging and recreational facilities, many of which incorporate an elegant yet rustic “Parks and Recreation” style of architecture. We provide practical experience in the planning and organization of many types of projects, from national hotel chains and state-of-the-art conference centers, to grand mountain lodges and National Park facilities.
| Fall River Visitor Center Rocky Mountain National Park - Estes Park, Colorado |
 A first ever public / private partnership between the National Park Service and a private property owner culminated in June 2000 with the Grand Opening of the Fall River Visitor Center, Restaurant and Retail Center, just outside the Fall River Entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. Dubbed "parkarchitecture", this facility was designed as a site sensitive, rustic design, reminiscent of National Park Service lodges of the early 20th Century. The structure won an AIA Colorado North Chapter's Honor Award for Excellence in Design and has been recognized as outstanding by the Organization for Responsible Development. In a recent study conducted by the National Park Service, it was noted that the facility is a positive influence in drawing visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park. |
| Lakeshore Lodge and Conference Center - Estes Park, Colorado |
 Opening for the 2000 Memorial Weekend, this local fifty-six unit resort and conferencing facility located on Lake Estes enjoys a premier panoramic view of the favorite Twin Sisters and Long's Peak mountains. Amenities include the "Silverado", a full service restaurant with deck dining on the lake, bar, indoor swimming pool, exercise room, game room, and walking proximity to Estes Lake Trail and Estes Park Marina. Designed to handle as many as three hundred participants in a single conference, the facility provides for smaller breakout groups, while offering on-site or teleconferencing technology. The project provides these state-of-the-art facilities in the relaxed atmosphere of an early 20th Century mountain lodge. |
| Estes Park Conference Center - Estes Park, Colorado |
 This state-of-the-art conferencing facility maintains the grand, rustic architectural character evidenced in successful turn-of-the-century resort projects. Utilizing the work of local craftsmen, indigenous materials were used whenever possible, such as Lodge Pole Pine columns, trusses and beams, custom-molded Colorado sand brick from Pueblo, and several varieties of local quarried Colorado sandstone in Lyons Red and Masonville Buff tones. The main lobby is a splendid 2-story grand space, surrounded by a beautifully detailed pine truss tetrahedron ceiling structure, supported by 18 inch diameter solid pine pillars, centered on the lobby's full height dry-set native sandstone fireplace. The main lobby entrance, flanked by two 40-foot tall red sandstone piers, receives the building's porte-cochere canopy of "Copper-Cote". The 8,100 square foot ballroom, which can be divided into as many as six individual conference rooms, is surrounded by pre-function areas, designed to provide direct access to existing conference facilities at the resort. The building, keenly aware of its past, while serving its present and yearning for the future, creates a restful environment attracting corporate and civic groups in need of a relaxing mountain experience, while expanding the "shoulder" seasons for this mountain community. |
| Hartsel Springs Ranch - Hartsel, Colorado |
 Thorp Associates designed a community center and lodge as the first phase of Hartsel Springs Ranch, a 28,000 acre outdoor recreation resort and retreat near the town of Hartsel, Colorado. Situated at the confluence of the South and Middle Fork of the South Platte River, the site will offer guests world-class fly fishing, equestrian trails, and abundant opportunities for hiking and hunting. Thorp Associates is working in close coordination with Design Studios West who is providing land planning for the project. At 28,000 acres, Hartsel Springs Ranch will offer a wide variety of accommodations to attract a broad segment of Colorado’s retreat and resort market. |
| Taharaa Mountain Lodge - Estes Park, Colorado |
 The luxury bed and breakfast known as "Taharaa" was designed as a 12-unit rustic retreat, which could also provide limited meeting facilities for small, high-level groups. With manager's quarters on site, the facility also includes an exercise area, restaurant facility, meeting rooms, and a grand lobby overlooking the Estes Park Valley. This popular, elegant resort is a favorite of discriminating guests. |
| Estes Park Golf Clubhouse - Estes Park, Colorado |
 The remodeling and expansion of the Estes Park Golf Clubhouse involved documentation of existing conditions and a sensitive remodeling to increase the functionality of one of the oldest structures in the Estes Valley. Maintenance of a mountain rustic character was important to the client, who wanted the project to enhance the building's beautiful mountain setting. |
| Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch Heritage Center - Loveland, Colorado |
 The "Heritage", completed in 1998, was the realization of the owner's dreams and vision for the future. Built to capture the long history of this family-owned guest ranch tucked in the Foothills of Colorado, the facility enabled the owners to bring in expanded kitchen facilities and state-of-the-art amenities now expected by small conferences. The structure utilizes Lodge Pole Pine columns, trusses and beams, and gabled roofline giving a feeling of mountain ranch character. Overlooking a gigantic lawn, lake and the Big Thompson River, the turn-of-the-century character building hugs the site, becoming the focal point and gathering place of the ranch. Family mementos and historical photographs and moss rock fireplace greet guests as they enter the Welcome Center and Heritage Walk. The Grand Hall's main fireplace warms guests as they enjoy meals from the new kitchen facilities or take part in entertainment or dancing. Built with vision and love, the "Heritage" will serve this guest ranch for many years to come. |
| Lionscrest - Lyons, Colorado |
 Situated in the beautiful foothills above Lyons, Colorado, Lionscrest has become one of the most popular event centers in Colorado. Originally designed as a fine home, Thorp Associates has accomplished two additions to the facility to accommodate their business growth. Beside a beautiful lawn overlooking the valley, the structure was designed to include a gracious, grand stairway to the floor of the ballroom, where guests and family can participate in the activities or watch from the mezzanine balcony above. |
| Grand Canyon Suites - Tusayan, Arizona |
 While Thorp Associates was involved in the initial phases of the Tusayan, AZ Master Plan, we were also developing plans for a new lodging facility within the community. More sophisticated visitors to the Grand Canyon were requesting a higher quality accommodation, including suites rather than the standard motel room. Designed on a very tight triangular lot, the Grand Canyon Suites filled this need with 35 units wrapped around a clock tower entry. The native stone base and heavy timber trim help tie this rustic facility to the environment around Grand Canyon National Park. |