Real Estate News: Destination Sunriver By Bryce Jones A May 12, 1969 article in the Bend Bulletin opened with the following pronouncement: “Last year may have laid the cornerstone on a new era in Central Oregon, but 1969 will be remembered as the year Sunriver left the drawing board and became a reality.” The former Bryce Jones lakebed had become a regular meeting ground for Native Americans. Soon, explorers such as Kit Carson and John Fremont led the wave of trappers and then settlers to this incredible site at the edge of the high desert. Throughout the next century the land laid undeveloped until the U.S. Army decided the meadow
would make an excellent training ground for its World War II troops. The officers’ lodge that was built there from local timber and stone still stands (the Great Hall). But that war ended and so did this meadow’s role in history – or so it seemed. By the mid-1960s, two Portlanders bought the land and the vision for a resort community was developed. The enthusiastic article suggested that the decision to build a luxury resort on the property was the “biggest plum in the area’s progress pie.” It is no wonder there was so much excitement surrounding Sunriver. At the time, Bend was just beginning the first of many waves of new construction, and Sunriver would add to the new-
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found vibrancy of the area. The developers were shrewd operators and the plans they created laid the groundwork for what would become the rules of resort development. Donald V. McCallum (1918–1987), a Portland attorney, and John D. Gray (1919–2012), founder
although his idea created a small town feeling complete with its own post office, natural wonderland for hiking and biking, skiing, fine dining and of course high desert living, it was the addition of the world class golf courses that made the resort a national destination. Even with so many amenities available, during the late
Oregon has to offer. Inventory levels have remained tight throughout the year and like many communities in Oregon, prices per square foot have steadily increased. Over the last 12 months more than 240 properties have been sold with a median dayson-the-market of just over two months. Prices are well
of Omark Industries, wanted a mix of permanent and parttime residences to compliment the surrounding beauty of this Central Oregon jewel. The proximity to all-season sports made this concept appealing to every income level. Gray is credited with what the Bend Bulletin called “environmental ethic.” His vision of the resort became the template for resorts to follow. By 1993, all of the original lots had been sold and the resort boasted 1,600 full-time residents. And
1980s and through the 1990s, Sunriver had started to lose its luster. Through it all, the community retained its appeal, and recent community-wide updates has given it a new lease on community/resort living. In other words, this queen of the Central Oregon high desert has aged beautifully and because of that still presents a unique opportunity for buyers and sellers. Sunriver remains an affordable option for those looking to take advantage of what Central
off their pre-Great Recession highs but sellers are finding the prices they seek and buyers are finding homes that are well maintained and move-in ready. One of the most exciting features in Sunriver is the availability of a few premium home sites. Many are located central to the community’s numerous features and yet still offer beautiful scenic privacy. With more than 20 different condo and townhouse complexes, Sunriver offers incredible values for full-time or part-time residents and rental/investment properties. These unique offerings are often located in some of the best areas along the Deschutes River, some with golf course frontage, and, as if the scenery wasn’t enough, relatively low association fees. Sunriver is still waiting for you. Sunriver is still THE destination. Bryce is a principal broker with The Jones Group at Sunriver Realty, 541-420-3725.
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SUNRIVER SCENE •
DECEMBER 2016