NOLA’s Kupperman Companies to Redevelop Iconic Chalet in Aspen, Colo.

NEW ORLEANS – Kupperman Companies CEO Zach Kupperman, who has developed and invested in The Drifter Hotel, The Joy Theater, Hotel Saint Vincent and other New Orleans properties, has purchased the Mountain Chalet Aspen at the base of Aspen Mountain in partnership with Austin-based McGuire Moorman Hospitality. The Chalet development team will re-envision the hotel with a property-wide renovation, slated to start next year. 

“The Mountain Chalet is a special property that we plan to revitalize with a significant investment,” said Kupperman. “We plan to revamp the hotel in a way that preserves and celebrates its unique history, culture and character. With an excellent location, new restaurants and amenities and a creative renovation, the Mountain Chalet will become a hot spot in Aspen.”

“Every year we get multiple offers to buy the Chalet,” said Craig Melville, the son of Ralph Melville, who built the hotel in 1954 and operated it with his wife Marian until his children took it over. “It’s hard for all of us emotionally, but we can’t get around the good business decision that it is. Kupperman and McGuire were not the highest offer but the deal included an ongoing partnership and their vision for the future of the Mountain Chalet seemed to best suit what our family created, which was most important to us. We are excited that Zach and Larry will carry on the tradition of this unique property started by our father.”  

- Sponsors -

The Chalet development team, which in addition to Kupperman and Larry McGuire includes the Melvilles and partners Elle Florescu, Tom Moorman and Liz Lambert, will re-envision the Chalet with a property-wide renovation. Early plans promise to preserve its original Aspen character and quirks while adding great service, new food and beverage offerings and a world-class adventure concierge program. The chalet will continue to be independently owned and will be operated by McGuire Moorman Hospitality.

Kupperman Companies is also currently partnered with McGuire and Lambert on the multi-million dollar transformation of the Hotel Saint Vincent project in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans. The nearly 150-year-old, 71,500-square-foot former orphanage is being restored into a 75-room boutique hotel with two new restaurants, an event space and private verandas for many of the rooms. Lambert McGuire Design, owned by McGuire and Lambert, is the designer and McGuire Moorman Hospitality will be the operator for the hotel, scheduled to open in June.

The renovation of Mountain Chalet Aspen will begin in 2022.

Digital Sponsors / Become a Sponsor

Follow the issues, companies and people that matter most to business in New Orleans.

Email Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter