A New Village on the Horizon: “Ever Vail” is back—but now it’s called West Lionshead

Summertime in Vail Village

After more than a decade of dormancy, major planning is once again underway for a high-profile piece of land just west of Lionshead—between the Ritz-Carlton Residences and Cascade Village. Formerly dubbed Ever Vail, the project has now been officially renamed West Lionshead, and in a 6-0 vote, Vail’s Town Council has approved key amendments to the original Lionshead Redevelopment Master Plan to move the project forward.

This isn’t a brand-new idea—Vail Resorts already owns most of the land, and millions were spent on early planning efforts well over ten years ago. But with this new framework now in place and economic conditions shifting, we may see real momentum again. Especially if interest rates continue to ease and the economy stays resilient.

💡 Remember: Lower interest rates and moderate inflation are typically tailwinds for real estate—especially for developers who lock in costs early.

That said, don’t expect bulldozers just yet. This vote clears the path for conceptual planning, design phases, and public-private collaboration—including between the Town of Vail, Vail Resorts, and East West Partners. Construction is still down the road.

🛍️ What This Means for Visitors, Locals, and the Valley Economy

If the plan reaches execution, this would be the first entirely new base village since the early 2000s—and it’s being described as a “transformative” vision for Vail Mountain access. The concept includes:

✔️ Luxury residences and hotels

✔️ Gourmet restaurants and boutique shopping

✔️ Trail and transit integration

✔️ A new ski lift portal

✔️ Year-round vibrancy for locals and visitors alike

✔️ Housing for ~1,100 full-time residents

For visitors, this could mean a smoother, less congested experience—more access points, more space to spread out, and more to explore après-ski.

For locals, it means jobs—lots of them. In the short term, construction jobs will increase. In the long term, new businesses and services will need staffing. Resort operations and the trades continue to be the backbone of Eagle County’s job market.

🏡 What It Means for Housing (Hint: Pressure's Coming)

There’s a flip side to growth: housing pressure. New projects bring new jobs—and workers need a place to live, even if temporarily. That demand could further tighten an already-constrained housing market.

📉 If you’re renting and hoping to buy, this might be your signal. Interest rates are expected to continue easing, which will help monthly payment affordability—but competition could increase, and prices may follow.

💼 If you’re an employer, this may be the moment to explore buying employee housing—or risk getting left behind. In Eagle County, nothing makes a job offer more attractive than offering housing as part of the package.

🏗️ For Buyers Eyeing New Construction

If you’re interested in owning a new luxury mountain home, this is one of those “get on the list early” moments. We’ll keep you updated as West Lionshead progresses. When pre-construction opportunities open, acting early can be the difference between buying at release or paying a premium from someone who did.

Those who remember Arrabelle’s release know exactly what I mean.

🔄 One More Note: Balance in the Buzz

It’s worth noting: not everyone in Vail is cheering this expansion. A former mayor recently urged caution, saying many of Vail’s current retail and restaurant businesses are struggling. Even current council members acknowledged that on-the-ground sentiment doesn’t always match the town’s sales tax data, which shows only modest year-over-year declines.

Still, this vote doesn’t greenlight construction—it simply gives the green light to explore what’s possible. As one councilmember put it: “This may be the last opportunity to differentiate the town of Vail as a mountain community and set us apart from our competitive set.”

If you're watching this space—or thinking about your next move in the Vail Valley—let’s talk. Whether you're eyeing investment property, employee housing, or a long-term hold in one of the most iconic resort towns in America, we're here to help.