This three-story, 77,960 s.f. orthopedic center marks the first collaboration between two of Colorado’s major mountain health systems – Vail Health and Aspen Valley Hospital – to bring the world-renowned expertise of The Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI) to the Roaring Fork Valley. With the addition of Howard Head Sports Medicine, the center offers a comprehensive continuum of orthopedic care, capable of serving patients at every step of their diagnostic, surgical, and rehabilitative journey.

Situated in the bustling heart of Willits Town Center in Basalt, the new building sits on a sprawling lot with a connected park, emphasizing the indoor/outdoor connection so integral to the region. The building’s exterior, constructed primarily of brick and stone, features a sweeping glazed corner entrance that welcomes patients inside from the town’s main thoroughfare and glows like a lantern when the sun slips behind the surrounding mountains.

The building’s first floor houses a ground-level parking garage, which extends one level below grade; an entry lounge, market, and 3T MRI suite round out the first-floor programming. The second floor comprises a four-OR surgery center with two additional shelled ORs, nine pre-op and 11 recovery bays, three private recovery rooms, and a sterile processing unit. The Steadman Clinic and SPRI Regenerative Medicine Lab share the third floor, along with the Howard Head Sports Medicine therapy gym.

The center’s high-altitude location provides access to care for many surrounding mountain communities whose residents previously had to travel to Vail or Denver for treatment. Proximity to Aspen and nearby ski resorts also makes it a desirable location for visiting patients seeking world-class care and recovery in a beautiful setting. As the center’s reputation draws many well-known athletes and public figures, a private entrance and separate path of travel lead from the parking garage to clinical spaces, allowing more recognizable guests to enter and exit discreetly.

Throughout the building, generous glazing provides optimal visibility of the stunning panoramic mountain views and adjacent park; slatted metal sunshades on the building’s exterior cast filtered shadows that shift and morph throughout the day. The building’s elegant appointment is balanced by a trace of the ruggedness endemic to the High Rockies – luxe, modern furnishings are augmented by sleek fireplaces and glimmering pendant lights, and dark stone accents give a subtle nod to Basalt’s namesake rock formations.