Idaho earns its Gem State nickname with a veritable crown jewel: Tributary, a luxury residential community that proves mountain living can be both rugged and refined.
The mountain-modern Targhee Cabin is marked by reclaimed siding, stacked stone chimneys and aluminum-clad windows.
While Jackson Hole has plenty of activities to lure travelers, on the other side of the Teton Range, about 40 miles west in quiet Teton Valley, Idaho, sits the quaint town of Driggs and its hidden gem, Tributary—a four-season, private club community. The town surrounded by farmland (potatoes, of course) is an outdoorsman’s paradise, with abundant hiking, fly-fishing and golfing.
Tributary’s 18-hole golf course was designed by David McLay-Kidd.
National parks including Grand Teton and Yellowstone are a natural draw in summer, and winter sees an influx of visitors looking to hit the slopes. While flying into Jackson Hole Airport is an option—and increasingly so thanks to new airlines and routes—Driggs boasts its own small airport, so zipping in and out via private plane is an enticing option, especially for Tributary homeowners as it sits directly across the street.
The Tributary Cabin maintains a classic approach inspired by the rustic homesteads of the Teton Valley.
The 1,500-acre, low-density luxury residential community is looking ahead to phase two of an impressive real estate expansion, as well as a highly anticipated 27,000-square-foot clubhouse that will add even more perks for residents when it debuts in late 2021. “For longtime members and those just joining our family, this will be an exciting addition to the club,” says Jeff Heilbrun, director of real estate. “The location is central and a high point of development.” Next up is the planning of 1- and 2-acre homesites and, in the future, a small collection of larger sites in less dense areas of the development. The ultimate goal upon completion is about 350 homesites, and Heilbrun says the interest list continues to grow along with the number of purchases, sharing, “[We are] anticipating over 30 transactions this year including homes and homesites.”
By purchasing Tributary real estate, homeowners become members and gain access to exclusive amenities. “Buyers are trending younger, in their 30s and 40s, and many are from the Midwest, California and Texas,” Heilbrun says. Regardless of their situation, members are known on a first-name basis. At its core, Tributary is centered on building relationships, and those connections begin with its attentive staff.
Tributary offers seven fly-fishing ponds and fishing lessons on-site, plus easy access to nearby rivers and streams, including in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.
Tributary members have a wealth of exclusive on-site recreation options at their fingertips, including an 18-hole David McLay-Kidd-designed golf course, an archery and axthrowing lawn, an ice-skating rink, and snowmobile and cross-country skiing trails. A private 2-mile elevated boardwalk within the property’s 500-acre fen-designated wetlands makes for memorable wildlife-viewing walks, with chances to spot bald eagles and moose. For chillseekers, a wellness facility with a spa, fitness center, pool and two hot tubs beckons. The Barn—Tributary’s charming restaurant and bar, helmed by chef Kevin Humphreys—serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, highlighting fare and craft cocktails with a local, sustainable and organic focus. Off-site, a members-only ski lounge at nearby Grand Targhee Resort is popular among members who enjoy the uncrowded slopes, and anglers can take advantage of numerous mountain-fed fly-fishing streams within a short drive of Tributary.
Targhee Cabin kitchens are outfitted with Earth Elements cabinets and countertops, and appliances from Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove.
Inspired by their surroundings, Tributary’s residences reflect the natural beauty of the Greater Teton Valley. Its two floor plans (four more are to come) nail a distinctly elevated rustic aesthetic with European influences and were designed by Chicago-based architecture firm Northworks. The partnership began in 2019, when Tributary tapped Jackson Hole-based interior design firm WRJ to handle the furnishings, decorative lighting and window coverings of its model homes and clubhouse; WRJ then recommended Northworks for the project and became instrumental in selecting finishes for the new homes. “Everyone came together with a similar philosophy of creating something unique and timeless that would set Tributary apart from other golf and destination residential resorts in the area,” according to WRJ co-founders CEO Rush Jenkins and COO Klaus Baer. “The homes are understated and complement the environment, and feel like mountain cottages from the exterior yet offer quite spacious and beautifully planned interiors.” WRJ sources from an impressive list of brands, from Loro Piana and Ralph Lauren to Poltrona Frau and Janus et Cie, among many others. “It was important to us to have local furniture-makers and drapery fabricators be a part of the Tributary project, namely Jim Berkenfield and Stitch Upholstery,” adds the team.
There’s a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air—the promise of what will make this already great exclusive enclave even greater. Backed by the epic Grand Teton Mountains and led by a team that’s wholeheartedly committed to its members and expansion, Tributary has a lot to look forward to. Everyone on-property spreads a similar message: The best is yet to come.
