24 Sol Grande Norte, El Prado, NM 87529

Located in Des Montes in an exclusive subdivision on land previously owned by Dartmouth College, this stunning home sits on 7.9 acres of private grounds with spectacular mountain views. Designed and built by Robert Ritter, this beautiful four-bedroom, five-bathroom territorial style home offers unique features at every turn. From the Spanish tile roof to the polished diamond finish adobe walls, and from the hand-hewn doors and Mahogany cabinets to the Italian tile flooring, you will know you are in an exceptional home. Thoughtfully chosen lighting fixtures include high hats and spotlights throughout, punched tin light covers in the bathrooms, wrought iron chandeliers, and copper sconces around the exterior controlled by a Lutron system to set scenes. The breathtaking great room comprises the living/dining room and kitchen area with soaring 21 foot-high post-and-beam ceilings, a large fireplace, large divided windows and five sets of French doors leading to covered portals and gardens with expansive views from each side. The gourmet chef's kitchen features honed sandstone countertops (which also run throughout the rest of the home), a farm style sink, wet bar, over-sized island, custom cabinets, a large pantry and a pristine Thermador professional six-burner dual-fuel range. A Juliet balcony overlooks the kitchen from the second floor. The north wing of the home offers the vestibule with closet, and a quaint sitting area with built-in bookshelf, which leads to a generous master suite with his and hers walk-in closet, kiva fireplace, and exterior door leading to the east facing covered patio and gardens. The master bathroom features a large sunken Jacuzzi bathtub with mountain views, a walk-in shower, built-in bancos, a private water closet, twin salmon stone vessel sinks, stone counters, and plenty of storage. A spacious but cozy den located off the kitchen features an adobe banco, a large plastered nicho for the TV, raised kiva fireplace, built-in book shelves/nichos, and split cedar Latia ceiling with large vigas. An exterior French door leads to a patio with an in-ground hot tub. From the den, there is also access to two additional en suite bedrooms as well as to a fifth bathroom with a full-size steam sauna, a laundry/mud room, access to the garage, and a back staircase leading to the very large open plan second-floor area. The 1,280 sq ft upstairs area, currently used as an office but easily converted into a separate living area/bedroom, is already equipped with all hook-ups to install a kitchenette. The upstairs also has a full bathroom, kiva fireplace, built-in cabinets, and access to exterior balconies with unrivaled views east to the mountains and south to town. In addition to the interior staircase (fitted with the support structure and wiring required for a stair-chair if needed), there is also a private exterior entrance. The home has a ~1,000 sq ft attached three-car garage (where the home's mechanical room is located) and an additional ~700 sq ft detached studio/garage/workspace (which is where you will find the hot tub mechanical room featuring two high-value propulsion pumps.) The outside areas are delineated by charming handmade wooden garden gates and an adobe wall surrounding the home. The grounds are fitted with a sophisticated irrigation system and the covered patios on the east and west sides provide shade. The east patio features great views, access to much of the acreage, and a built in BBQ. This location affords quick access into Arroyo Seco, nine miles further to Taos Ski Valley and easy access south to Taos town and west out to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.