Vail landmark slated for facelift

VAIL — Vail Village’s iconic clock tower will probably change its look in the next few years, building owner David Gorsuch said

Gorsuch is planning to redevelop the Clock Tower Building, which houses the flagship branch of his store, Gorsuch Ltd.

“We have several ideas” for the tower, he said. “It will be a consensus.”

Residents will have a chance to give some input on what a new clock tower should look like, he said.

The new building wouldn’t change the makeup of the building, which houses Gorsuch and the Ore House, Gorsuch said.

“It won’t be anything different than what it is,” he said. “We don’t have plans to build zillion-dollar condos.”

Gorsuch Ltd. probably won’t be any bigger in its new building, he said.

The redevelopment would happen over the next couple of years, though an application hasn’t yet been submitted to the town, Gorsuch said.

The construction would happen over the course of one summer, Gorsuch said.

The building was built in the mid-60s and needs to be redone, he said.

“It’s very old,” he said.

One reason is to bring it in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, he said.

Town officials have said they want a new clock tower to be prominent, Gorsuch said.

“The tower will stay, but we will probably raise it,” he said.

Dave and Renie Gorsuch, former Olympic skiers, opened their Vail store in 1966. They have since opened stores in Beaver Creek, Aspen and Keystone.

Gorsuch Ltd. occupied the first floor when it opened in 1966, but over the years has grown to occupy several floors.

The Clock Tower Building, built by John McBride in 1963, originally had apartments on the upper floors.



Staff Writer Edward Stoner can be reached at 748-2929 or estoner@vaildaily.com.