It certainly had a rocky start, but over the past year, Tetherow Resort has really come into its own. The upscale Bend golf community caught my attention several months ago, when I noticed a fairly dramatic increase in sales activity there. Meanwhile, this spring several large-scale construction projects (including a new golf academy, restaurant expansion and new overnight lodging) were launched. Recently, when I stopped by the Tetherow Clubhouse to take a few pictures, I ran into a local mortgage broker I know (an avid golfer), who told me he believes the development is well on its way to becoming the “jewel of Central Oregon.”
He might well be on to something.
Click here to see properties for sale in Tetherow.
Bend’s newest destination resort, located on the western edge of the city en route to Mount Bachelor, was first announced back in 2007 — just as Bend’s boom was about to bust. Named after historic pioneer Solomon Tetherow (who led a wagon train party through Central Oregon in the mid-1800s as they traveled from Missouri to Oregon), Tetherow was originally envisioned as 379 single-family lots spread across 700 acres, surrounding a championship golf course, a 150-room hotel, a spa and a restaurant.
Back then, Arrowood Tetherow LLC, the resort’s master developer, had three development partners: Spring Capital (a subsidiary of TD Cascade Highlands), which owned 188 of the 302 platted lots; Proterra Bend I LLC, which controlled 68 residential lots; and Arrowood Tetherow, which owned 46 residential lots, the golf course, the 12-acre hotel property, the 12-acre overnight lodge home property and the 42-acre townhome property.
Initially, lot sales at the scenic 700-acre site were brisk, with many selling for more than $600,000. Tetherow’s unique 18-hole golf course -– designed by noted Bend resident David McLay Kidd, the award-winning architect of Bandon Dunes and the new St. Andrews Castle Course in Scotland — opened in the summer of 2008 to much fanfare. It even received the official stamp of approval from Golf magazine, which dubbed Tetherow as “the Best New Course You Can Play in The Country” that year.
By then, however, the Central Oregon real estate market had begun to sour, and things took a decided (and lengthy) downturn. The next five years brought a flurry of restructuring — including loan defaults, foreclosures and a series of ownership changes — but little additional development.
Interestingly, throughout the lean years, the rotating cast of Tetherow developers was confident that the vision for Tetherow would ultimately succeed. And, given all that the resort has inherently working in its favor, it’s easy to see why.
First off, the setting is breathtaking. Virtually hidden from the nearby Cascade Highway by its distinctive rumbling topography, the elevated site offers sweeping panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains and a sense of wide-open space that defies its location just minutes from town. Equally as appealing as the resort’s close proximity to the heart of Bend is its proximity to hiking and biking trails (the Deschutes National Forest is right next door) and to Mount Bachelor (just down the road).
Then there’s the award-winning Scottish heathlands-style golf course –- with a design unlike any other in Central Oregon — which takes full advantage of this archetypal high-desert landscape. To its credit, this is the first course in Oregon to become an Audubon International Certified Signature Sanctuary. The course has also earned kudos over the years from just about every golf-related publication out there (including Golf magazine, Golf Digest, Golf Weekly and Links Magazine).
So it shouldn’t really come as a surprise to see Tetherow’s fortunes change. Sure enough, during the past year, Tetherow has experienced a very attention-getting turn of events. Earlier this year, a new golf academy opened at the resort. By summer, an expansion of the clubhouse restaurant, The Grill, and the addition of a new more-informal pub, The Row, was well on its way (it’s scheduled to be complete sometime this fall).
But it was the announcement that construction was to begin on the long-awaited boutique hotel (with its infusion of county-required overnight lodging) that garnered the most press and, for many in the business, brought a sigh of relief. Tetherow Lodges, set to open next spring, will feature two hotel buildings located on either side of the golf course clubhouse: The West Lodge will have 24 oversize guest rooms; the East Lodge will have 26 rooms. Still to come: a full-service athletic club and spa, plus a fully equipped conference center.
Meanwhile, sales of parcels, homes and townhomes within Tetherow have increased significantly. From 2007 through 2011, only one home and 59 lots sold. Since August of 2012, there have been 38 lots sold, plus 10 homes and three townhomes. As of Sept. 23, there were another four lots, two homes and six townhomes under contract. As of Sept 23, there were 19 lots, three homes and four townhomes listed as available for purchase on the Central Oregon Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
The Tetherow Community
Within Tetherow, there are four neighborhoods:
The Heath – Located in the heart of Tetherow, this neighborhood features a range of lots, with some situated on the links-style golf course and others on the bluff with dramatic Cascade Mountain views. Some lots offer direct access to the Deschutes National Forest.
The Glen — Located on the southeastern edge of the development, this neighborhood has a more secluded, intimate feel. Studded with Ponderosa pines, the lots offer views of the golf course and of the Cascade Mountains.
The Crescent — Located on the northeastern edge (adjacent to Broken Top golf course on the east and Tetherow golf course to the west), this neighborhood features a park-like setting and spacious lots with dramatic views of the Sisters and Mount Bachelor mountains.
Tripleknot — A series of townhomes by Arrowood Development, LLC, these wholly owned units nestled against the 10th and 11th fairways of the Tetherow golf course provide open floor plans, luxurious finishes and custom options. As part of its maintenance-free lifestyle, Tripleknot’s homeowners’ association provides all building exterior and landscape maintenance, snow removal and insurance.
Homeowner Info
Currently, the price of lots in Tetherow listed on the Central Oregon MLS ranges from $178,000 to $378,000. Townhomes for sale range from $589,750 to $689,750. Homes for sale range from $859,500 to $1,450,000.
Within Tetherow, there is no timeline for building a home and no specific builder required. The Crescent and Heath home sites average more than one-half acre; The Glen home sites average 17,500 square feet. The minimum square footage for homes varies from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet for all three neighborhoods. The home footprint can consume no more than 50 percent of a property.
Tetherow does have a homeowners’ association (HOA). HOA dues include the costs of maintaining private roads, landscaping, gates and other common areas. Current HOA dues per month are as follows: Heath $144, Crescent $93, Glen $147. Association fees are higher for properties that receive additional services ((lodge homes and townhomes) to cover those specific services and maintenance tasks.
The character of homes built in Tetherow is required to echo the traditions of Oregon and the Northwest. Guidelines for design are administered and enforced by the Tetherow Owners Association Architectural Review Committee.
Tetherow Golf Club includes an 18-hole championship golf course, a nine-hole par-three course, a full practice facility with putting greens and a short-game learning center. Although Tetherow is a private resort golf club, until the hotel is build, it’s open for limited daily-fee play.
The initial Membership Deposit in the Golf Club for resident and non-resident golf members is $30,000. A golf membership (with the exception of national golf members) may be sold through the Club to prospective members who are accepted for membership in the Club. A resident golf membership may also be transferred to the purchaser of a resident golf member’s property. The prospective purchaser must be accepted into membership by the Club and pay the required membership deposit or transfer fee as applicable.
The Club is authorized to issue up to 375 golf memberships in Resident, Non-Resident, Business and National Golf membership categories. The Club may also issue a limited number of Intermediate golf memberships. The Club has reserved the right to recall Non-Resident and National Golf Memberships. Club members will have preferential tee times under the Club’s Tee time Policy.
Social/Athletic dues (paid by all property owners) are $195 per month. Golf dues are $490 per month as of April 1, 2012. Junior Executive Members pay $390 per month.
Golf memberships are transferable through the Club. Heath and Glen home sites with Resident Memberships may be transferred to other property owners at any time.
Find a Home
Here’s a list of the current lots listed for sale in Tetherow.
Here’s a list of the current townhomes listed for sale in Tetherow.
Here’s a list of the current homes listed for sale in Tetherow.
If you’d lime more information about homes for sale in Tetherow, please contact me at 541-480-0987.
