In a landmark real estate transaction, a billionaire tech mogul has acquired a historic monastery in the Colorado mountains, close to the renowned ski resort town of Aspen.
Alex Karp, the prominent co-founder and CEO of Palantir Technologies, has finalized the purchase of the expansive 3,700-acre St. Benedict’s Monastery in Snowmass, with a price tag of approximately $120 million.
Karp, whose net worth is estimated at $18 billion, established the cutting-edge software and technology company in 2003. Palantir, known for its collaboration with intelligence agencies and the U.S. government, is headquartered in Denver.
This acquisition marks the largest real estate deal ever recorded in Pitkin County, situated a short 30-minute drive from Aspen.
Alongside the vast land, Karp has secured water rights essential for irrigating 1,500 acres, as well as the monastery complex itself, as reported by the Denver Post.
The property, mostly unoccupied, features an array of structures that served the resident Trappist monks. These include residential quarters, a retreat center, a chapel, a library, a dining hall, meeting spaces, several guest cabins, and various agricultural facilities.
The Wall Street Journal connected the sale to Karp after a special warranty deed was revealed on December 15 that Espen LLC had purchased the property.
Karp is believed to be an avid skier. He also owns 20 properties around the world, most of which are near ski resorts, according to Realtor.com.
St. Benedict’s Monastery in Snowmass sold its 3,700-acre estate for $120million
Alex Karp, the co-founder and chief executive of Palantir Technologies, purchased the record setting property
Over 70 years at the property, the monks have used the land in various ways, most recently raising hens, selling eggs and leasing some of the land to a cattle rancher.
‘The new owner is committed to the current and future care of the property, including maintaining the property’s character as a local cattle ranch while preserving habitat for wildlife,’ Mirr Ranch Group said in a release, without naming the buyer.
‘As part of this stewardship, the new owner intends to continue responsible and sustainable agricultural practices and to work with previous users of the property to continue their use of and care for the land.’
It is understood Karp does intend to use the property as a home.
Mirr also not the Journal that this isn’t ‘your typical sale of a property in Aspen with a 20,000-square-foot home on it.’
The real estate agent said there were several interested buyers drawn to the property’s location, size, and distant views of Mount Sopris.
The initial listing price was $150million, largely due to how rare it is to find 3,700 acres of relatively untouched land so close to Aspen and the airport, Mirr told the outlet.
The property had land-use restrictions, meaning agents had to find a buyer who admired the land in its current state, said Mirr.
The monastery has been in operation for nearlt 70 years
The acres of land are relatively untouched, but do feature some buildings which were used by the monks
‘We will miss our brothers,’ said Jeffrey Woodruff, the Pitkin County Commissioner, about possibly losing the monk community.
‘We value their long love of the land. The monastery had brought neighbors together to marvel at the awe of the natural surroundings. The Order of Saint Benedict has guided this valley spiritually for decades.’
Woodruff noted that the community is so thankful to the monks for their vast contributions over their 70 years at the site.
The final public mass at St. Benedict’s would be on January 11, 2026, said Father Damian Carr, according to the Aspen Times.
‘The brothers have tread lightly on our valley and have been mindful of the precious land, wildlife, and watershed,’ Woodruff said.
‘The brothers are a part of our Capitol Creek family. The valley has been their home, a place for the sacred and the profane. We will miss our brothers and the peace they bring to our valley and our hearts.’
