Hillside Retreat
story by LESLIE SILVERMAN
HISTORY . SOLITUDE . VIEWS . ADVENTURE . AND GREAT NEIGHBORS .
Not many homes in the Black Hills have it all the way that 11504 Melchert Place in Hill City has . And with its unique octagonal design , you can say it ’ s a property well worth stopping for . It boasts stunning views and creekside living . Nestled just a stone ’ s throw away from the hamlet of Rochford , and a mere hour drive from Hill City , the Northern Hills , Rapid City and Custer .
Deb and Roger ’ s home is nothing short of one of a kind . The main structure is an octagonal atrium salvaged from nearby Terry Peak ski area . It boasts exposed beams , a spiral staircase and a cozy fireplace .
The couple fell in love with the home when it came up for auction in 2007 .
“ The previous owner had taken the old ski lodge at Terry Peak , dismantled it and moved it up here . It was an octagon ,” Roger explains .
Deb continues , “ He finally got the octagon done and then he added these three big boxes , which are the master bedroom , the kitchen and the entryway . He put a spiral staircase in it and had a beautiful garden window that looks out to the northeast in the kitchen . A nice skylight . His wife put the kitchen together . There is so much storage . It was just a dream come true .” Deb explains it was truly her dream home . “ I just thought ‘ oh my gosh , there ’ s my spiral staircase . There ’ s my garden window .’ And he loved the view ,” Deb says as she turns to her husband .
The view “ just stops everybody in their tracks ” as they enter the home , she explains .
The couple really likes to live on top of hills , and this home is perfect for that .
“ You just look out and say , ‘ Oh my gosh .’ Cause you ’ re way up here and you look down at the valley and see Whitetail Peak in the distance ,” Deb says .
The house sits on top of a community hill developed by the Melchers , who sold 12 lots . Yet Deb and Roger say because their lot is on top of the hill , “ We ’ re completely isolated and you look out the front window and you see that limestone bar on top of Whitetail first thing in the morning and it just lights up .” ” Rapid Creek comes through our place ,” Roger adds . A true two by two home ( two bedrooms and two bathrooms ), the layout affords privacy and flow with two-level living in nearly 3,000 sq . ft . of space . There are three huge floor-to-ceiling windows that take up a section of the octagon .
The upstairs and downstairs are mirror images of each other , perfect for a couple or for when guests come to visit . Both levels have a large family room , a bathroom and a generous bedroom . The upstairs also has an office or small bedroom space and a main-level laundry room with access to the garage .
Deb describes the bliss of the serene location of the property .
“ You can sit in the living room , have your fireplace , watch TV and see the storms come over the horizon . And for some reason it ' s kind of strange , the snow storms tend to kind of stop right at Whitetail . If they do come forward you can actually see the line of snow . It ’ s quiet , it ' s not completely isolated but you feel like it ,” she says .
Despite its quiet location the home has quality high-speed internet so the next homeowner can just plug in and play or work if need be .
18 Down Country Roads November / December 2024