Brundage Mountain Transforms Historic Building Into Move-In Ready Employee Housing

Brundage Mountain Resort’s ongoing efforts to expand employee housing took a big leap forward this week with the completion of a unique remodeling project in New Meadows.

Last spring, Brundage Mountain purchased a 10,000 square foot stucco building. The building served as Meadows Valley’s High School from 1940 into the early 1970s. The local landmark was completely remodeled over the summer and fall and saw its first new residents move in this month.

The dorm-style “Meadows Haus” now consists of eight double rooms, each with its own bathroom, along with a single room for an on-site property assistant. There is a shared kitchen/dining area on the main floor and a large common room on the lower floor stocked with lounge furniture, game tables, and other recreational amenities. The building also houses a 4,800 square foot gymnasium.

Brundage hired local contractor Finite Concepts, based out of Donnelly, for the remodeling project. Construction crews were able to preserve the building’s solid wood floors while updating wiring, plumbing and the interior layout and finishes. Exterior upgrades already complete include new siding and windows, with landscaping and parking improvements scheduled for next spring.

The site, at 520 Virginia Avenue (Idaho Highway 55) sits just east of the intersection with Highway 95, which gives residents convenient access to dining, shopping and other services offered in New Meadows. Future plans for the site include a small number of tiny homes behind the main building.

Brundage Mountain started consistently providing employee housing in 2017 through a partnership with Shore Lodge as well as on-site at its owned Creekside RV Park & Campground. Since then, Brundage has added housing in additional locations and expects to house approximately 50 employees this winter season. Resort management is pursuing multiple partnerships and initiatives, in addition to the Meadows Haus project, with the goal of increasing that number by 100 or more.

“Offering affordable housing options to our employees is critical in the current housing market, where supplies are limited and costs are high,” says Brundage Mountain General Manager, Ken Rider. “Some of our employees are single and well suited for dorm-style housing, many have spouses, children, and some have their own RVs but need a secure place to hook up. Our short- and long-term housing plans seek to address all these different housing needs.”

A limited amount of employee housing is still available for the Winter 2022-23 season. Job opportunities and job and housing applications can be found at www.brundage.com/employment.