Masterpieces Among the Mountains

Dreaming about what his retirement might look like, Martin Dougherty was sure of one thing: It had to include a lot of golf, preferably with a mountainous backdrop. A transplant to Florida after residing in Boise, Idaho, for many years, he was also eager to return to the Gem State with his wife Lisa.

The couple found themselves regularly vacationing in McCall, Idaho, enamored with its idyllic small-town feel and breathtaking views of Payette Lake and the Salmon River Mountains. Martin and Lisa felt right at home in the peaceful setting, enjoying the world-class 18-hole, par-72 golf course within the premier private community at Whitetail Club. It wasn’t long before they started envisioning a more permanent life for themselves here.

Fortunately, Whitetail Club, which comprises a spacious 1,300 acres, is brimming with residential opportunities. In fact, their Design Build Collection makes creating exclusive custom builds within its prestigious confines both simple and incredibly special.

“We built this to eventually be our primary home,” Martin says. “We’ve had the property for about two years and designed it to include a nice guest area. We have a lot of friends and family come through the door in the summer, and it’s great to have them. I think we get more visitors out here than we've had over the years living in Florida.”

The Beauty in the Build

To achieve their dream home, the Doughertys worked with Jevon Truex, one of the architects recommended by Whitetail Club. They felt great comfort knowing he was familiar with both McCall’s landscape and Whitetail Club’s design review committee process.

“We didn’t know exactly what we wanted at the beginning,” Martin says. “We had some ideas, but didn’t know how to bring it all together. Jevon presented some early plans and it really helped us get through the process. We’re very happy with the finished product.”

Ultimately, their home’s aesthetic is considered “mountain modern,” which is a well-appointed mix of rustic and contemporary touches. Lisa worked with the build team to incorporate her appreciation for antiques into the design, creating a one-of-a-kind environment that is uniquely them.

“I think there’s something really magical about taking old things and finding new uses for them,” she says. “I found some old French doors and lanterns that I fixed up, bringing a sense of old to new construction.”

Design in Mind

Lisa Beck and Wayne Ruemmele, owners of Epikos Land Planning + Architecture, are based in McCall and well-versed in the area’s terrain and seasonal challenges. When working with clients customizing homes at Whitetail Club, the goal is to both celebrate the land on which they’re building and listen closely to the needs and wants of the homeowner.

“We use this opportunity to tailor a custom home to our clients’ wishes and get to understand the rhythm of how they live their lives,” Beck says. “For example, are they morning people? Do they have dogs? Are they art collectors? The more we learn about their daily routines, we can go beyond just functional spaces and truly design surroundings to help them enjoy their time at home. We love creating these great moments for people.”

To create a smooth experience for their clients, LEED-accredited professionals Beck and Ruemmele like to bring in a builder or general contractor early in the process to help fulfill the project in a more efficient manner. They note that the builder is a valuable team member in executing the architectural vision that has been laid out.

“For us, the creative process is really enjoyable,” Ruemmele says. “We like to meet our clients, see the site and then synthesize those things into a design and continue all the way through the construction. It’s very satisfying to see something created that was a combined vision from many different sources.”

To maximize the longevity of the homes built in a locale with four very distinct seasons, the architects look to durable materials that are more timeless than trendy. Stone is often used as a natural and low-maintenance component that can really stand up to the elements of McCall’s mountain climate.

Beck and Ruemmele designed Whitetail Club’s “Mountain Time” design model, which speaks to the duo’s eye toward that enduring concept.

“I look at longevity in design not just in terms of durable materials but also as it relates to the function of the house,” Beck says. “I think the ability to create a home that includes multigenerational spaces that seamlessly perform as you introduce young kids and as people age is really important.”

A Warm Welcome

Shaping homes that suit people of all generations with different interests blends well with the overarching mission of Whitetail Club.

“We’ve always been family focused,” says Tom Garcia, Whitetail Club president. “That’s a common thread that we have in our brand statement. Everybody loves the small-town vibe, but as we continue to grow, we’re evolving while continuing to create those generational memories. We are seeing members’ children growing up to become members themselves. There’s a sense of connectivity here that’s really special.”

So confident that people will fall in love with the property in a single visit, interested buyers can partake in one of Whitetail Club’s Discovery Tour packages. This program allows prospective residents to stay at one of the community’s Discovery Cottages at a special rate, allowing full immersion in the Whitetail Club experience with access to the entire property and its benefits. These cottages have all of the charm and splendor you’ll find among the custom builds.

Whitetail’s cumulative sales growth over the past year is a testament to the idea that they are delivering a premier, personalized experience for members and residents. Referencing the phrase, “If you know, you know,” Garcia says once people discover McCall, specifically Whitetail Club, it makes for great conversation when they return home. It’s referrals from within the community that attract a lot of new interest from those looking for a second, third or primary home with spectacular scenery.

“We have a great group of members from all over the country that all really enjoy each other, making for a fantastic experience,” Garcia says. “Members do a lot of things together, and our team coordinates a robust, year-round events calendar with activities ranging from ATV trips into the wild to our concert series to signature golf tournaments, food and wine experiences and world-class Nordic skiing. Once someone discovers Whitetail Club and makes the trip to see it in person, they realize all that our neck of the woods has to offer. It changes the game. These in-person visits have significantly increased the demand for living at Whitetail Club.”

Echoing the sentiments about Whitetail Club’s wonderful members, Martin says the warm welcome he and Lisa received upon their arrival was unexpected and appreciated.

“It did surprise us how many friends we’ve made because everybody’s very social,” he says. “I remember our first event, within days of joining. We made some of the best friends we still have that very first night. Now that we have been here for a while, we’re trying to pay that forward and welcome the new people that come in. Whitetail is so much more than the amenities and facilities. It’s the wonderful people too.”

Once a person learns about Whitetail Club and comes out to visit, it’s an eye-opening experience.