Cotton Flat

Cotton Flat is a magnificent 57-acre (+/-) high-country estate in Alpine, Arizona, surrounded by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The 8,300-square-foot under roof residence is a true work of art, featuring three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, and exceptional craftsmanship with thoughtful attention to detail throughout. The gated and fenced estate includes a distinctive barn suitable for horses, vehicles, or additional storage.

Land

Set at 8,200 feet elevation in the high country of eastern Arizona, Cotton Flat encompasses approximately 57 acres of private land with the rare distinction of being surrounded by U.S. Forest Service lands. This exceptional setting provides privacy, seclusion, and an immediate connection to the expansive public lands and natural beauty that define the Alpine region.
The property offers a combination of open high-country character, mature trees, and a tranquil setting that feels far removed from the pace of everyday life. The fenced perimeter and security gate provide an additional level of privacy and controlled access.
Experience a rare level of nighttime tranquility with true dark-sky conditions and virtually no visible artificial light. Once the sun sets, the property is enveloped in natural darkness, creating exceptional views of the night sky, stars, and Milky Way. With no neighboring lights visible from the home, evenings here offer a remarkable sense of privacy, peace, and connection to the surrounding landscape.  Despite this sense of seclusion, the property is just 4 miles away from the town of Alpine, which has a post office, library, market, gas station, and several restaurants.

Improvements

At the heart of Cotton Flat is an approximately 8,300-square-foot under roof custom residence that is unlike anything else in the market. Every aspect of the home was carefully considered, resulting in a timeless design that showcases superior materials, skilled workmanship, and a level of detail and care that is evident in every finish.
Throughout the home, extensive solid cherry custom woodwork, windows framed in solid cedar, and a dedicated library with 30 feet of shelf space create a warm, timeless atmosphere rich in character. The residence features three bedrooms, three full bathrooms and one half-bath, with every space thoughtfully designed with an emphasis on enduring craftsmanship rather than passing trends.
The home was thoughtfully designed to take advantage of the high-country sun, maximizing solar gain during the winter months while minimizing it during summer. In summer, direct western sunlight reaches the home primarily in the late afternoon, with very little direct exposure earlier in the day. During winter, the lower angle of the sun provides substantial direct sunlight throughout the day, creating noticeable warmth and making a meaningful difference in the comfort and efficiency of the home.
The kitchen area is warm and inviting, with solid cherry cabinetry, Brazilian granite countertops, and a center island with four feet of walking clearance on all sides.  Bar seating encourages conversation and connection. Perfect for entertaining, the kitchen includes a Sub-Zero refrigerator and separate freezer, two sinks, dishwasher, and a Viking six-burner stove with griddle. The dining area has floor-length windows that allow you to fully appreciate a South-facing view across an expansive meadow.
A spacious master suite with hardwood Brazilian walnut floors and a high, sloping ceiling, invites you to get cozy with a beehive Santa-Fe style Rumford fireplace. A custom cabinet-lined hallway takes you to the master bathroom, which features Travertine flooring, a built-in soaking tub, his and her sinks, and a wall of windows facing out to the privacy of tall pine trees beyond. A large dressing room off of the master bath offers ample closet space.
One of the property’s most remarkable features live within the bar/game room adjacent to the great room: an original historic bar dating to the late 1800s, originally associated with Jerome, Arizona. The bar adds an impressive piece of Arizona history to an already exceptional residence. The game room also includes liquor cabinets from the late 1800s, a professional pool table and dart-throwing area with inlaid marble throwing line.
The three-car garage and shop building is attached to the house by a covered breezeway, featuring dowel/pegged columns and a flagstone walkway.
The estate is secured by fencing and a gated entrance. A post and beam barn with a soaring ceiling designed to capture and celebrate natural light provides versatile space suitable for horses, vehicles, equipment, hobbies, or storage.
Highlights of this beautiful estate include:

Custom windows and doors are made of solid Alaskan Yellow Cedar
All hardware on doors, windows, drawer pulls, etc., are Rocky Mountain Hardware cast bronze
Solid cherry paneling and woodwork throughout
Approximately two-thirds of the residence floors are Turkish Travertine, the remainder hard Brazilian walnut
Radiant in-floor heat with a backup forced-air system which can also be used for air conditioning
Home ceiling ranges from 10 feet in height to a soaring ~20 feet at its apex in the great room
Three Rumford fireplaces, modified to bring in outside combustion air
Natural light is an essential element of the home, which was designed to maximize solar gain in the winter and minimize sun in the summer
Viking 6-burner stove with griddle
Brazilian Granite countertops
Covered porch with grill and teak cabinetry
Expansive flagstone patio with firepit. The flagstone continues and wraps around the South side of the home
Recirculation loop in the hot water system, providing instant hot water at all taps in the house
Backup 20KW generator
2,500 gallons of storage capacity for propane
5,000 gallon water tank feeds the house and is fed at 17gpm from a well at the SW corner of the property

 

Recreation

Cotton Flat’s location provides exceptional access to the recreational opportunities of Arizona’s White Mountains. With the property surrounded by U.S. Forest Service land, outdoor recreation begins virtually at the property’s boundaries.
The surrounding region is renowned for hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, camping, and exploring the extensive network of public lands throughout the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.

Agriculture

The fenced acreage and post and beam barn provide an excellent foundation for an equestrian or hobby property. The barn offers space suitable for horses, vehicles, equipment, or other ranch and recreational uses.

Water/Mineral Rights & Natural Resources

Water rights, wells, utilities, and mineral rights are subject to verification and should be confirmed during due diligence.

General Operations

Cotton Flat offers the rare opportunity to own a private high-country estate with substantial acreage while enjoying the extraordinary privacy created by its surrounding Forest Service lands. The gated and fenced property provides a sense of security and separation, while the barn adds functional flexibility for equestrian, automotive, recreational, or ranch-related pursuits.

Region & Climate

Alpine is one of Arizona’s premier high-country communities, known for its cool summers, four-season climate, mountain scenery, and access to some of the state’s most spectacular public lands. Located in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona, the community provides a unique combination of small-town character, outdoor recreation, and high-elevation living.

History

Cotton Flat’s character extends beyond its architecture. The estate incorporates an original 1800s bar associated with Jerome, Arizona, bringing a tangible piece of Arizona’s frontier history into this remarkable mountain residence.
Properties of this caliber –combining significant acreage, Forest Service surroundings, exceptional craftsmanship, historic character, and a truly private setting– rarely become available. Cotton Flat is more than a high-country home; it is a distinctive Arizona estate built to be appreciated for generations.