Property Description
PROUDLY PRESENTED BY TRACY RAICH, BROKER RAICH MONTANA PROPERTIES LLC & DAN VERMILLION AGENT, SWEETWATER RANCH PROPERTIES, LLC
Big 5 Ranch is situated in Livingston, Montana, a legendary western town recognized for its hospitality, scenic landscapes, and welcoming community dedicated to this special region of the West. Livingston, with a population of around 9,000 serves as the original gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Big 5 is conveniently positioned between Livingston and Bozeman and is ideal for a family, corporate or hunting retreat, just minutes from downtown Livingston.
Big 5 presents and exceptional Montana lifestyle opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts with its excellent location and combination of dramatic natural beauty, robust wildlife populations, and architectural brilliance. The ranch encompasses ± 514 acres of timbered covered hillsides and native vegetation which provides a private setting with expansive views that will take your breath away.
Big 5’s residence emerges from the secluded woods and sprawling mountains via a winding driveway. Inspired by Montana’s historic homesteads, the timeless design by Centre Sky Architecture is unobtrusive and feels as if it has always been part of the landscape. It is discreet yet elegant and cozy. The floor plan works as well for two people as it does for 10. Special features such as reclaimed materials, local stone, and a vegetative garage roof tucked into the hillside amplifies a modern-day Montana Ranch aesthetic destined to be enjoyed for generations.
Wildlife at the Big 5 is plentiful. It is common to see elk and deer sprinkled throughout the ranch’s hillsides and meadows. Moose, Sandhill Cranes, mountain grouse, occasional Hungarian partridge, songbirds and many other species of wildlife find refuge at the ranch. Extensive trail networks throughout provide ample opportunities to observe and appreciate the diverse wildlife at the Big 5.
TIMELESS RANCH RESIDENCE
Conceptualizing an established homestead cabin that had been added onto over the years, the architects designed three connected pods, each with panoramic windowed hallways. The central area contains the great room’s kitchen, dining and living areas. Stunning vistas and the fabulous fireplace are the focal point of the central area. Accessed by the sitting area off the kitchen, is a beautiful outdoor cooking area with a massive two-sided stone fireplace and two separate seating areas. A lovely deck overlooking the pond is accessible from the kitchen, dining and living areas. Flanked on one side of the central area is the master suite wing with large windows facing the serene pond, a large walk-in closet, bedroom with access to deck and pond. The master bath features creamy handmade tiles, whitewash shiplap, two sinks, a soaking tub, and large shower. The opposite wing is accessed by two glass adorned hallways leading to the well-appointed mud/laundry room, a 3/4 bath and cozy sitting area that ultimately leads to two main floor guest bedroom suites, plus a cozy loft space for children & adults.
Strategic materials, like reclaimed oak siding, granary wood, asymmetrical boulders, Douglas fir beams, Montana moss stone, handmade tiles, a metal roof, and craggy chimney caps, evoke a historic homestead feel. Instead of sheetrock, the house uses reclaimed timber, French oak hardwoods, hand applied plaster, and shiplap across its ± 4,200 square feet to maintain an elegant but comfortable atmosphere.
Achieving an intentionally aged aesthetic was central to the success of the home design, while deliberate attention to detail acknowledges elements of 21st-century architecture and introduces refined modernity. These features include black architectural steel accents, angled columns, and sleek black windows, which not only provide framed views of the landscape from each room but also serve as integral artistic components within the residence. The subdued color scheme reflects the natural surroundings, supporting an interior that is both earthy and organic. Every finish was hand-selected by interior designer Kathy Tatom to further reinforce the home’s Western character.
Architect: Centre Sky Architecture, Ltd
Builder: Sievert Construction
Year Built: 2019
Square feet: 4257 heated living area, 526 basement- mechanical room, 1,300 decks & porches, 28’ x 46’ garage (source: Montana Cadastral)
Exterior: reclaimed oak horizontal stacked log, granary wood, Montana moss stone
Roof: residence-seamless steel, garage-vegetative garage roof
Windows/Doors: Sierra Pacific, some doors custom made of barnwood by Big Sky Wood Products
Insulation: primarily spray foam, some mineral fiber batt
Beams: reclaimed Douglas fir wood beams ground the great room
Fireplaces: 3, Montana moss stone
Flooring: French white oak, tile, stone
Cabinets, Door, Trim: all cabinets, doors and trim are handcrafted by Homestead Woods
Kitchen Appliances: Thermador 6 burner gas range w/two ovens, handmade pressed steel hood set against handmade tiles from Morocco, 3 – sinks, 2 – Thermador refrigerators, Microwave
Bedrooms: 5 (including the upstairs loft with two twin beds and a queen)
Bathrooms: 4
Domestic Water System: private well, water softener system
Fire Suppression System: deluxe “Automist” system designed to quickly target a fire at its source using less water to minimize fire & water damage
Heating/Cooling: Lennox forced air, radiant heat – bathroom floors, central ac
Propane: 2-1,000-gallon buried propane tanks, serviced by Amerigas
Electricity: Northwest Energy
Internet: WispWest (Wifi)
Security System: Security Solutions
Pond: Pond & Stream Consulting-Bozeman, 0.25 acres, mechanical aerator, completely lined with 60-mil HDPE, has a maximum depth of just over 12 feet and is filled and maintained off the home’s domestic system using a timer and appropriate valving
Property Taxes: 2024 = $17,000
Sanitation: permitted septic system for 7 bedrooms
OTHER RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Big 5 feels extremely remote yet is accessible to world class amenities throughout this part of southwestern Montana.
Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking trails on the ranch and in the area are plentiful. The Big 5 has miles of ranch roads that make for wonderful mountain bike trails or, in the winter, cross country ski trails.
Day trips to Yellowstone are a breeze with the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park about an hour drive. Bridger Bowl Ski Area https://bridgerbowl.com/and Cross Cut Mountain Ski Center https://www.crosscutmt.org/ are also located about an hour from the ranch.
