Dec. 31–KETCHUM — A Colorado-based company is planning to build a 119-room luxury hotel in Ketchum, modeled after one of its existing properties in Aspen.

Aspen Skiing Company (ASC) announced Tuesday it has purchased property near the Sun Valley’s River Run base of Bald Mountain from Bald Mountain LLC.

ASC spokesman Jeff Hanle said construction is expected to begin this summer, and the company expects the project to be completed in time for the 2016-17 ski season.

“We looked at expanding our brand, and we feel this is a good fit,” Hanle said. He said the Ketchum/Sun Valley community has a similar feel of Aspen, with its “vibrant downtown core.”

Bald Mountain LLC had planned to build the hotel itself, and reports indicate it had applied for several extensions since the original agreement was approved in 2010. It had been awarded a $132,000 tax reimbursement incentive designed to help stimulate economic expansion from the Idaho Department of Commerce.

It is uncertain whether the tax credit will transfer to ASC. Kayla Ruiz of the Idaho Commerce Department said nothing relating to a ASC tax credit has been announced.

The “vast majority” of Bald Mountain’s designs will be included in the hotel, with the exception of minor changes, said Hanle.

The hotel is modeled after the Limelight Hotel in Aspen. ASC said 11 residential units are part of the project.

Estimated cost of the project was not released. Hanle was unsure how many workers would be employed at the hotel.

Greg Randolph, director of public relations in social media for Visit Sun Valley, said the Sun Valley/Ketchum area will benefit from construction of the hotel.

He said he has visited the Limelight location in Colorado. “It is very well done, very tasteful.” Randolph said. “They have a great product.”

He said the property is located central to Ketchum. “It will be in a good location, and hotel guests will be able to walk into town, and it’s in a very convenient location to the ski hill,” he said.

The Sun Valley/Ketchum area has need of the type of luxury hotel the ASC will build, Randolph said. The two-city area has 500 hotel rooms, and will receive “a good boost” with the new hotel.