Client Challenge | The Meadows is a 277-acre ranch located two miles from South Main, on the west side of Buena Vista, Colorado. With Mount Princeton in the background and a creek lined with tall cottonwoods running through the property, the land offers stunning scenery. The landowner, who also developed South Main, saw The Meadows' potential as a top venue for music and special events. The goal was to protect the open land for farming, wildlife, and views rather than split the land into separate lots.

Team Approach | Principle has collaborated on The Meadows since 2014. During an on-site planning charrette, we moved away from a standard subdivision and instead designed compact clusters inspired by English Cotswold villages, keeping the meadows, farm, and creek open. We marked out the plan on the land, set up the first festival grounds for the event producer, and helped design and build early infrastructure, including bridges spanning the creek. In 2019, we tested a larger venue for crowds of 25,000 or more. In 2024, we led a design effort for developing a permanent amphitheater, with an entry court and a stage among the cottonwoods.

Project Impact | The Meadows began hosting festivals with Vertex in 2016 and has since welcomed weddings, fundraisers, and events like Campout for the Cause, Seven Peaks, and Renewal. Now, it is home to Meadow Creek, a Colorado music and experience venue run by the landowner and producer Michael Sampliner. Their goal is to create events that are rooted in nature and elevated by music. In August 2026, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard's Field of Vision festival sold out, drawing about 12,000 attendees, and will return in 2027. The meadows, creek, and cottonwoods are still open and preserved.

Location
Buena Vista, Colorado

Client
Landowner

Year
2014-2024

Team
Principle
Craft Design Studio
Dover, Kohl & Partners

Disciplines
Urban Design
Planning

More Info
Meadow Creek