Business & Finance
Slack and Away Founders Sell Aspen Estate for $30 Million
Slack co‑founder Stewart Butterfield and Away co‑founder Jen Rubio sold their Aspen, Colorado, estate for $30 million, closing the transaction in October after the couple announced their separation. The sale was reported by The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, with property records confirming the details.
Butterfield and Rubio bought the nearly five‑acre property in January 2021 for about $25 million, realizing a $5 million gain before expenses even though the final sale price was below their original asking price. The home, located in Aspen’s exclusive Five Trees neighborhood, covers roughly 10,600 sq ft and includes six bedrooms, a home theatre, fitness centre, bar, billiards area, wine cellar and tasting room.
The estate was first listed for $45 million in June 2025, then reduced to $39.5 million in June 2026. It went under contract on August 14, shortly after the couple’s public separation announcement, and the sale closed in October. A special warranty deed names the buyers as David and Erika Sands, believed to be former professional poker players who made deep runs at the 2011 World Series of Poker Main Event.
A spokesperson cited by the Wall Street Journal said the sale was not linked to the separation and that neither Butterfield nor Rubio intended to sell additional properties.
The Aspen transaction is part of a broader portfolio that has included a Manhattan townhouse purchased for $72.5 million in 2024, a Southampton estate bought for $32.2 million, a New Mexico ranch formerly owned by Tom Ford, and a San Francisco Victorian mansion sold for $19.15 million in October 2022. The pair also sold a Tribeca townhouse for $24 million in 2022.
Butterfield co‑founded Slack, which was acquired by Salesforce in 2021 for $27.7 billion, and Rubio co‑founded the luggage brand Away in 2015. Their Aspen sale marks a significant real‑estate transaction amid personal changes, while their other holdings remain part of their investment history.
Frequently asked questions
What was the sale price of the Aspen estate?
$30 million.
Who purchased the Aspen estate?
David and Erika Sands, former professional poker players.