An heir to the Sinton Dairy estate in mid-October purchased a 16,594-square-foot ranch-style home in the Broadmoor neighborhood for a record $8 million, El Paso County land records show, per the Colorado Springs Gazette.

Details: The roughly 55-acre property boasts a duck pond and a trickling stream, a chicken coop and a tree house.

Driving the news: The transaction comes amid a surge in Pikes Peak-region home sales priced at more than $1 million, the Gazette reported.

• More than 320 sales of $1 million+ homes were recorded during the first eight months of 2021, per the Pikes Peak Association of Realtors.

Zoom out: Though we mostly concentrate on the Denver housing market, this historic sale got us thinking about Colorado Springs real estate and specifically luxury properties in the area.

Here are a couple gems we unearthed from our neighbor to the south:

980 Char Lane — $1,550,000

Why we love it: Resting on a 1-acre property perched above the "City in the Clouds," this enclave has a mix of western stylings and old world charm.

• Neighborhood: Woodland Park
• Realtor: Shawn Kelley, Compass
• Specs: 5 beds, 6.5 baths, 7,306 square feet
• Notable features: Theater room, secondary entrance via a spiral staircase. Sauna, kids play loft, solarium with hot tub and an elevator.

11 W. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd. — $2,500,000

Why we love it: This rustic estate in the heart of the Old Broadmoor neighborhood is nestled on a 3+ acre lot, complete with seven (!) fireplaces.

• Neighborhood: Southwest Colorado Springs
• Realtor: Tony Clement — RE/MAX Properties Inc.
• Specs: 5 beds, 5.5 baths, 8,713 square feet
• Notable features: Attached greenhouse, Cheyenne Mountain views, covered rear patio, bordering Pourtales Park. Beamed ceiling, formal living room with built-ins and French doors.