Complete Retreat Center on 185+/- Acres

Detailed Property Information

Heated Square Footage

3,309 s.f. in Harvest House
3,256 s.f. in Owners House
1,560 s.f. in Gatekeepers House
3,200 s.f. in The "Ark"

Year Built

2000

# of Bedrooms

7 Bedrooms in Harvest House
3 Bedrooms in Owner's House
3 Bedrooms in Gatekeepers House

# of Baths

7 full
1 half

Overall Condition

Very good

Acreage

200 +/- (survey recommended)

Surface Water

Meadowfork Branch and small creek on site

Pond/Lake

None

Open Field/Pasture

Approximately 6 acres of cleared pasture and farmland

Nearest Interstate Highway

19+ miles to I-40

Nearest Four Lane Road

19+ miles I-40

Nearest High Density Area

14+ miles (Hot Springs)

Photo Gallery

This amazing 200+ acre retreat center in Madison County is located just across the county line from Asheville.  Its in an area called “Spring Creek” which is between Asheville and the resort town of Hot Springs.  Spring Creek is a lovely farming community in the valley along Highway 209 and features a rehabilitated stone school built by the Works Progress Commission.  It has been converted into a community center with restaurant.  This property is just a few minutes from there.  Click here for an interactive map of the property.

The property has been operated for the past 20 years as a church camp/retreat center hosting innumerable groups and visiting missionaries coming to recharge their batteries after having been overseas for years.  It has a rich heritage in that regard, with the buildings and grounds having been designed specifically for large groups and spiritual reflection.  As such, it is ideally set up for continuance as such or a group camp, family compound, or prepper’s retreat.  It has paved road frontage and though it is tucked away in the mountains, it is a very easy drive.

There are four primary buildings on the property, spread out over the acreage.  The Main House is a three bedroom, two and one half bath totally off-grid log home with wrap around porch.  It is situated at the highest point of the property in total seclusion.  The drive from the paved road to this cabin is nearly one mile in length.  The drive up the mountain is in very good shape with a wide gravel surface that can easily handle large vehicles or even front wheel drive sedans.  Once at the home, you’ll find a couple of support out buildings including a root cellar built into the hillside specifically for the storage of long term supplies and such.  Inside the house is the Master Bedroom and bath on the main level with a large vaulted great room leading up to a large loft that is plumbed for another bath.  The lower level has two bedrooms, a den, another bath and more storage area.  The house is heated with a wood burning fireplace on the main level and wood stove on the lower.  Wall mounted propane space heaters augment the fireplaces.  No air conditioning needed as the house sits at 4,000 feet above sea level.  The entire house is powered by a large scale solar panel array feeding a large battery bank.  Water is supplied via a spring that feeds into a Ram Pump.  If you’ve not seen one of these, you should.  It allows water to be pumped uphill without electricity.  That means, this house is totally energy independent.

The second residential structure is the Main Lodge, also known as the “Harvest House” which is listed as a three bedroom house, but actually laid out with seven guest rooms plus three full baths.  It was designed to handle large groups.  It can easily accommodate more than 20 people at a time. Its an all log home in excellent condition with a wide deck overlooking several acres of grassy field to the greenhouse below.  There are bedrooms on each of the three levels with meeting/living rooms on each as well.  All the furnishings in the lodge are included in the list price.  The lodge sits approximately 1,000′ off the paved road, barely in view from down below and tucked up against the wood line.  Click here for a fully immersive 3D interior tour of the Harvest House.  Meadow Fork Branch, a large year round stream, runs along one side of the property on the opposite side of Meadow Fork Road.  There are also several creeks and springs within the acreage of the property.

Another residential dwelling is a three bedroom, two bath manufactured home (i.e. doublewide) that is every bit as comfortable and nicely finished as any entry level home you’d find.  It is set up in the woods, out of sight from the road and comes fully furnished.  This dwelling is known as “The Gatekeeper Cottage”.

The fourth substantial building is called “The Ark”, its a 3,200 heated square foot one level multi-purpose building designed to handle large group gatherings of up to 200 persons.  After entering through a large vestibule, you come into the large meeting room that is a clear span room with no interior supporting posts.  This means you can configure the layout in any manner you wish.  Off to one side is a large bunk room that can accommodate eight guests in bunk beds along with men’s and women’s restrooms that include multiple shower stalls and toilet stalls.  A large kitchen is in one corner with a large buffet pass through window designed for the feeding of large groups.  Click here for a full 3D interior tour of The Ark.

In addition to the residential dwellings, there is a 120′ x 60′ greenhouse with power and water.  The framing and walls of the greenhouse are in place and in good condition.  This is a very large greenhouse, capable of providing an abundance of food for residents.  The roof covering of the greenhouse is worn and in need of replacing (estimated cost: $7,000).  The main thing is that the structure is there and ready to go, including many elevated planting tables inside.

Overall, this property is very well suited for anyone seeking a conference center arrangement, group home, spiritual retreat, multi-family compound, etc.  There is little to no deferred maintenance and the land is beautiful with part of it abutting USFS lands.  It is definitely off the beaten path, which means better security for those looking to be out of sight, yet its also easily accessed (if you have the directions) via the paved road system to the property.  Call us today to schedule a private showing.