A mountaintop estate in Highlands, North Carolina, has entered the market for sale with an unprecedented price tag of $49.99 million.
This figure shatters previous records in the $20 million range and sets a new benchmark for residential sales in the state, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Situated on a sprawling 40-acre parcel within proximity to the charming town, renowned for its resorts and vibrant downtown scene, this extraordinary property offers an additional 18 acres available for purchase at $10 million.
London-based lighting executive Andrew Johnson is the owner of the property — specifically, a trust tied to his family. He used the estate as a vacation home, which the family purchased for $18 million at the time, according to the Journal.
Johnson, speaking on behalf of the family trust, disclosed their emotional connection to the estate telling the outlet how they used to spend their summers there. But because their circumstances have changed, they no longer visit the property as much.
The estate also has two full-time staff.
“People can’t work all year and prepare the house for us not to use it. It’s not fair on the staff,” Johnson told The Journal. “It’s a house that needs a family.”
This mountain-style retreat, initially constructed around 2006, has undergone an extensive $10 million renovation led by Johnson, culminating in its completion this year.
The main house holds four bedrooms and spans about 12,000 square feet.
Features include a wine cellar, a sleeping porch, seven fireplaces and a garden-inspired sitting room adorned with a mural of local birds.
Complementing the main residence is a three-bedroom guesthouse featuring a movie theater.
The grounds feature a pool with sunset views, an outdoor amphitheater, and a dining pavilion for events and parties. An additional pavilion provides views of South Carolina and Georgia.
What’s more, there’s also a croquet court, reflecting the local penchant for the genteel sport. It also features hiking trails, a pond, and meadows and woodlands filled with wildlife.
Facilitating seamless access, the property boasts a helipad, an investment totaling $1.5 million, streamlining travel to and from the Macon County airport.
The helipad allows a 90-minute travel time from New York City, which Johnson often flew into from London.
Listing agent Reed Jackson of Christie’s International Real Estate Highlands/Cashiers and colleague Steve Castellaw hold the listing.
Jackson revealed the property’s valuation is based on the size, as it is considered the largest property in the area. He also highlighted the potential for developers to utilize the land for additional homes.
Reflecting on the broader luxury real estate market, Bonneau Ansley, co-owner of Christie’s International Real Estate Highlands/Cashiers, underscored the enduring demand for remote estates, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.
Demand for these types of estates is high, but few properties become available at this price point, Ansley told the outlet.
