Southern Living™ magazine selected French Broad Crossing (FBC) as one of their premier “Inspired Living” communities: a distinction that’s bestowed on just a select few properties across the country.
In addition, French Broad Crossing is among a handful of communities that will showcase a 2016 Southern Living Inspired Home. It was chosen because of its breathtaking mountain location along the French Broad River, poised atop hundreds of acres of land that’s been placed in conservation easements—and thus protected for all time from future development. “We’ve seen a definite shift in buyer behavior in the past few years, away from the so-called country-club lifestyle, in favor of more sustainable nature preserves.” says Jack Fisher, Owner and Founder of French Broad Crossing. “Families today are looking for an authentic connection with nature, a place they know will be around for generation after generation.”
Life on the River
Imagine living in your own National Park. That’s precisely the living experience that French Broad Crossing bestows upon families fortunate enough to call this community home. Located along the ancient French Broad River—said by geologists to be the third oldest river in the world—the community is seemingly worlds away from the stress and toil of everyday life, yet conveniently for homeowners, it’s just a short drive from the cultural enticements of downtown Asheville, NC. Within the gates at French Broad Crossing lies a multi-faceted lifestyle that is deeply gratifying. Families have access to acres of carefully protected wilderness along the river—as well as a wide range of finished amenities, that include: a rustically elegant River Lodge overlooking the River; a Wellness Facility & Outdoor Pool; a Riverfront Family Park & Pavilion (ideal for fly fishing and easy river access); a masterfully crafted Tree House hidden deep in The Bluffs, complete with an outdoor fireplace; and of course, the mighty French Broad River itself, which serves as the ultimate natural amenity all the year round.
A Conservation-Minded Community
From the moment you set foot on the property, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and hear the roar of the river below, you realize: this place is special. Since its creation in 2014, French Broad Crossing has been dedicated to preserving the land on which it is privileged to reside. Nearly one third of its 750+ acres have been placed in a conservation easement to ensure that this irreplaceable tract of mountain-meets-river land will be off limits to future development, for posterity. “The goal from day one,” says David Brannon, preserved Landscape Architect at French Broad Crossing, “has been to safeguard this incredible piece of land that we have been entrusted with—not just for our current members, but for their children’s children.”
When land is placed under a conservation easement, its “ecological value” is protected. It is long-term, legally binding agreement prevents harmful or spurious development in the future. The majority of land French Broad Crossing has placed in conservation is centralized around a core area that safeguards the French Broad River and its surrounding natural ecosystem. “By taking care of the land, we take care of ourselves,” says Christen Miller, FBC’s General Manager. “The families here view the land not as their right, but as a gift or blessing which we are all entrusted with to maintain and steward. This common attitude toward conservation permeates the very fabric of life here and separates us from other communities.”
To learn more about the living experience at French Broad Crossing, please contact our sales office at sales@preservecommunities.com or call us at 866-947-9629.