Respect for the river flows naturally at French Broad Crossing
Looking for luxury that contributes to the common good? French Broad Crossing, a wild river preserve, should be your next address. Our private riverfront mountain community is located on the French Broad River just minutes from Asheville, one of the South’s most exciting cities.
“This is one of the most beautiful mountain communities around,” spokeswoman Sarah Tourville said. “But this is not just about mountain living. It’s also about responsible living beside one of the oldest rivers in the world. And it’s about contrast.”
Imagine luxurious mountain-vernacular homes overlooking an ancient river. Consider our commitment to our land, and our location a mere half hour from Asheville’s vibrant shops, arts and restaurants. Picture the peace and tranquility you’ll have above the river, as well as the thrilling whitewater experiences on the water.
“I’ve been on the French Broad River with my children, and I can tell you, it’s phenomenal,” Tourville said. “And I’ve seen people on their porches, filming kayakers coming down the water. French Broad Crossing is all about having the experience you want to have, while also having plenty of options.”
The third-oldest river in the world, the wide French Broad courses between mountains thick with oaks, maples, poplars and pines. Bringing in a constant flow of fresh air, the river has long defined the area. Its banks were first settled by the Cherokee Indians, who traveled through what’s now our beautiful mountain home.
Heritage and conservation are important to French Broad Crossing, a member of the Southeast Regional Land Conservancy since its creation in 2004. We have placed 230 acres in a conservation trust so that ourpristine mountain land, hiking trails and waterfalls can be enjoyed by residents and guests forever. All are invited to the centerpiece of the community, the timber-frame River Lodge, the setting for weddings, parties and dinners. Gatherings that start in the gourmet Viking kitchen end up on the terraces outside for gorgeous views of the river and mountains. Inside, the handsomely appointed furnishings invite conversation long after the sun has set.
Many of us return for a swim in the pool or a workout in the fitness center. Some bring steaks and company to the Tree House, built by local craftsmen of native materials. Or we try fly fishing, rafting or tubing at the community’s own River Park, the perfect riverside place for a cookout, some horseshoes and fun under the pavilion.
For a night (or day) out, we make the easy drive to Asheville, a national arts and entertainment destination that lately has experienced an explosion of new restaurants. The formally trained, young chefs fostering the city’s farm-to-table movement don’t have to go far afield for fresh vegetables, pasture-raised beef and top-of-the-morning eggs.
And did we mention that Asheville has been Beer City USA for several years running? The do-it-yourself credo that inspires many of the city’s small businesses extends to Asheville’s unmatched brewery scene, home to more than a dozen small (and large) breweries. The city’s hospital and medical communities are top-notch as well.
You’ll get all your big city fixes in Asheville. And you’ll get a surprising number of them in Marshall, just up the river road from French Broad Crossing. A magnet for artists nationwide, Marshall attracts musicians and dot.com entrepreneurs who meet up at Zuma Coffee and lunch at Pork &Pie beside the century-old courthouse. A little farther north is the quaint town of Hot Springs, with its pubs, thermal waters and piece of the Appalachian Trail.A little to the south is Weaverville, an emerging city of arts and fine dining.
“French Broad Crossing is not only a place for a retirement or second home,” Tourville said. “Everything you need is close by when you want it. This could be your year-round home.”
Lots, priced at about $100,000 and upwards for one to five acres, are spaced far enough apart to guarantee no one’s view is spoiled, but close enough to foster a neighborhood feeling. There are many types of lots to choose from – river view, secluded forest, mountain vista – and most are within earshot of the river.
House designs and construction take the terrain into account, resulting in homes that look as if they sprang from the mountain itself. Many homeowners opt for locally sourced timber and stone, while others bring in beautiful materials from other parts of the world. French Broad Crossing’s preferred builders are experienced artisans of green, Healthy Built and Energy Star homes.
“What every other mountain community stands for, French Broad Crossing is not,” Tourville said. “We are not a golf community. We are not a place where lawns are being manicured. We’re a place that attracts people who appreciate and want to protect their natural surroundings. There’s a ‘natural’ feeling to French Broad Crossing.”
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.