This property is truly a hidden gem, designed and built by Wade Burns, who still resides in Montreat. The intricate details and craftsmanship throughout the house offer something new to appreciate with every visit. It manages to be both majestic and warm, offering a sense of comfort despite its impressive size.
While the house is quite large, its thoughtful design allows it to blend seamlessly into the hillside, making it appear much smaller when viewed from above. One of its most-loved features is the single-level entrance from the driveway—an incredibly rare convenience in the mountains, with no steps to navigate.
A unique design element is the “moat” along the uphill side of the house, which allows natural light to stream into all the middle-floor windows. This feature required over 60 truckloads of concrete to construct the retaining walls that make it possible.
The stones surrounding the driveway are another fascinating detail, repurposed from the excavation of one of the town’s water tanks during the late-2000s economic downturn. Wade ingeniously devised a way to position these massive stones without risking damage to the finished house. You can glimpse just the edges of these incredible stones, adding to the home’s unique character.
The features and meticulous details are endless—you truly have to see this property in person to fully appreciate its beauty and charm.