Special Feature
The secret is out! If you are looking for premier mountain living- you only need to travel a few miles outside of Birmingham, Ala. to The Highlands, an area development located in Pelham and Chelsea.
Southern Living Top Pick. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, The Highlands was recently recognized by the editors of Southern Living as a “top pick for mountain living” and named a Southern Living Inspired Community. To receive this distinction, a community must embrace the natural beauty of Southern landscape, display the best of Southern Living inspired architecture and create environments that foster community through gatherings and celebrations. “At Southern Living, we look for communities whose architecture speaks to the region and brings the pages of the magazine to life. The Highlands did just that and more,” said Kristen Payne, Vice President, Meredith Corporation, Licensing. “Homes are tucked into the mountainside and use nature as their guide for colors and design. A truly special place is created by those who honor the land and celebrate the beauty of the south.”
“Our vision for The Highlands was to create a place where homeowners would feel a sense of community while preserving the beauty and serenity of nature,” explains developer David Brogdon. His plans for the community included donating 217 acres of undeveloped forest from the original 722 acres to a land trust conservancy where it will remain undisturbed for the enjoyment of The Highlands residents. Found within the conservancy is a diverse topography including lush valley forests and rocky mountain vistas with miles of hiking trails and two stocked lakes. To be able to truly grasp the detail and beauty that has gone into this development, a visit to The Highlands is a must. The Welcome Center is open seven days a week. Learn more at www.TheHighlandsCommunity.com.
Animal Planet Treehouse. Treehouse Master, Pete Nelson, walked The Highlands community with David and Suzanne Brogdon earlier this year and couldn’t wait to start filming the construction of his first masterpiece in Alabama dubbed the “Super Spy Treehouse.” The Brogdon’s loved to watch Nelson on Treehouse Masters together and often imagined having a treehouse of their own. Suzanne reached out to Nelson in 2017 to surprise her husband. She received a call from the show producers they had been chosen not only to have Nelson build a treehouse for them but also for it to be produced for television! The completed Treehouse was first featured on Animal Planet in September. The house sits 19 feet high in four chestnut oaks, can be accessed only by a bridge connected to the rocky hillside, and comes complete with gadgets like a thumb print lock on the front door, a mirror in the great room that hides a television, and a secret room accessed only through a bookcase. Most important to Nelson and the Brogdons, the treehouse is a “headquarters for family and togetherness.” If you visit the Welcome Center at The Highlands Community, the staff will be happy to point out the path that will lead you to a view of the “Super Spy Tree House.”
-Laurie Stroud
