The Highlands Connection

By Kathy Dean

It’s no mystery why people choose to live or vacation on the Highlands-Cashier Plateau. For one thing, there are the cooler temperatures. With its elevation of 4,118 feet above sea level, the town of Highlands generally runs about 15 degrees cooler than Atlanta, which has an elevation of just over 1,000 feet. The village of Cashiers, at an elevation of 3,484, is normally about 10 degrees cooler than Atlanta.

Then there’s the peace and quiet. A home in the mountains brings images of relaxation and natural beauty. It’s a perfect get-away to refresh and recharge, whether by sitting and taking in the breathtaking landscapes, or by getting active—hiking along the forested Blue Ridge Mountain paths, fishing in the sparkling rivers or taking the boat out on the lake.

Getting away from it all sounds great, but some may worry that there’s a cost to it, like losing luxury or their connection with the outside world. On the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, that’s certainly not the case.

“For generations of well-to-do Southerners, the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau has been an escape—from the heat, from the bugs, from the noise, from the crowds, from responsibilities—but most of the time, that meant leaving the luxuries of life behind in the city,” said Jack Austin, General Manager of Old Edwards Inn & Spa.

Today, Old Edwards Inn, located in Highlands, provides a place in the mountains where visitors can spoil themselves with award-winning food and wine, a nationally ranked spa, world-class golf and sumptuous amenities, he said.

Austin shared his favorite way to relax at Old Edwards Inn. “Nothing beats a soak in the spa’s whirlpool, followed by an 80-minute massage, and then a cup of herbal tea in the solarium,” he said. “Letting myself drift off for a nap in one of the sumptuous chaises is true luxury, but I’m tempted to get up for a light bite in the Wine Garden. My favorite table is right by the waterfall. It’s like a calm eddy off the stream of foot traffic on Main Street just yards away.”

According to Bill Gilmore, Provisional Broker, Highlands Cove Realty at Old Edwards Inn and Realtor with PalmerHouse Properties, Main Street in Highlands is uber charming, with its churches, small grocery stores and walkable shops and restaurants.

“It’s like something out of Mayberry R.F.D.,” he said. “It’s a place where parents can comfortably allow their teens to shop or eat on their own.”

Depending on what people are looking for, there are plenty of choices, Gilmore added. “For unparalleled luxury, you can’t do better than a stay at the Old Edwards Inn,” he said. “But if you’re looking for a pet-friendly hotel, there’s the Main Street Inn.” Also in Highlands, Main Street Inn offers quaint rooms, many with private balconies.

For those concerned that the mountains might cut them off from civilization, Gilmore noted that communication in the area is top notch, with internet and cell service so reliable that busy executives can easily work from Highlands-Cashiers.

“The Cashiers Area offers a casuallysophisticated visitor and lifestyle experience ranging from spectacular outdoor recreation, like world-class hiking, fly fishing, golf/tennis/croquet, rock climbing, to refined dining and handcrafted cocktails,” said Stephanie Edwards, Executive Director at Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce. “And our growing arts and cultural scene includes music and live theater.”

She added that award-winning chef Johannes Klapdohr opened the Library Kitchen & Bar restaurant earlier this year, a wonderful complement to celebrated Chef Adam Hayes’ Canyon Kitchen culinary experience. The Cashiers area is also anticipating the launch of a hometown brewery and more boutiques for their ‘cottage shopping’ experience.

Edwards noted that this year, the Cashiers Historical Society will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its annual Cashiers Designer Showhouse fundraiser, which will be held August 12 to 27. It will feature many of the best interior decorators and designers in the Southeast who will work their magic on three new houses. The featured homes will be in the new Cottage Walk community on Burns Street in Cashiers.

“There’s a strong emphasis on outdoor activities here in the mountains, but if you’re not the outdoorsy type, there’s still plenty to do while you’re here,” said Kenneth Taft, Broker-In-Charge/General Manager of Landmark Realty Group. “There’s an abundance of cultural events such as plays and concerts. There are also luxurious spas in which to indulge, and classes to take to explore a new hobby.”

No matter what you like to do, Taft said that you’ll be sure to meet plenty of nice people from all over the world who come here for the same reasons—to relax and destress from their everyday lives. “And that’s what makes this area so special—the people who come here,” he said.

According to Susie deVille, Owner/ Broker-in-Charge, White Oak Realty Group and President and Founder of the Innovation & Creativity Institute, Highlands-Cashiers attracts interesting people of many backgrounds, education levels and interests. “Our town tends to attract awesome people,” she said. “They come here and want to relax, but they also want to connect with the community, even if it’s just for a weekend or a month.”

The community is welcoming and there are many ways to plug into it, deVille added. For example, there’s the Highlands Playhouse, an intimate theater that showcases Broadway musicals and regular film events, and The Bascom, a visual arts center in Highlands that invites seasonal and year-round residents to volunteer. The Bascom hosts exhibitions, education and artist residency programs.

“People think it’s a tiny place, and it is cozy, but we have a hospital, performing arts, chamber music festival and other cultural offerings that are astounding for a place with four stoplights,” said deVille.

While the mountains provide a cool respite from summer heat, they’re also worth a visit in colder weather. “In recent years, we’ve seen a rise in the number of folks who choose to come back for Thanksgiving, to spend their holiday here in the mountains,” said Taft. “Christmas tree farms are a large industry here, so there are a lot places where people can choose and cut their own tree, which appeals to residents and visitors alike.”

Appalachian Cool Jackson County, NC has much to offer homeowners, vacationers

If you’re headed to the mountains this summer or fall, make sure to add Jackson County, NC to your list of must-visit places. Located only a few hours from Atlanta, it’s perfect for outdoor enthusiasts to explore a variety of landscapes ranging from picturesque peaks, rolling valleys, cascading waterfalls and winding rivers. There’s also Panthertown Valley, which has 6,295 acres of Nantahala National Forest lands with more than 30 miles of hiking, biking and multi-use trails. Known as the “Yosemite of the East” the backcountry trails wander through a pristine section of the southern Appalachian Mountains, and lead to over a dozen waterfalls in the valley.

After a hike, cool down and take in the beauty of one of Jackson County’s many waterfalls. Visitors can discover more than two-dozen waterfalls in the area ranging from cascading falls, to gentle flows, all which make for oneof-a-kind photo opportunities. Tucked away in the area’s unique landscape, these waterfalls ebb and flow with stunning, rushing water. Whitewater Falls, one of the highest east of the Rockies, Courthouse Falls and High Falls are just a few that guests to the area shouldn’t miss. For a beach feel with a mountain view, visit Lake Glenville, one of the country’s highest lakes, for water activities or just to lounge on the sand-filled beach.

There’s also plenty of good food and drinks in the area. Jackson County’s Ale Trail features a variety of breweries along the easily walkable, one-mile route in Sylva. The trail consists of three, unique breweries offering beers for all palates: The Sneak E Squirrel, Heinzelmännchen Brewery and Innovation Brewing. The Ale Trail will also welcome a fourth member this summer with Balsam Falls Brewing, which will have 16-20 beers on tap in a rotating selection.

Local restaurants make as much of a lasting impression as the towering mountainscapes. In Cashiers, restaurants feature pretty porches, apple orchards and country dining. Cornucopia is consistently named as one of the best porches in Cashiers. Award-

Continued on Page 44 winning chef Adam Hayes offers farmto-table specialties at Canyon Kitchen in Sapphire. One of the most popular spots in Sylva is Lulu’s on Main. Guadalupe Café offers Caribbean-inspired fusion, a diverse selection of wines from Spain and Latin-America and micro-brewed beers. The county’s newest restaurant, The Library, offers both an artistic vibe not only in the food, but in the eclectic décor. Special for summer travelers is the opportunity to experience a musical evening at either Sylva’s Concerts on the Creek, which takes place every Friday night, Memorial Day through Labor Day, or in Cashiers for the Groovin’ on the Green Summer Concert Series. This laidback event happens every Friday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Village Commons. Whether you’re on vacation or house hunting, be sure to check out Jackson County. Find out more at DiscoverJacksonNC.com.

LOOKING FOR A SIMPLE LIFESTYLE, SECOND HOME, OR RENTAL INVESTMENT?

North American Properties (NAP) has broken broke ground on Edge, an $80 million mixed-use community in the Old Fourth Ward on the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail.

According to officials, Edge will be a “creative living community” on both sides of the Eastside Trail at DeKalb Avenue. The development will feature 29,000 square feet of retail, restaurants, loft-style office space, and 350 residential units (with 30 of those designated as affordable workforce housing). A pedestrian bridge over the trail will connect the two buildings. The retail and residential components of Edge are slated to open in early Spring 2019.

“The BeltLine has spurred exciting growth as it continues to create unique and memorable destinations such as Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market. We are excited about the opportunity to add Edge to the list of energy-driven developments creating a true sense of place,” said Richard Munger, partner and vice president of development with NAP. “We have worked closely with our BeltLine neighbors to curate a gathering place that will complement the BeltLine experience and bring fresh new dining, retail, working and living options to the Eastside Trail.”

To follow progress on Edge, visit facebook.com/EdgeOTB.