Imagine a private refuge amid the grandeur of one of America’s famed mountain ranges. Now imagine that this mountain oasis is your home, where every day offers the rejuvenation and reconnection with nature that normally only a vacation allows. This is White Sulphur Springs, a new, private mountain community nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Only eight miles from the majestic Blue Ridge Parkway and three miles from the historic downtown of Mount Airy, N.C., White Sulphur Springs offers the seclusion of a serene mountain hideaway, yet is easily accessible from major cities such as Winston-Salem, Greensboro, or Charlotte.

The site is the former home of the legendary turn-of-the-century White Sulphur Springs Hotel, once a destination for affluent travelers from across the country and abroad. Named for a natural sulphur spring on the property, the hotel attracted travelers with the rumored medicinal powers of the spring. The once-booming resort suffered under the weight of the Great Depression and ultimately fell victim to a fire in 1955. The property remained under private ownership until 2005 when community planner Burke Robertson & Associates acquired the land.

Today, as the medicinal spring continues to flow, the spectacular landscapes and sought-after serenity of White Sulphur Springs remain preserved. Situated on 145 acres, White Sulphur Springs offers a range of hillside home sites in a natural setting amid the woods and streams. A total of 92 home sites are planned with strict conservation guidelines and arts and crafts architecture to ensure the preservation of this exceptional retreat.

The Pavilion, outfitted with a summer kitchen, restrooms and two-sided fireplace, will be the perfect place to entertain year-round. Also, turnkey concierge service will be exclusively available for White Sulphur Springs property owners. They can manage housekeeping and maintenance issues ranging from landscaping to grocery shopping, from roof repair to house cleaning.

Burke Robertson & Associates plans to revive many of the amenities once present at the historic resort, including the Spring House, located at the site of the famed White Sulphur Spring. At the center of the community is The Front Lawn, a 7.5 acre expansive field for games and picnics. The Ararat River, which runs along The Front Lawn, offers trout fishing and kayaking. Finally, 2.5 miles of nature trails will allow for endless walks and hikes throughout the wooded property.

Future plans include building an inn on the site of the former White Sulphur Springs Hotel. Amenities will include a restaurant, spa and general store, as well as a full-time activities director.

Beyond White Sulphur Springs a warm welcome can be found in Mount Airy. Often touted as one of America’s best small towns, Mount Airy offers a return to life’s simple pleasures. With shopping, dining, and weekly live bluegrass music, downtown Mount Airy provides the perfect place to unwind. Mount Airy celebrates being the birthplace of Andy Griffith with its annual “Mayberry Days” festival.

The quaint town lies in the heart of North Carolina’s Wine Country, which boasts 17 wineries. In Yadkin County is Shelton Vineyards, one of the Southeast’s largest vineyard estates. Also neighboring White Sulphur Springs is Riverside Park, with tennis courts, playgrounds, and sports fields open to the public. And just eight miles away, the scenic drives and hiking trails of the Blue Ridge Parkway offer endless options for rejuvenating pursuits in the mountains.

Phase I Home sites are priced from $175,000.

Directions: From I-77, take Exit 100 to Hwy. 89 East. Turn right onto Hwy. 89 East and continue until you reach the 2nd stoplight. At the light, turn left onto Independence Boulevard/Hwy. 89. Independence Boulevard will dead-end into Riverside Drive/Hwy. 104. Turn left onto Riverside Drive. The entrance to White Sulphur Springs will be three miles on the right.