When developers wanted to destroy part of the local forest, a Tennessee couple came up with a brilliant plan: a “treehouse resort” that would preserve the area’s amazing natural beauty.
Brian and Amanda Jensen make their home near the breathtaking Great Smoky Mountains, America’s most visited national park. They had talked about building some rental properties near their home, but their dreams became a lot bigger when they realized that the 40-acre forested lot was under threat.
The full story is shared on Knox News: Sanctuary Treehouse Resort opens this summer with a lofty goal: Become the world’s largest:
The married couple of 17 years initially planned to build around 10 treehouse rentals on an adjacent property near their home in Sevierville. But that changed once they learned of an intended plan for the 40-acre plot.
“When we heard that developers were looking to purchase the property with the intent to build apartments, big 20-bedroom cabins or timeshare condos, we then elected to purchase the property,” Amanda Jensen told Knox News.
“Brian felt it was important to work with nature instead of against her by building within the beauty of the landscape as it is.”
Instead of 10 treehouse rental properties, they purchased the entire property and began plans to build the world’s largest “treehouse resort.”
Sanctuary Treehouse Resort is set for a soft open this summer in Sevierville, near Pigeon Forge. It ultimately will feature 130 treehouse rentals on 40 acres near America’s most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Their plan will keep as many of the trees as possible, preserving a gorgeous natural area and allowing guests to experience some of the many benefits of time spent in nature.
The treehouse resort the Jensens have planned is not your average forest lodge. They’re planning something absolutely magical.
Here’s a description of the resort plans:
Up to six people can share the Tree Fort style, which features spiral slides, custom drink shoots for bottles and cans from the kitchen to the lower porches, porches with telescopes, wood-burning and LED fireplaces, secret ladders, rope climbs for kids and more.
The Tree Fort Double offers the same amenities but joins two treehouses via an adjustable drawbridge.
The Luxe lives up to its name. These rentals feature king-size gel cooling beds, heated bidets, bamboo jet showers, clawfoot bathtubs and even outdoor tubs.
Designed with the help of mountain modern architectural firm MossCreek, and complete with crank and pulley systems, ropes, swings, slides, hatches, ladders, whiskey barrel sinks, porthole and speakeasy windows, Sanctuary Resort strives for an authentic treehouse experience for all ages.
Eventually, Sanctuary will have an enchanted forest, walking trails, an outdoor hot spring tub, a store and an area to host live entertainment and events.
“Sanctuary” is a fitting name for the resort, where the natural world is more protected and visitors can experience real refreshment and rejuvenation. We’re adding it to our travel bucket list!
And today we celebrate...