When you think of Burt Reynolds, images of 1970s Hollywood swagger, iconic moustaches, and classic films like Smokey and the Bandit or Deliverance often come to mind. Yet beyond the cameras and flashing lights, Reynolds had an eye for the quiet, the secluded, and the profoundly beautiful. That instinct for sanctuary is perhaps best illustrated by the mountain estate he once owned in Highlands, North Carolina—a place that still radiates the magnetic charm of its former celebrity owner. Now back on the market at $3.699 million, this home doesn’t just offer square footage or scenic views. It embodies a lifestyle that blends timeless elegance with raw natural serenity, a pairing that continues to draw high-net-worth buyers from around the world.
Tucked into the folds of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the property seems to defy gravity with its striking modernist design by acclaimed architect Jim Fox. Perched like a treehouse, the residence features flared roofs and a suspended wraparound deck that invites you to float above the forest canopy. It’s easy to imagine Reynolds, at the height of his career in the early 1980s, retreating to this secluded haven after red carpet premieres and press tours. His choice of this location wasn’t just about escapism. It reflected a growing trend among celebrities and ultra-wealthy individuals seeking luxurious real estate that offered not just comfort but also emotional grounding. Mountain homes with architectural pedigree have long been prized for their emotional resonance as much as for their market value.
At first glance, what makes this residence exceptional is its architectural language—one that speaks in quiet tones of handcrafted wood, abundant glass, and geometric boldness. But step inside and the emotional atmosphere becomes palpable. The interiors glisten with polished hardwoods, as if echoing the natural world outside. Sunlight filters through floor-to-ceiling windows in golden shafts, catching on the glossy surfaces of wood-paneled walls. Everything about the space seems to invite reflection. While luxury homes are often critiqued for their impersonality, this residence tells a story. You sense the laughter that once filled the rooms, the late-night conversations on the deck, the silence broken only by wind threading through pine.
Highlands itself adds another layer of prestige. Though lesser-known than Aspen or Jackson Hole, this North Carolina enclave has quietly attracted a sophisticated clientele over the years. With boutique shopping, curated art galleries, and upscale farm-to-table restaurants, it blends rustic charm with a cosmopolitan sensibility. Many affluent buyers, particularly those from Atlanta, Charlotte, or even Miami, have found it to be an ideal getaway—private, picturesque, and poised for appreciation. Real estate in the Blue Ridge region, especially with architectural significance and historical provenance, has become a stable asset class for those looking to diversify high-value property portfolios.
What sets this property apart is not just who lived there but how they lived. Reynolds was known for his larger-than-life persona, but his selection of a minimalist modernist home tells a deeper story. This was not a showy mansion meant to impress guests. It was a place of retreat and realignment. That emotional authenticity is what often converts interest into action in the luxury real estate market. Buyers at this level are not just seeking property. They’re seeking meaning, whether they realize it or not. A luxury mountain home that once belonged to an icon carries intangible value that goes beyond aesthetics or acreage. It becomes part of your narrative.
During the pandemic, the demand for private, self-contained homes in scenic locations skyrocketed. While urban luxury condos saw temporary dips in demand, properties like this surged in value. Even post-pandemic, this trend hasn’t reversed. If anything, it has solidified. High-income earners are continuing to prioritize real estate that offers spatial freedom, health-conscious living, and a sensory connection to nature. Investing in such properties isn’t just about real estate diversification. It’s about buying into a vision of wellness, tranquility, and legacy.
One can’t overlook the craftsmanship of architect Jim Fox in this home’s design. Fox was known for merging the principles of Bauhaus modernism with the idiosyncrasies of the American South. His work is deeply rooted in the landscapes it inhabits. The flared rooflines of this home echo mountain peaks. The rich wood interiors mimic the hues of bark and soil. Fox’s architectural choices were deliberate yet intuitive, creating spaces that feel innately peaceful. In a time when so many new builds feel mass-produced, this house stands as a testament to intentional, almost poetic, design.
Current owners have preserved the home’s original spirit, a choice that will likely appeal to buyers who value authenticity over renovation. That said, the home has been updated with modern conveniences, ensuring that its charm doesn’t come at the cost of comfort. Smart home features, a refined chef’s kitchen, and spa-inspired bathrooms ensure that the residence feels current, not dated. Still, the original character remains untouched in the ways that matter. The deck is still there, cantilevered dramatically over the valley. The living room still holds its sweeping views. The essence of Reynolds’ mountain hideaway endures.
For investors and lifestyle buyers alike, this home presents an intriguing opportunity. Properties with celebrity provenance often appreciate faster than comparable homes in their region, particularly when paired with architectural significance and a desirable location. In terms of asset appreciation, North Carolina’s mountain real estate market has shown steady gains over the past decade. The relative affordability compared to Colorado or California means that demand remains high, especially from out-of-state buyers. And unlike many trophy homes that sit dormant on the market, this residence comes with the rare combination of story, style, and setting.
More than just a real estate listing, this home embodies a time capsule of a man who knew how to live large but also knew when to seek quiet. There’s something almost spiritual in the way it blends with the land, perched delicately between earth and sky. For those fortunate enough to consider a property like this, it’s not just an investment in bricks and mortar. It’s an invitation into a different pace of life—one where sunrises matter more than emails, and a walk in the woods carries more weight than a night out in the city.
The asking price of $3.699 million reflects not only the material features but also the emotional and historical weight of the home. At that price point, buyers are not just acquiring square footage or acreage. They’re acquiring a narrative, a lifestyle, and perhaps a touch of stardom. Jody Lovell of Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty, who currently holds the listing, understands that well. She knows the emotional hook matters just as much as the data. And for many buyers in this price bracket, especially those from the tech or finance worlds seeking meaning beyond their portfolios, that emotional resonance is what seals the deal.
In the world of luxury real estate, where listings can sometimes blur into each other with repetitive designs and impersonal staging, homes like this stand out. Not because they’re perfect, but because they are personal. Because they hold stories. And because they remind us that even legends like Burt Reynolds once needed a place to retreat, reflect, and simply be. In Highlands, tucked among the trees, that place still stands.