“It all started with a dream, and the dream turned into reality…”
In 2003, The Turchin Companies broke ground on The Lodges at Eagles Nest and over the course of the next few years, the dream of Eagles Nest began to take shape. The massive timber framed gatehouse was constructed and 5 miles of roads were engineered and completed, with underground electricity, fiber optic cable and lined with authentic artisan stacked rock walls. Amenities built included the BBQ Pavilion, Toy Barn, Heart Rock Amphitheater, Cliff Side Library, Tee Pee Village and Spa, multi-purpose ball field, ropes course, archery range, kids playground, an equestrian center, the wildlife sanctuary, and 18 miles of hiking and ATV trails throughout the mountain. There were also 12 spectacular mountain Cabins and Lodges built to rival any luxury mountain homes this side of the Rockies. Between 2005 and 2011, over 60 founding families became property owners at Eagles Nest, spending up to $5 million creating their dream homes on the mountain.
Learn about the Turchin Companies newest project near Asheville, NC – THE HORSE SHOE FARM!
The Lodges at Eagles Nest was featured in countless lifestyle magazines and featured news stories, as people were fascinated by the next-generation concept and the next-level architecture. The events created were like none other ever brought to Banner Elk. Every Saturday, the whole town was invited to come to The Great Camp for BBQ, music, and to explore the mountain. Internationally known recording artist Edwin McCain was on-hand to help celebrate the opening of The Great Camp on the 4th of July, 2006, and Galaxy Productions and their “Cirque du Soleil” style artistry came to the mountain for the 4th in 2010. Every day was fun-filled and a staff was employed at the Great Camp whose sole job was to take people out to have fun on the mountain, with guided hikes, horseback, ATV riding, mountain biking and fishing tours just to name a few. An artist in residence was also employed whose specialty was glass blowing and many of the homes built at Eagles Nest feature chandeliers, vases, and other incredible glass works created right on the mountain. The Heart Rock Amphitheater at The Great Camp was also host to great regional and local Blue Grass talent, and became one of the most coveted wedding venues in all of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
In all, John Turchin and The Turchin Companies spent over $70,000,000 to bring the dream of The Lodges at Eagles Nest to fruition. Unfortunately, the Great Recession of 2008 had other ideas and by 2011, it became clear that Eagles Nest could no longer remain a solvent asset. Therefore, the company made the hard decision to relinquish ownership to the development. John Turchin and The Turchin Companies are no longer involved in the current ownership, management or operations of The Lodges at Eagles Nest at 68 Eagles Nest Trail, Banner Elk, NC 28604, but are actively pursuing similar projects in other locations.
Learn about the Turchin Companies newest project near Asheville, NC – THE HORSE SHOE FARM!