Welcome to a home unlike any other—an architectural treasure designed by Jim Fox, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, nestled high above Highlands, North Carolina. Once the cherished retreat of Hollywood icon Burt Reynolds, this organic-style masterpiece blends native stone, cedar, steel, and glass into a seamless extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Located at 1210 King Gap Road, this exceptional home stands as a testament to Fox's legacy, rarely coming on the market.
The property's storied history includes notable owners such as Burt Reynolds and his then-wife, Loni Anderson. While filming the Academy Award-nominated movie "Deliverance" in nearby Rabun County in 1972, Reynolds fell in love with this area and the home, prompting its purchase and subsequent enhancements. In a letter dated December 23, 1983, Reynolds expressed his admiration for the property, stating, "I own about fourteen houses. Whenever I am asked which one is my favorite, without a moment's hesitation, I always say my house in the mountains."
From the moment you arrive at the courtyard, the distinctive style of Jim Fox is unmistakable. The welcoming foyer offers multiple entrances to the main level, the lower level, and the upper level. The heart of the home features a kitchen, sunken living area, and dining spaces that capture breathtaking long-distance mountain views. The current owners have enhanced the outdoor living experience with a terrace boasting a large stone fireplace, an in-ground heated plunge pool/hot tub and waterfall, a serving bar, and both sitting and dining areas. The upper-level primary suite, accessible via a separate entrance, offers stunning views of the mountains and gardens. Two additional bedrooms are situated on another upper level. The lower levels include a bedroom suite, a pool table room, an office, a wine cellar, and a unique stone bathroom built by Loni for Burt. Jim Fox's design philosophy shines through in this remarkable home, incorporating majestic mountain views, cascading waterfalls, and rocky hillsides.
Just as the author of the book which inspired the movie Deliverance, James Dickey, argued bitterly with the producer-director John Boorman when Boorman rewrote Dickey's script, they allegedly had a fistfight in which Boorman, a much smaller man than Dickey, suffered a broken nose and four shattered teeth. They later reconciled, and Dickey played the sheriff at the end of the film. In a parallel situation, Jim Fox vehemently objected to Burt Reynolds adding a carport to 1210 King Gap Road, believing it would ruin his artful creation. Attached is a discovered letter from Burt to Jim Fox exchanging curse words over the carport addition. This personal insight into both men's bond with this house is testimony to the power of this home.
This home is not just luxury—it is a legacy. This estate provides the opportunity to own the very place that brought peace and joy to one of Hollywood's most beloved stars.