This home in the mountains of Burnsville, NC, may look unassuming. Then you get closer.

Built in 2011 and on the market for $4,995,000, it’s an amazing architectural achievement.

“When you pull up to it, it absolutely catches your eye, because it’s clad in cedar and obviously has these incredible lines to it and is very modern,” says Alec Cantley, who is the co-listing agent with Lacey Power, both of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. “It’s a very sleek, cool, modern house that totally blends into the surroundings.”

In a town dominated by log cabins and traditional homes, this place is a true standout.

“It was definitely ahead of its time in terms of the design,” Cantley says. “It’s very well thought out. You have a lot of natural detail in terms of woodwork … but it’s blended perfectly with all the glass.”

It has not so much a rustic mountain vibe, he says, but the atmosphere of an elegant modern retreat.

The ceilings are Douglas fir, and walnut and cypress wood are also used throughout the home. To soak in the fabulous views, the windows run floor-to-ceiling along most of the house.

“The minute you step into the entryway, you’re looking completely through the main living space and out to just huge mountain views,” Cantley says. “Natural light pours into the space.”

Measuring 4,085 square feet, the spacious two-bedroom residence sits on about an acre of land on the side of a mountain. The organic design takes full advantage of the gorgeous surroundings and the tough terrain.

“It’s just truly a work of art. It’s completely cantilevered into a mountain, with this galvanized steel that makes up the foundation but also transfers into the house,” Power adds.

The builders found a way, she notes, to “integrate the natural feel of living in the mountains into their luxury treehouse.”

It sits at an elevation of 4,400 feet, often above the cloud deck, which allows for endless views.

“Since it’s basically built into the side of the mountain, it allows you to walk out onto this massive deck that just puts you right in the trees,” she says. “The windows in the house span mostly the entire the entire length, so there’s really a view from every room.”

The design is also eco-friendly—it’s a silver-certified, Green-Built Home, complete with geothermal heat and a living roof.

“[The living roof] is planted with local foliage, and so it’s fairly self-sufficient,” Cantley explains. “There’s some annual maintenance for that roof, but for the most part, it is planted with succulents.”

It’s more a feature to enjoy, rather than something that requires a lot of work, he adds.

All the furnishings in the listing photos are included in the list price, with a few exceptions.

“It’s totally turnkey and ready to go. Bring your overnight bag and a toothbrush, and you’re ready to rock and roll,” Cantley says.

A one-bedroom guest suite near the garage has a private balcony and separate access.

It’s located in the Mountain Air neighborhood, which has many amenities, including an airstrip.

“The house sits just below the airstrip for the community. Mountain Air features the highest elevation private airstrip east of the Mississippi,” Cantley says. “The runway is situated right in the mix of all the amenities, and it actually splits the golf course.”

Golfers can observe the planes landing and taking off, just as they’re trying to hit a drive down the middle of the fairway, he says.

The purchase price also includes a community membership, which could include golf, tennis, restaurants, a wellness center, and other amenities, perfect for either year-round living or a second home.

“What we find is that a lot of folks come up with the intention of spending two or three months a year, who slowly spend more and more time on-site,” Cantley says.

That’s is probably the scenario for a buyer, just as it was with the seller, he says.

“It started out as a project that would give them a great vacation home, and as time has progressed, they’ve spent more and more time there,” he adds, saying that he wouldn’t be surprised if the new buyers ended up spending eight or nine months of the year there.

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