Pinchot Forest isn’t for everyone. In fact, there are only 22 home sites in the entire community. And this is the true beauty of it.

This community is located only 15 to 20 minutes south of downtown Asheville. Yet, once you pass the gate, you enter into a completely different world—one of exceptional natural beauty with old growth, virgin forest and spectacular ridge top views.

Ranging from 1.6 to 3.4 acres, the values of these spectacular home sites are simply unmatched in this area. Pinchot Forest is indeed a rare treasure.

It’s easy to shake off the cares of the day when you enter this world of quiet tranquility. As you wind up the road, the Blue Ridge unfolds before you in seemingly endless layers of mountain splendor. Named in honor of Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the United States Forest Service and the private forester for George Vanderbilt at Biltmore Estate, this community takes inspiration from its namesake’s passion for conservation, carefully leaving as much of the land untouched, allowing nature to take the lead.

Each home site is carefully planned to provide long-range views and desirable privacy. Here, you see beautiful outlooks and 100-year-old trees, instead of neighboring homes.

The fortunate few who get to call Pinchot Forest home will share a love for this land and place its importance above unwanted amenities that would cut into the landscape. Stroll along the wide winding roads in the evening or gather at Owen’s Walk—the community playground and picnic area. There is a special pleasure in knowing you have found something unique—like sharing a very happy secret.

The location is perhaps one of the best in the entire nation in terms of desirability. Asheville has garnered so many high rankings in terms of culture, business, climate, natural beauty and quality of life. Pinchot Forest is just off the main thoroughfare of Hendersonville Road, close to great schools, grocery shopping and convenient to interstates 26 and 40 and Asheville Regional Airport.

There’s no better way to understand what makes this community so special than to imagine your life here while touring a home designed, built and decorated by Arthur Rutenberg Homes. The fully appointed model home design, the “Keystone,” recently opened to rave reviews during the Asheville Parade of Homes. The Keystone model home is priced at $1,549,000 with an optional lease back and is open daily for tours.

The open design is perfect for entertaining. Guests are met with towering vaulted ceilings and wide window expanses that allow the outside in with spectacular natural views that steal the show. The unusual privacy of the expansive home site gives a feeling of living alone in the forest with long-range views that span out across layer upon layer of Blue Ridge majesty. Almost 1,200 sq. ft. of walk-out porches and covered patios make the most of outdoor living in this serenely private setting. And in the distance you can see Mt. Pisgah.

Indoors, the Arthur Rutenberg award-winning architecture and interior design are apparent in every touch, from a barrel vault, tongue and groove ceiling to the natural cut stone fireplaces to an impressive wet bar in the downstairs entertainment that will “feel” like an Asheville brew pub in the decorating style. The master suite features a luxurious bath with separate vanities, private water closet, walk-in shower and freestanding tub. The décor can be described as charming mountain elegance, with a super-cool vibe—a la Restoration Hardware.

Says Nancy Thompson, of Arthur Rutenberg Homes, “Pinchot Forest is a perfect location to showcase our home designs. There is no other gated community this close to Asheville that offers the unusual combination of estate-size home sites and magnificent views.”

The Arthur Rutenberg name is highly respected in high-end, luxury communities throughout the Carolinas and the Southeast. Private Mountain Communities’ ties with Arthur Rutenberg Homes allows you flexibility in how you would prefer to design and build your home at Pinchot Forest.

You can choose from a mountain home collection especially designed for the Pinchot Forest setting. Like the new model home here, the wide selection of designs feature open floor plans, window expanses to make the most of the views and outdoor living areas to enjoy a peaceful sunset or entertain friends and family. There’s an art to creating homes that provide gracious livability, thoughtful details to meet family needs and understated yet elegant appointments that make your home truly your own. Arthur Rutenberg will work with you every step of the way.

If you already have a home plan in mind, Arthur Rutenberg can also assist you in building that home, or you’re welcome to use the builder of your choice. Pinchot Forest gives you the ability to work with any qualified builder to build your dream home. (Subject to architectural review board approval.)