Mountain Laurel Farm
Cleveland, Georgia
Property Overview
Mountain Laurel Farm:
Historic Northeast Georgia Farm Property & Destination Wedding Venue | Turnkey Investment | Multi-Use Space
Location Advantages: 5 miles from Helen, Georgia (3M+ annual visitors)
70 miles from Atlanta, 90 miles to Charlotte
Tourism corridor: Blue Ridge Mountains and wine country
Prime Visibility: 1200 ft road frontage along a highly-traveled scenic route to popular destinations
Property Size: 21.47 acres
Buildings: 14,704+ sqft across multiple historic structures
Bedrooms: 10 bedrooms across 3 buildings
Bathrooms: 5 full
Year Built: 1880s-1989 (fully renovated through 2022)
Zoning: A1 Agricultural/Commercial with grandfathered commercial rights
Special Features: Creek, natural springs, mountain views, historic event barn, pastoral and wooded scenes
Key Investment Points:
Historic charm
Immediate operational potential
Multiple use strategies (hospitality, agricultural, residential, commercial)
Owner financing or lease-purchase may be considered for qualified buyers
Mountain Laurel Farm is a stunning 21-acre historic estate nestled in the heart of North Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, just minutes from the charming Bavarian village of Helen. This remarkable property combines authentic Southern heritage with modern hospitality infrastructure, creating an unparalleled opportunity for discerning innkeepers.
Historic Manor Complex
• 1914 Manor Home (4BR/2BA) - Original family residence with period charm and modern updates, flexible room configurations used for smaller events (intimate weddings, rehearsal dinners, send-off brunches or other events under 50 guests).
• 1940s Guest House (4BR/2BA) - the former caretaker house, a rustic retreat and getting ready space.
• 1989 Carriage House (2BR/1BA) - Private innkeeper quarters above 3-car garage (or use as additional guest space)
• 1880s Event Barn - (2 half baths) Spectacular open aired 5,000 SF venue space with barn loft (rain plan) & 2,000 of storage or future expansion space.
Natural Setting & Amenities:
The property showcases breathtaking natural beauty with Mountain views, a rushing creek with footbridge, natural springs, and rare Appalachian fen ecosystem. Guests enjoy 21 acres of pastoral landscapes including chemical-free pastures, wooded shady areas and diverse natural landscapes. The estate overlooks the Chattahoochee National Forest
-Mountain views: Ceremony lawn between manor home and historic barn with views of Chattoochee National Forest
-potential for pond creation, 3 septic systems, broadband internet
-Livestock stables and 2 sheds
Infrastructure &Conveniences:
• Three septic systems supporting full occupancy
• Artesian well water with UV and filter
• Parking accommodation for 80+ vehicles
• High-speed broadband internet throughout
• Fully furnished and decorated in period style
Heritage & Recognition:
This property carries remarkable historical significance, former international cattle auction venue, also having hosted Academy Award winner Susan Hayward during filming of “I’d Climb the Highest Mountain” and serving as the backdrop for the iconic Virginia Slims advertisement campaign. The venue has earned national recognition, ranking #2 on The Venue Report’s “Most Gorgeous Wedding Venues in Georgia” and being featured in The Knot and numerous magazine and covers.
About the Owner's Quarters
Private Carriage House with Sweeping Views
Above a three-car garage, this bright and airy innkeeper’s apartment features an open living/dining/kitchen with panoramic mountain views. Includes a spacious primary bedroom with sunset vistas and deck access, a second bedroom/office with sunrise and pear orchard views , full bath with dual vanities, plenty of storage closets, laundry, deck, and private entry.
Features:
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Barn
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Historic
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Romantic
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Wedding Venue
Lifestyle:
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Winery
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Fishing
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Golf
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Horse
Business Description:
Mountain Laurel Farm operates as a premier destination wedding venue with flexible boutique lodging services, offering new owners complete control over their hospitality lifestyle. The business has been successfully established since 2014 on this 55-year family-owned property and is currently paused, offering new owners a clean slate opportunity to operate as much or as little as they desire.
Primary Revenue: Destination Wedding Venue
Mountain Laurel Farm specializes in exclusive destination weddings, offering couples and their guests a complete weekend experience. Wedding packages include ceremony and reception services with guest lodging accommodations on-site. The historic 7,000 SF barn accommodates up to 200 guests, while multiple outdoor ceremony locations showcase stunning mountain views. Established vendor relationships and operational systems support seamless event execution.
Wedding Revenue Model:
• All-inclusive weekend wedding packages (premium pricing)
• Guest room accommodations as part of wedding services
• Rehearsal dinners and post-wedding brunches
• Multi-day celebrations and wedding party retreats
• Intimate elopements and micro-weddings
Flexible B&B Operations:
Beyond wedding weekends, the property operates as a boutique bed & breakfast during select periods - holidays, special area events, and owner-chosen weekends. This flexible approach allows owners to maximize revenue during peak demand periods while maintaining complete control over their schedule and lifestyle.
B&B Revenue Opportunities:
• Strategic weekend openings during Helen’s peak tourism seasons
• Holiday packages (Valentine’s, anniversaries, New Year’s)
• Area event weekends (Oktoberfest, leaf season, wine festivals)
• Corporate retreats and team-building weekends
• Romantic getaway packages
Mountain Laurel Farm allows owners to:
• Block personal time whenever desired
• Accept only weddings and events that fit your schedule
• Open for B&B guests during profitable periods (holidays, peak tourism)
• Maintain complete control over property use and guest interactions
• Scale operations up or down based on personal preferences
The wedding venue component generates premium revenue (single weekend destination events often exceed monthly B&B income), while selective B&B operations provide additional income during peak demand periods.
Operational Advantages:
• Premium Revenue Model - Wedding weekends generate significantly higher income than traditional daily B&B rates
• Flexible Schedule - Owners control booking calendar and personal availability
• Grandfathered Commercial Rights - Irreplaceable regulatory advantage
• Established Wedding Reputation - National publication features, vendor network, proven demand
• Turnkey Operations - Complete systems, furnishings, and equipment included
• Multiple Income Streams - Weddings, elopements, selective B&B, corporate events
Growth Opportunities:
The property offers exceptional expansion potential including glamping accommodations, farm-to-table dining experiences, wellness retreats, agritourism programs, and vineyard development. The North Georgia tourism market continues experiencing strong growth, with increasing demand for authentic, experiential hospitality.
Market Position:
Located in Georgia’s premier mountain tourism corridor, the property benefits from Helen’s 3+ million annual visitors while maintaining a peaceful, rural atmosphere. The strategic location provides 70-mile access to Atlanta metropolitan area and 90 miles to Charlotte, capturing both regional and destination markets.
Terms of Sale:
Purchase Price: $2,575,000
What’s Included:
• Real Estate: 21.47 acres with all buildings and improvements
• Business Assets: Mountain Laurel Farm brand, website, social media presence, customer database
• Operational Systems: Booking platforms, vendor relationships, procedures, packages
• Furnishings & Equipment: Complete FF&E throughout all buildings - beds, linens, kitchen equipment, decorative items, maintenance tools
• Grandfathered Rights: Commercial and agricultural zoning entitlements
• Goodwill & Reputation: Established market presence and review history
Current Status: Business operations temporarily paused - providing new owners complete operational flexibility
Financing Options:
• Cash Purchase - Standard commercial real estate transaction
• Owner Financing - Available for well-qualified buyers with 30% down, competitive financing
• Transition Assistance - Current owner available for consultation during transition period
Timeline:
• Immediate Showing - Property available for qualified buyer tours
• Flexible Closing - 30-90 days depending on financing structure
Serious inquiries only. 3% Buyer agent commission available
This represents a rare opportunity to acquire an established hospitality business with immediate operational potential in one of the Southeast’s most desirable tourism markets. The combination of historic character, natural beauty, proven business model, and expansion opportunities creates exceptional value for qualified innkeeper investors.
Melody Lothridge (Owner)
7063009746
Sq Ft:
14,704
Owner's Quarters Sq Ft:
1,200
Acres:
21
Year Built:
1914
Last Renovated:
2014
Years in Business:
