If the pace of a small mountain community is what you are looking for, but you don’t want to sacrifice modern conveniences, then look no further than Old Toccoa Farm just outside Blue Ridge, Georgia.
Shadowed by the world’s oldest mountain range and living naturally alongside a stretch of the Toccoa River, Old Toccoa Farm brings people, lifestyle and design together in a setting that is both casual and elegant.
Decisions typically start with location. And it all starts with the charm of downtown Blue Ridge, a town that baby boomers and Gen Xers call the “college town for adults.” It has a great vibe, an always improving restaurant scene, microbreweries, wineries, a thriving arts community, great local shopping and a national forest that surrounds the town providing nature enthusiasts with world-class outdoor pursuits. The question is, where do you live? The answer is Old Toccoa Farm.
Nature and Southern hospitality are center stage as you reach the community gatehouse and are welcomed by the gate attendant. Once through, the smell of the mountain air and fire pits puts you in a special place. Your senses are alive as you make your way around the community, noticing a significant number of new homes under construction.
Each home is architecturally appropriate, with large timbers, natural stone, board-batten, cedar shakes and accent metal roofing to create a true sense of belonging. Each is sited to fit “of the land, not on the land.”
Real estate lot sales and new home construction are continuing at Old Toccoa Farm. Twenty beautifully designed homes have been completed, another ten custom homes are under construction and the design/builder program has another 30+ homes in the pipeline, which will become new construction starts throughout 2021. “Almost all who are purchasing homesites in Old Toccoa Farm are working with our team of architects, designers and builders to get their homes started as soon as possible. We have seen smaller footprint homes in design as well as larger family legacy designs. The combination of smaller and larger homes provides the community with a cross-section of home styles and sizes. We are creating a community that appeals to an active lifestyle buyer and one that wants a well-designed home that doesn’t break the bank on all-in costs. That’s what it’s all about,” says Peter Knutzen, one of two managing partners and developer of Old Toccoa Farm.
And homes aren’t the only construction taking place. The new golf shop and community tavern is scheduled to break ground this month and will be a great asset to Old Toccoa Farm and the Blue Ridge community. “We feel that we have come to a critical path in our development plan that requires this new amenity, and we are thrilled for our members that this is now underway. By fall of this year, we will be socializing once again and the tavern will be a huge hit for our membership and visiting guests,” says Knutzen. He also mentions that a real estate price increase and membership drive are scheduled to coincide with this new phase of amenity construction.
Old Toccoa Farm now has a completed 18-hole golf course that ranked as the #8 Best New Golf Course in the United States by Golf Digest. This semi-private golf course, designed by Jack Dredla, Dan Proctor and Dave Axland of Bunker Hill Golf, offers an exceptional golf experience. Among the course’s features are the incredibly beautiful 626-yard, par-five 13th hole, the 413-yard, par-four 6th hole overlooking a 100-year-old barn, and holes that play along Old Toccoa Farm’s 4,360 feet of Toccoa River frontage.
For those looking to become a part of the local community, volunteer options are robust and rewarding. In fact, many of Old Toccoa Farm’s employees and members are intimately involved with local charities, including Habitat for Humanity; The Open Arms Home for Children, a safe foster home for abused and neglected young girls ages 10-18; and Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc., a veteran-focused organization providing therapy through fly-fishing and fly tying.
Blue Ridge Attractions
Restaurants and Nightlife: Chester Brunnenmeyer’s Bar & Grill, The Black Sheep, Harvest on Main, Cucina Rustica, Misty Mountain Hops, Mona Lisa’s Dessert House, Blue Jeans Pizza & Pasta, Masseria Kitchen & Bar, South of North Fusion Eatery, Poke’ Jon’s
Benton MacKaye Trail: Blue Ridge is the start of this 300-mile foot trail through the Appalachians.
Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Center: One of the top five art towns in Georgia and hosts 35-plus exhibits and events annually.
Breweries & Wineries: Fannin Brewing Company, Grumpy Old Men Brewing, Buck Bald Brewing, Copperhill Brewery, Cartecay Vineyards, Chateau Meichtry, Serenberry Vineyards & Winery, Ott Farms & Vineyard, and Bear Claw Vineyards
Boat Dock Bar & Grill: Float on up to Lake Blue Ridge Marina’s Boat Dock Bar & Grill for some delicious fare.
Noontootla Creek Farms (OTF Partner): This 1,000+ acre property offers guided trophy fly-fishing, quail and pheasant shoots, and a 12-stand sporting clay course.
With spectacular sporting opportunities, a bustling downtown and a giving community, Old Toccoa Farm is the mountain retreat you’re looking for.
Old Toccoa Farm, oldtoccoafarm.com, 596 Curtis Switch Rd., Mineral Bluff, Georgia, 706.946.4653. The content for this article is brought to you by Old Toccoa Farm.
