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Zillow Gone Wild Glass House on top of 80 acre mountain + local resort amenities

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Exterior
Pool
Exterior
3 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Outdoor dining

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Parking available
  • Laundry room

Explore the area

View in a map
Union Mills, NC
  • Place, Lucky Strike Gold and Gem Mine
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Place, Riverside Riding Stables
    ‪27 min drive‬
  • Place, Lake Lure
    ‪31 min drive‬
  • Airport, Asheville, NC (AVL-Asheville Regional)
    ‪78 min drive‬

Room options

About this property

Zillow Gone Wild Glass House on top of 80 acre mountain + local resort amenities

The 'quick' overview:
Featured on Zillow-Gone-Wild and various other platforms as the "bond villain house" is one of the most unique staycations available. It is an absurd house, in every aspect, being built by a local recluse/inventor/bachelor in the 1980s who developed the entire area. A PBS special and other publications once described this house.

The entire 80 acre mountain is owned by this property. Caves: hiking, privacy and a rooftop platform that has the most incredible views in North Carolina (no HOA) are solely yours. There are no deceptive photos: you won't show up and have your neighbor 50 feet from your door. Simply being inside the house is an experience, surrounded by 16 foot tall glass windows that had to be installed via helicopter.

The entrance to the property is a 1 mile private driveway with electricity buried underneath, after a 2.3 mile gravel road within an HOA (well maintained). The internet services on the house provide the surrounding mountains with internet service, by being the tallest mountain in the area. You have privacy, but do not lack luxury.

And the owner of the property also owns a lot in Rumbling Bald, so you get luxury resort passes (if requested) to Rumbling Bald and its lazy river pool, golf course, restaurants, beaches and other amenities on Lake Lure (20-30 minutes away)

It is rare that someone walks into the house and doesn't say, "wow"

This house has been featured multiple times on Zillow-Gone-Wild. Many of the locals know the house as the "glass house" as it is visible for 50+ miles in many directions, being atop the highest mountain in the area (Pinnacle Mountain). It has 360 degree views, by being at the very top of that mountain. For reference, this mountain is taller than Beach mountain, and is entirely owned by this property.

Some days, you wake up above the clouds. Thunderstorms/poor weather is/are sometimes the most beautiful days that you can be at this property: storms are wild at this property (and beautiful). It is mesmerizing to see lightening, under you.
Sunrise/sunset are nonpareil.

More Detailed description: The original property was a singular, 4,000 sq feet room atop the mountain with a large desk inside and a bed: bachelor paradise. The inventor had a 15 foot round desk surrounded by computers and nothing else other than a bed.

The modern renovation has moved the kitchen to the middle of the house, where the desk existed, to preserve the 360 views out all large windows. Two additional bathrooms have been added (in the master on 2nd level and bedroom on ground floor), as well as a dedicated bunk-bed, bedroom, downstairs (ground floor). The main living area is one level above grade and the rooftop viewing deck is approximately 30 feet above the main living area. Ceilings are huge: 20 feet

Large barn doors were added to make room for a master bedroom, but the doors can be opened to again create the large living space.

The 16 feet windows are insane and surround the living area. They even frame one of the internal showers, where you can imagine some crazy parties occurred. The insane-o shower is now a completely rebuilt steam cave with various nozzles, red light therapy, etc.

A 20 feet tall, spiral stainless-steel staircase in the shape of a tree was created, that accesses the rooftop platform from the rear of the house. A gazebo is on top of the house, as well as binocular viewing platform and various Polywood, rotating Adirondack chairs.

Two different bath-tubs feature jacuzzi jets. An outdoor hot tub is available.
Various arcade machines are positioned for children's use.

If you want to hide from the Zombie Apocolypse, this is the place to do it. If you want to travel to Lake Lure and partake in the various amenities of Rumbling Bald, that can be fun. You can do anything from this place.

Amenties:
The house has two Jacuzzi bath-tubs, an outdoor hot-tub, steam shower with red-light therapy and other various quirks. There is plenty of outdoor space to go hiking and do what you please.

Rumbling Bald: Rumbling Bald passes are included if you email the host in advance and request. An outdoor lazy river pool, mini-golf, indoor poor, beach/kayaking/paddleboarding are all at your disposal, if requested

see here: https://rumblingbald.com/amenities/



Finer details and history:
The inventor/developer of this area retained this house as his personal residence, after developing the entire area (many hundreds of acres). Only through the development of the entire area was he able to persuade the power company to bury the 1-mile power cable to this house. Imagine the cost to bury a single power-line to only one house: substantial.
The 3.3 mile gravel road to the house is well maintained. A buddy took his Lambo to the house, but I would not recommend that. The occasional hard-rain/storm can create some bumps. A normal car is usually OK. A truck or SUV is wonderful. We have full-time staff who are available if a tree is fallen

We're told that no property in NC will ever have such dedicated, long-distance access without unbelievable cost. You are off grid, without being off grid.

Local inspectors tell us that these huge windows are the last of its kind: the large size was outlawed in residential use, telling us that these are 'grandfathered in' and cannot be replaced.

The water system to house is ran through a well at the bottom of the mountain. It has taken 2 years to get a working water system at the house (and huge expense)
Two different HVAC systems maintain comfortable zones.

The owner is willing/happy to talk to anyone about future renovations/additions/concerns/suggestions: 704-956-7498
During your stay at Zillow Gone Wild Glass House on top of 80 acre mountain + local resort amenities, you'll be close to Lucky Strike Gold and Gem Mine. You'll find features like a hot tub and laundry facilities. Each room includes amenities such as free WiFi and a jetted tub.
  • Air-conditioned accommodations with kitchens, washing machines, and 3 bathrooms
  • Free WiFi (speed: 50+ Mbps)
  • Amenities include laundry facilities
  • 22.6 mi (36.4 km) from Pisgah National Forest and 10 mi (16.1 km) from Bechtler Mint Site Historic Park
As a guest of Zillow Gone Wild Glass House on top of 80 acre mountain + local resort amenities, you'll find a hot tub, a garden, and laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Union Mills property is smoke free.


Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • In-room WiFi speed: 50+ Mbps
  • Available in some public areas: Internet access

Things to do

  • Hot tub

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities

Outdoors

  • Garden

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Jetted bathtub
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Food and drink

  • Kitchen

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Dryer
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 1 (weight limit: 999 lbs per pet)
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 20
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a smoke detector
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

Zillow Gone Wild Glass House on top of 80 acre mountain + local resort amenities Reviews