contractor based in East Tennessee.“We design, build and furnish turnkey with the one-stop shop model.” The company primarily serves investors capitalizing on Sevier County’s powerful tourism economy. Last year, visitors spent nearly $4 billion in the region, drawn by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most-visited national park in America with 13.2 million annual visitors. The county’s short-term rental market maintains a 61% average occupancy rate, three points above the national average, with properties commanding over $350 per night, the highest rate in five years. Sevier County ranks third in Tennessee for visitor spending, trailing only Nashville and Memphis. Christoffer represents the third generation of his family to build in these mountains. His grandfatherin-law started in the 1980s, followed by his father-inlaw Jeff, who began operations in 2004. Some clients have been working with the family for two decades. “We’re blessed to work in the beautiful mountains every day and build on really challenging lots with amazing views, but very steep slopes,” Christoffer says. The company operates on a fixed-cost basis, eliminating budget uncertainty for investors navigating construction loans. Projects range from custom residential builds to commercial ventures, including four-story structures with rooftop decks, indoor pools, and theater rooms all fall within their capabilities. FROM TINY CABINS TO FOUR-STORY LODGES The company’s portfolio reveals an unusual breadth. A recent 472-square-foot tiny home features highend finishes with a full wraparound deck, blending wood tones with matte black accents in what the client called a “moody” aesthetic. On the opposite end, Christoffer’s team completed a 20-bedroom lodge with four stories, complete with an elevated third-story pool, splash pad, indoor spa, and in-suite bathrooms with jacuzzi tubs in every room. “I think it shows our ability to create unique designs,” Christoffer says. Among upcoming projects is Shell Mountain Lookout, a three-story watchtower designed to resemble an old fire tower. “It has full panoramic views off the top of the mountain from the third story, and it just makes me very joyful that we can design whatever we feel, and the customers and clients trust us to do so.” The work splits heavily toward new constructions, roughly 95% ground-up builds versus 5% renovation. “We certainly prefer that,” Christoffer explains.“I think we can control a lot of the variables and narratives from the front end versus a remodel.” The company has built hundreds of cabins since its founding, with only five to ten remodel projects in its history. Material selection changed dramatically after the 2016 Gatlinburg wildfires destroyed over 2,400 structures and claimed 14 lives. Fire-retardant 71 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 12 MOUNTAIN CABIN & HOME BUILDERS (MCHB)
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