A couple spent $275,000 creating an underground home in North Carolina

Mike and Caroline Parrish established a community of vacation treehouses near Asheville, North Carolina.

North Carolina’s Caroline (left) and Mike (right) Parrish

Thanks to Mike and Caroline Parrish.

Along the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, Mike, 65, and Caroline, 46, Parrish constructed Treehouses of Serenity, a community of unique residences. The pair currently owns seven rental properties, two of which are underground: Alchemy, which features a 12-foot slide, and Dragon’s Knoll.

Caroline told Insider that Mike’s longtime passion for fantasy influenced the design and look of Dragon’s Knoll.

“One of his aspirations was to live in an underground dwelling. She asked, “Have you lost your mind?” “However, he certainly convinced me, and I’m delighted he did.”

90% of Dragon’s Knoll is built into the earth, allowing guests to enjoy the natural beauty of the location from the comfort of a fully equipped home.

The Parrishes commenced construction of Dragon’s Knoll in June 2019 and will open for business in April 2020.

Dragon’s Knoll is constructed into the ground.

Maxwell Wyndorf

The Parrishes opened Dragon’s Knoll to guests in April 2020, but closed it for six weeks during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the epidemic caused many sectors, such as traditional hotels, to decline, Caroline said that their business flourished upon reopening in May 2020.

Caroline stated, “Our situation is very different from that of a hotel.” “All of our properties are located on a single parcel of land, yet you are segregated. So that families might leave the confines of their home while being under quarantine.”

Caroline stated that the construction of Dragon’s Knoll took approximately eight months and cost between $275,000 to $300,000.

As of Wednesday, the property is offered for $364 per night on Airbnb.

According to Caroline, constructing an underground dwelling is comparable to constructing a basement.

This image depicts the start of construction on Dragon’s Knoll.

Thanks to Caroline and Mike Parrish.

Caroline told Insider that they started by excavating a massive hole in the slope.

“We dug a hole on the side of the mountain, laid a concrete slab, and then constructed basement-style block walls,” she explained. Before pouring concrete to seal the structure, according to Caroline, a metal layer was applied to the roof.

Caroline stated, “Once everything was dry, hardened, and waterproofed, we just covered it back up with earth.”

They constructed Dragon’s Knoll around the mountain’s rugged topography, which created complications.

Images of Dragon’s Knoll were placed to the walls and ceiling as well.

Thanks to Caroline and Mike Parrish.

Due to the terrain of the mountainside, the home’s design was altered four or five times, according to Caroline.

Caroline stated, “When we began to excavate the area where we planned to build the house, we uncovered a massive block of granite.” The only way to move that enormous boulder would be to detonate it, which we did not wish to do.

Instead, the pair decided to work with rather than against the terrain. They abandoned plans for an entrance foyer, relocated the bathroom to the foyer’s former location, and expanded the living room.

“Once we realized that we couldn’t proceed past this rock, we had to reevaluate the house’s design and make some adjustments,” she explained.

The Parrishes purchased the eye-catching entrance door for approximately $1,200 at an antique shop in North Carolina.

The main entry boasts a Belgium door that is 150 years old.

Maxwell Wyndorf

The Parrishes initially purchased a sliding glass door for the front entrance, but changed their minds after a bunch of bears shattered it into “a billion pieces” one night.

“I discovered the current door at the Tobacco Barn, a massive antique store in town,” Caroline said, adding that she inquired with the store’s proprietor for further information. He claimed that he obtained the door from Belgium, where it was 150 years old.

Mike, Caroline, and her mother spent three weeks stripping the door of multiple layers of paint and installing new glass. However, they kept the door’s substantial iron bar and beautiful woodwork.

The entry door leads to the living area, where guests will continue to feel subterranean while enjoying the comfortable environment.

Dragon’s Knoll is around 800 square feet in size.

Maxwell Wyndorf

When guests enter the home, the living room will be painted to resemble the outside.

Caroline said of the 800-square-foot residence, “We want it to seem like you’re underneath, but not in a claustrophobic way.” Using a feather brush, she and her family created the splattered, foliage-inspired wall decorations around the property.

Caroline adds, “We also moved some of the exterior rock within the house to keep the design coherent.”

There are seating places, a television, a fireplace, and one of two beds in the living room. Also located on the left side of the living area is the bathroom. The house is fully furnished with the exception of an oven, however the Parrishes offer guests with a hot plate.

The kitchen and living room occupy the same space.

Dragon’s Knoll has a kitchen and a bathroom, and can accommodate four people.

Maxwell Wyndorf

The kitchen of the house was decorated with multicolored stone, patterned tiles, and an abundance of wood. The wood characteristics stretch from the ceiling to the cupboards, floor, and table in the vicinity. According to the website, the kitchen is equipped with a full-size refrigerator, microwave, electric grill, pots, utensils, glasses, and other guest-friendly equipment.

A pocket door made of wood connects the living room to the master bedroom.

The mansion in Dragon’s Knoll features circular doors throughout.

Maxwell Wyndorf

The master bedroom is located on the right side of the home and may be accessed through a sliding wooden pocket door.

Inside the master bedroom, guests are greeted by wooden accents and hanging side tables.

The master bedroom contains lamps and hanging side tables.

Maxwell Wyndorf

The main bedroom, like the rest of the house, has wood floors and ceilings along with natural accents. The walnut bed frame is paired with a poplar bark panel accent wall.

Caroline stated, “We strive to make every detail something you won’t necessarily find in your own home or elsewhere.” Additionally, the master bedroom contains hanging side tables and a pendant light fixture above the bed.

A separate wooden door leading to the master bedroom is also visible from the exterior.

Local North Carolina artisan crafted a wooden side for the residence.

Maxwell Wyndorf

John, a local man whom Mike met through a woodworking organization, crafted the wooden door, which features a tree design. Caroline stated that John crafted the door from scratch and handed it to them for free, provided they paid for the necessary supplies.

Caroline stated, “He accomplished everything, and the house would not have been complete without it.” “His work is flawless.”

On the roof is an outdoor area with chairs and a fire pit.

The roof provides additional space for guests.

Maxwell Wyndorf

Guests at Dragon’s Knoll spend time on the home’s roof, where a fire pit allows them to appreciate the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Caroline stated that a sculpted dragon’s head on the roof compels most visitors to take photographs.

Dragon’s Knoll has received wonderful reviews on Airbnb, where it has a 4.99 rating.

On Airbnb, Dragon’s Knoll has a rating of 4.99.

Maxwell Wyndorf

One August visitor to Dragon’s Knoll described it as “beautiful.”

“We really adored our stay here; it was everything we had hoped for and more. Numerous subtle touches around the home, breathtaking views outside, and utterly delightful. They stated, “We would definitely recommend it and hope to return soon.”

Another user commented, “Booked six months in advance, and the wait was well worth it! Caroline and Mike have developed a wonderful enclave of treehouses that provide a sense of both security and seclusion.”

The excellent evaluations are a relief for the pair, who questioned whether or not their guests would feel as though they are living beneath. Many guests staying at other Treehouses of Serenity hotels are fascinated in Dragon’s Knoll, but they frequently are unaware of its existence.

“Near the end of their stay, guests will inquire, ‘We’d love to see Dragon’s Knoll, but is it located elsewhere?’” She said about the guests. “I respond, ‘No, you’ve passed it the entire time you’ve been here’”

You can get additional information about “Alchemy” on Treehouses of Serenity or Airbnb.