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Led by Chattahoochee Now, Steve Nygren, and Mayor Tom Reed, a tour highlighted six sites near the river focused on preserving 70% of land while promoting conservation-minded growth.
Led by the nonprofit Chattahoochee Now, visionary Steve Nygren, and Chattahoochee Hills Mayor Tom Reed, a recent tour showcased six destinations located less than a mile from the river, all working to preserve 70% of the land as open space while continuing thoughtful, conservation-driven growth.
As Serenbe is primed for a $1.7 billion expansion over the next 10 years, the rolling pastures and woodlands of Chattahoochee Hills and its riverfront invite a deeper glimpse into the region’s future.
SaportaReport recently joined a guided tour along parts of a 53-mile corridor described as the southern portion of “Chattahoochee River Valley,” exploring what that future could look like.
Led by the nonprofit Chattahoochee Now, visionary Steve Nygren, and Chattahoochee Hills Mayor Tom Reed, the tour showcased six destinations located less than a mile from the river, all working to preserve 70% of the land as open space while continuing thoughtful, conservation-driven growth.
Serenbe, which is located in the city of Chattahoochee Hills, has so far developed one-half percent of the total land. And that accounts for 60 percent of the city’s tax base, Reed said.
“Picture that fast-forward with [more] communities like this,” Reed said.
Here are highlights of three sites we visited that are on the verge of, or in the midst of redevelopment:
The farm spans 8,000 acres and 11 miles of Chattahoochee River frontage. A total of 30 equestrian competitions are held there annually. The farm is also the site of productions including “Black Panther” and the sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” “Avengers: Infinity” and “Avengers: Endgame.”
Owner, Carl Bouckaert, is requesting rezoning to develop a portion of the property into 8,000 residential units and 3-4 million square feet of commercial space. Still, 5,000 acres would remain protected as rural open space.
A public open house for the project will be held from 6-8 p.m. on June 9 and June 17 at the Bouckaert Farm, 10045 Cedar Grove Road in Fairburn.
Tucked within 1,200 acres of forest, Preserve Life is being developed as a corporate wellness retreat that merges holistic health, agriculture, and luxury lodging. Plans include a culinary medicine restaurant where practitioners identify the best foods for your body type; hydrotherapy and yoga circuits; a peace pavilion and more. All are supported by a 300-acre organic farm and a 60,000-square-foot greenhouse.
The grounds include serene koi ponds and a design ethos centered on harmony with nature.
The late actress Hetty Jane Dunaway opened the gardens in 1934 as a theatrical training ground and retreat for Hollywood stars. Think, Tallulah Bankhead, Esther Williams and other notable names. Comedienne and actress Minnie Pearl even served as an instructor, current owner Tena Clark said.
Dunaway Gardens is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Clark plans to fully restore the more than 300 acres within two years, and bring in major entertainment events starting in December.
Even in its current state, the grounds are stunning. Gentle, timeworn slopes wind past landscaped gardens and spring-fed pools, while towering trees stand as silent witnesses to a bygone era — but if only they could — they’d be whispering stories.