A Tennessee woman turned a millionaire's private 55-acre playground into an Airbnb empire with a replica Noah's ark and a treehouse mansion where guests can stay from $97 a night

Thu, 04/27/2023 - 06:30

The wooden ark — The Ark rents for $170 a night on Airbnb and sleeps up to four people.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

Kelly Marie purchased the 55-acre Nostalgiaville park in Springfield, Tennessee, for $900,000.
She renamed it Kelly's Jubilee, fixed up its unusual accomodations, and put them on Airbnb.
The property now generates $30,000 a month in revenue and draws guests from as far as Russia.

In 2017, Kelly Marie was living in Spain when a former business partner called with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. A 55-acre, 10-structure Tennessee property called Nostalgiaville, built by an eccentric millionaire, was for sale.

A sign saying — A pre-renovation picture of Nostalgiaville.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

After 40 years of real-estate investing, Marie was taken by the unique property. The novelty of owning a lighthouse, country store, and ark appealed to her, as did the unspoiled surroundings. "You look out to see nature flourishing and a stream running, it's pretty fabulous," she told Insider.

Rolling green hills with two red-roofed building and a garden maze — Courtesy of Kelly Marie

The business partner purchased the site for $900,000 for them to work on together. Marie moved from Spain to the estate in Springfield, Tennessee, about 30 minutes north of Nashville.

Exterior of the rustic cabin — The Country Cottage as it is today.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

Nostalgiaville needed work. "I showed up to a big headache," she said. Faucets were leaky and the grounds weren't kept. Some rooms hadn't been touched in years.

The covered porch of a rustic cabin — The front porch of the Country Cottage.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

Marie's business partner eventually exited the deal because of all the work that had to be done. Marie, ever the believer in the property, bought her out and renamed the site Kelly's Jubilee.

Warmly lit kitchen — The kitchen of the Country Cottage.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

Marie has been renovating each structure "little by little." She said it cost $30,000 to turn the leaky old general store into a two-bedroom cottage with a hot tub and washing machine.

Modern, warmly lit bedroom opening up to a living room — The Country Cottage bedrooms.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

The country store-turned-cottage now rents for around $132 a night.

An antique gas station outside a cabin with a large porch — A remnant of the country store, the Country Cottage has a vintage gas pump out front.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

(Source: Airbnb)

The Tree Fort, not to be confused with the Treehouse Mansion, was the first structure to open to guests. It's been converted into three separate accommodations.

Blue sky and green trees surround the log-cabin exterior of the house — The Tree Fort.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

The first is a Treehouse Suite that rents for around $143 per night.

A tree mural sits behind a perfectly made bed with green linens and a dark wooden ceiling fan — A bedroom in the Treehouse Suite.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

(Source: Airbnb)

The second is the Balcony Suite that rents for around $180 per night.

Cozy bed in a log-cabin room with a sofa at the foot — A bedroom in the Balcony Suite.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

(Source: Airbnb)

Both rentals share a jacuzzi on the deck.

A hot tub with a red umbrella on a wooden patio — The Tree Fort jacuzzi.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

The third is a Riverfront Bungalow overlooking Carr Creek, which runs through Tennessee and cuts through the property.

A perfectly made bed with flowers at the feet looking out to a patio with a table — A bedroom in the Riverfront Bungalow.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

(Source: Airbnb)

It currently rents for about $145 per night.

A modern kitchen with log-cabin finishes on the cabinets — The kitchen of the Riverfront Bungalow.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

(Source: Airbnb)

Marie lived in a log cabin on the property while the Tree Fort was being renovated.

Two red doors with a Adirondack chair in front of them — The entrance to the Riverfront Bungalow and Treehouse Suite.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

Marie's former residence now rents for around $161 a night. She now lives on the first floor of a four-story lighthouse she's renovating on the property.

Daisies poke out in front of a red-roofed cabin — Courtesy of Kelly Marie

(Source: Airbnb)

Marie said living on an estate you renovate full time is no easy feat. "It takes a lot of money and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears," she shared.

A red door swings open to a warmly lit cabin interior — The entrance of the cabin where Marie formerly lived.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

(Source: Airbnb)

Altogether, her properties generate around $30,000 per month, according to documents reviewed by Insider.

A warmly lit living room with couches and a TV — Inside the cabin Marie used to live in that now rents for $161 a night.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

The most unique structure, the Ark, took a total of two and a half years to renovate, costing nearly $100,000.

Marie changed the Ark's linoleum flooring to hickory wood and installed two separate heating and cooling systems before realizing a structural flaw.

Boat holes sit behind a kitchen sink — Inside the Ark.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

The rounded structure had a 12-inch gap in the walls. "It was just open so all that cold air and heat was coming in," she explained. She righted it by installing insulation.

Two green chairs and an antique lamp — Inside the Ark.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

Now the Ark rents for around $170 a night for up to four guests. It has amenities like a full kitchen and WiFi.

The ark lit up at night — The Ark at night.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

The property's petite Civil War-era log cabin is advertised as "not for the faint of heart."

The red front door of the cabin sitting under a blanket of trees — The front of the cabin.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

(Source: Airbnb)

With space for one queen bed, the tiny structure has no running water and "moderate" electricity.

A sparse kitchen room table and fireplace in the rustic cabin — Inside the cabin.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

For those chasing a rustic experience, the cabin is available for only $75 per night.

The back porch of the cabin — The back of the cabin.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

(Source: Airbnb)

In stark contrast to the sparse cabin, the most luxurious structure is the Treehouse Mansion that can fit up to a party of 16.

Kelly's massive treehouse mansion with multiple porches connected via stairs — The Treehouse Mansion.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

The Treehouse Mansion currently rents for $121 per night.

Floor to ceiling windows reflecting light onto a breakfast nook with two chairs — The Treehouse Mansion kitchen.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

(Source: Airbnb)

The three-story structure includes a kitchen, a workspace, a hot tub, a grilling station, and an elevator.

Floor to ceiling windows reflecting light on a large kitchen island with stools — The kitchen of the Treehouse Mansion.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

Marie employs a cleaner for the estate and said she goes out of her way to decorate rentals for guests celebrating special occasions.

Huge open air living room with a table and rooster statue — The living room of the Treehouse Mansion.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

Kelly's Jubilee has had guests from as far away as Russia, China, Australia, and Scotland.

A blue robe hangs next to a perfectly made bed — A bedroom in the Treehouse Mansion.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

One day, Marie hopes to build a structure large enough to become a permanent wedding venue. A few guests have already tied the knot at Kelly's Jubilee, notably under a sycamore tree by the Ark.

Orange walls and a blue and yellow bed with a chandelier — A bedroom in the Treehouse Mansion.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

Marie imagines her next project to be outfitting yurts and geodesic domes for the property.

Backyard pond with rock formations — A backyard pond in the Treehouse Mansion.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie

For Marie, every day is a gift waking up at the Jubilee. "I've lived in 60 countries," she said, "but this is the most beautiful place I've ever been."

A pond with a few red-roofed buildings swallowed by rolling hills and patches of trees — Courtesy of Kelly Marie

Read the original article on Business Insider

Real Estate, AirBnB, Kelly's Jubilee, Tennessee, Features, DIY, Home Renovation

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A Tennessee woman turned a millionaire's private 55-acre playground into an Air…