Highland Forest

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

Highland Forest

TRANSITIONAL ESTATE

SQUARE FEET

18,142

ESTATE GROUNDS

~3 private wooded acres

COMPLETED

2024

Highland Forest stands as a remarkable private estate set within approximately three wooded acres in Charlotte—an extraordinary residence envisioned as both an elevated family retreat and a defining expression of architectural scale, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design. Constructed by Peters Custom Homes with interior design leadership from Emerald & Oak Design Studio (opens in a new tab) , the estate was conceived as a contemporary residence of rare experiential richness: refined, dramatic, and deeply personal.

From the earliest design conversations, the vision for Highland Forest extended far beyond that of a traditional luxury home. The intention was to create a residence capable of delivering both intimate everyday living and grand, memorable experiences. Each space was carefully composed to feel purposeful, immersive, and visually compelling—from expansive entertaining environments and curated architectural moments to spa-inspired wellness amenities, recreational spaces designed for gathering, and outdoor living areas that unfold seamlessly across the wooded landscape.

The result is a home where architecture, craftsmanship, and lifestyle converge. Throughout the residence, carefully selected materials, refined proportions, and layered design elements create a sense of cohesion and quiet sophistication. Highland Forest ultimately represents a home designed not simply to impress, but to enrich the lives of those who inhabit it—an estate where every environment tells part of a larger architectural story.

PROJECT STUDY

How Highland Forest came together

The challenge

Fit an unusually large amenity program into one home on about three wooded acres: a two-lane bowling alley, a theater, a recreation level and a wellness wing with an indoor pool, sauna and steam, while keeping the house comfortable for everyday family life.

Our approach

• Structural coordination for the long spans and heavy amenity rooms, planned before finishes were chosen.
• Specialized mechanical systems to support the pool, spa and entertainment spaces.
• Landscape planned with the architecture so the house appears gradually from the woods and keeps its privacy.
• Interiors led by Emerald & Oak, with intimate studies and lounges placed beside the large entertaining rooms.

The result

An 18,142 sq ft residence with six bedrooms and eight baths, completed in 2024, where the recreation and wellness spaces sit alongside rooms scaled for daily living.

ESTATE AERIAL AT TWILIGHT

ESTATE GROUNDS & ARCHITECTURE

GRAND INTERIOR PERSPECTIVE

WINE LIVING & GATHERING

LOUNGE & WINE DISPLAY

SUNROOM DINING

MODERN LOUNGE & GATHERING

STATEMENT KITCHEN & ENTERTAINING SPACE

KITCHEN SYMMETRY & COMPOSITION

KITCHEN GALLERY VIEW

KITCHEN ISLAND & GATHERING

KITCHEN WINDOW COMPOSITION

CURATED PANTRY DETAIL

PRIVATE STUDY RETREAT

EXECUTIVE OFFICE

STATEMENT POWDER ROOM

COFFEE BAR & MORNING ROOM

COFFEE BAR DETAIL

PRIMARY SUITE PERSPECTIVE

PRIMARY SUITE DETAIL

SUITE FIREPLACE MOMENT

SPA-INSPIRED BATH SUITE

BATH LOUNGE & RETREAT

MARBLE SHOWER DETAIL

DRESSING ROOM & WARDROBE

THEATER & RECREATION LEVEL

BAR & KITCHENETTE DETAIL

BLACK BAR & FIREPLACE MOMENT

BACKLIT STONE BAR DETAIL

BAR & ENTERTAINING WING

GAME LOUNGE WINDOW VIEW

BOWLING ALLEY LOUNGE

RECREATION & GAME LEVEL

INDOOR POOL EXPERIENCE

SPA LOUNGE DETAIL

SPA LOUNGE & WELLNESS WING

SPA VANITY & FINISHING DETAIL

SPA SHOWER & HYDROTHERAPY

RESORT-STYLE OUTDOOR LIVING

LANDSCAPE & ESTATE SETTING

The Vision

Highland Forest was envisioned as more than a residence—it was conceived as a destination-quality private estate where architectural presence and everyday livability exist in harmony. The guiding philosophy behind the project centered on creating a home capable of accommodating both intimate family life and extraordinary entertaining, while maintaining a sense of warmth and personal character throughout.

From the beginning, the design approach emphasized balance: grandeur paired with comfort, architectural drama balanced by calm and refined interiors. Large-scale volumes and expansive entertaining environments were thoughtfully counterbalanced by quieter spaces designed for relaxation and retreat. The result is a home that feels both impressive and welcoming—an estate where scale enhances the living experience rather than overwhelming it.

The vision for Highland Forest ultimately became one of experiential living. Every element of the home was designed with intention, ensuring that movement through the residence reveals a sequence of carefully composed architectural moments, each space contributing to a larger narrative of luxury, comfort, and thoughtful design.

Estate Scale & Setting

Positioned within roughly three private wooded acres, Highland Forest occupies a setting that feels both secluded and deeply connected to its natural surroundings. Mature trees frame the estate and create a sense of privacy and quiet retreat rarely found within the Charlotte region.

The landscape was intentionally designed to complement the architecture, allowing the residence to emerge gradually from the surrounding woodland environment. As one approaches the property, the experience unfolds with a sense of discovery—layered landscape zones, carefully planned views, and outdoor living environments that extend the home's architectural presence across the grounds.

The estate setting reinforces a feeling of calm permanence. The property reads not as a single structure placed upon the land, but as a residence thoughtfully integrated into its surroundings. Expansive outdoor living areas, gathering terraces, and recreational spaces create an atmosphere reminiscent of a private resort while maintaining the intimacy of a family home.

Interior Experience

Inside Highland Forest, scale and atmosphere define the living experience. Public reporting places the residence at approximately 18,142 square feet, and every environment within the home has been carefully curated to balance visual impact with everyday livability.

The interior architecture unfolds through a series of interconnected living environments designed for gathering, entertaining, and quiet retreat. Expansive entertaining areas anchor the home's social core, while secondary lounges, private study areas, and intimate gathering rooms offer spaces that feel more personal and reflective.

Materials and finishes throughout the home were selected to create both richness and cohesion. Natural textures, refined surfaces, and carefully composed lighting environments work together to produce interiors that feel warm, sophisticated, and architecturally intentional. Rather than relying on excessive ornamentation, the design approach emphasizes proportion, craftsmanship, and material integrity—resulting in spaces that feel timeless and quietly luxurious.

Signature Amenities

What distinguishes Highland Forest most is the depth and sophistication of its amenity program. The estate has become widely recognized for its exceptional collection of lifestyle environments, each designed to support recreation, entertainment, and memorable experiences within the privacy of the home.

Among the residence's most distinctive features are a two-lane bowling alley, a dedicated theater environment designed for immersive viewing, and a recreation level that integrates gaming, entertainment, and gathering spaces into a cohesive social experience. A golf and sport simulation environment further expands the home's recreational offerings, allowing year-round enjoyment regardless of season.

These spaces were not conceived as afterthought additions but rather as integral architectural elements of the home. Each amenity is seamlessly integrated into the broader design language of the residence, ensuring that entertainment environments feel sophisticated and cohesive with the overall character of the estate.

Wellness & Retreat

A defining element of Highland Forest is its dedication to wellness and restoration. The estate includes a fully realized wellness wing designed to provide the experience of a private luxury spa within the home itself.

This environment includes an indoor pool, sauna, steam facilities, and fitness-oriented spaces designed for both relaxation and rejuvenation. Natural materials, soft lighting environments, and carefully considered spatial proportions create an atmosphere that feels calming, immersive, and restorative.

The wellness spaces reflect a broader design philosophy that guided the project: a luxury home should not only inspire admiration but also enhance daily life. At Highland Forest, environments dedicated to health and well-being are integrated naturally into the rhythm of the home, allowing moments of quiet retreat to coexist with the estate's larger social and entertaining spaces.

Outdoor Living

Outdoor living at Highland Forest extends the architectural experience beyond the walls of the residence and into the surrounding landscape. The estate's outdoor environments were designed as a continuation of the home's interior program, allowing daily life to move effortlessly between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Gathering terraces, outdoor kitchen environments, fire feature moments, and recreation-oriented areas create multiple zones for relaxation and entertainment throughout the property. These spaces allow the estate to function as a private compound—layered, immersive, and designed for year-round enjoyment.

The surrounding woodland canopy provides a natural backdrop for these outdoor environments, reinforcing the sense of privacy and retreat that defines the property. Whether hosting large gatherings or enjoying quiet evenings outdoors, the estate grounds offer an atmosphere that feels both expansive and serene.

Craftsmanship & Execution

Highland Forest represents a powerful expression of what can be achieved when architectural ambition is matched by disciplined execution. From the structural complexity required to support the home's expansive spans and amenity environments to the meticulous detailing of finishes throughout the residence, every aspect of the project reflects an uncompromising commitment to quality.

The home required advanced structural coordination, specialized mechanical systems, and a highly skilled network of craftsmen capable of delivering exceptional precision. Throughout the project, Peters Custom Homes maintained a relentless focus on execution—ensuring that every architectural detail, finish selection, and construction element met the highest possible standard.

The result is a residence that not only reflects refined design taste but also demonstrates the technical capability required to deliver complex, large-scale luxury homes.

A Charlotte Showcase

Today, Highland Forest stands as one of the most visually compelling and widely recognized private residences associated with the Charlotte luxury housing market. The estate represents a rare intersection of architectural ambition, experiential living, craftsmanship, and design sophistication.

As a completed residence, Highland Forest has become a defining portfolio project—an example of what is possible when vision, expertise, and collaboration align at the highest level. It reflects the type of work that defines legacy builders: projects that go beyond conventional expectations and result in homes capable of serving families for generations.

For Peters Custom Homes, Highland Forest stands as a testament to the firm's ability to deliver extraordinary residential environments—homes where design excellence, craftsmanship, and lifestyle converge into a singular architectural achievement.

LOCATION & SETTING

Charlotte, North Carolina

Located within approximately three private wooded acres in Charlotte, North Carolina, Highland Forest is situated in one of the city's most coveted residential settings. The estate offers the seclusion and scale typically associated with Charlotte's most distinguished neighborhoods — including nearby Myers Park, Eastover, and Foxcroft — while maintaining convenient access to SouthPark, uptown Charlotte, and the region's premier schools and cultural amenities.

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