Estimate anchored to current list price ($800,000) and AVM ($791,660). Range accounts for unique aviation improvements (11,700 SF hangar and runway access) which add specialty value but limit buyer pool. No live comparable sale search executed.
Aviator’s Mountain Estate — 11,700 SF Hangar, 14.5 Private Acres
This is a one-of-a-kind mountain estate that pairs residential comfort with genuine aviation infrastructure. Perched on 14.52 private acres with expansive Blue Ridge views, the cedar-sided home (approx. 3,595 SF) was designed to capture volume and drama — the open great room centers on a double-sided, floor-to-ceiling stone wood-burning fireplace and cathedral ceilings that give the main living spaces a distinct sense of scale. The gourmet kitchen is appointed for serious cooking: gas cooktop, double wall ovens, large center island with seating and a bright breakfast area that flows to the great room for entertaining.
Practical finishes include durable LVP flooring throughout, skylights, central heat-pump HVAC with central air, ceiling fans and a main-level bedroom, bath and laundry for single-level living. An enclosed unheated room on the main level provides a perfect pet room, mudroom or large pantry. Downstairs, the unfinished basement and garage area conceal features tailored to hobbyists: a walk-in gun safe room and a private shooting range — unique amenities for a property of this type.
The crown jewel is the massive 11,700-square-foot hangar/shop with apron and direct taxi access to Marion’s Shiflet Field (3,400' grass runway) — a true aviator’s paradise. The hangar/shop delivers almost limitless storage, workshop and collector-space options (aircraft maintenance, restoration or equipment storage). The site also offers fenced pasture areas ready for animals and a dedicated vegetable garden for year-round growing.
This offering is ideal for a pilot, aircraft collector, maker or buyer seeking a private mountain retreat with serious workspace. The property is listed at $800,000 — a rare opportunity to combine a finished residence with a large aviation facility in a peaceful mountain setting. Call Polly Leadbetter at Engel & Volkers Foothills Lake James for a private showing and additional hangar specifications.
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Comparable sales
A 1992 contemporary on 14.52 acres.
Building
Site & utilities
Shiflet Field / Airport Rd area
Researched nearby locations
Location
2590 Airport Rd, Marion, NC 28752
The property sits along Airport Road just outside Marion in a quiet rural corridor dominated by small acreage parcels, pasture and woodlands. The immediate area clusters around Shiflet Field and supports a mix of aviators, hobby farmers and buyers seeking privacy. Downtown Marion (a short drive) provides restaurants, groceries, and local services; larger retail and interstate access are located along the I-40 corridor to the north.
Excellent access to outdoor recreation — nearby Lake James, mountain roads and trails, and on-property pasture and open land for low-impact outdoor pursuits.
A factual market snapshot around 2590 Airport Rd.
Marion and McDowell County sit below the price points of nearby Asheville and Lake James submarkets. Median single-family prices in the county are substantially lower than this list price (approx. $300k–$350k), reflecting the property’s specialty value driven by the hangar/shop and runway access. The local market is balanced to slightly buyer-favored with inventory near 6–7 months and average days on market longer than metro centers. For this listing, expect a longer-tail marketing campaign but strong interest from a targeted set of buyers: pilots, aviation enthusiasts, collectors, and buyers seeking workshop/estate capabilities. Price positioning at $800k targets the premium niche while leaving room for negotiation depending on inspection and hangar valuation.
Likely agricultural/residential zoning with aviation/runway use allowance on property; exact code unknown — verify with county planning.
Zoning
Research-indicated uses
- Single Family Residence
- Accessory Agricultural Structures
- Private Aviation/Hangar Use (Special Use Or Conditional In Many Counties)
Assessment data and recorded transactions.
Assessed value is kept visually separate from the CompCasa market-value estimate.
Sale history
What the research supports — and what is still worth verifying.
Key findings
- Property listed at $800,000 (AVM ~$792k).
- 3 bed / 3 bath home, 3,595 SF, built 1992 on 14.52 acres.
- 11,700 SF hangar provides significant specialty asset value but narrows buyer pool.
- Utilities: well water, septic, electricity connected, propane used for some systems.
- No HOA; direct taxi access to Shiflet Field (3,400' grass runway).
What stands out about this property.
Interior Features
- 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms with main-level bedroom and full laundry
- Open great room with cathedral ceilings and double-sided stone fireplace
- Gourmet kitchen: gas cooktop, double wall ovens, large center island
- LVP flooring throughout, skylights, insulated windows and doors
- Unfinished basement area, walk-in gun safe, private shooting range
Exterior & Lot
- 14.52 acres: mix of cleared pasture and wooded buffers
- Fenced acreage suitable for animals
- Dedicated vegetable garden
- 11,700 SF hangar/shop with apron and taxi access to grass runway
- Attached 2-car garage, paved driveway and hangar apron
Location & Neighborhood
- Immediate access to Shiflet Field (3,400' grass runway)
- Approx. 5–10 minutes to downtown Marion shops and services
- Easy drive to Lake James recreational areas and regional scenic routes
- Rural, private setting with mountain vistas
Walkability & Recreation
- Walkability Rating: 20/100
- Short drive to hiking, fishing and boating at Lake James (regional)
- Nearby country roads and mountain drives for recreational flying and driving
Sources & research confidence.
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