Asheville’s own Andie MacDowell is now apparently promoting her green side. The news that she’s building a green home in WNC is news I broke on this blog months ago (November), but the Wall Street Journal story apparently just found out:
Actress Andie MacDowell has bought land in an environmentally focused mountain community in western North Carolina and plans to build an eco-friendly house there.
Ms. MacDowell, 50 years old, starred in “Groundhog Day” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral.” A year ago, she paid about $1 million for a vacant lot of just under two acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, part of the Balsam Mountain Preserve, a 4,400-acre development of 3,000 acres of protected land and 354 home sites. The houses, at elevations from 3,000 to 4,700 feet, can’t be larger than 4,500 square feet and must use materials that blend the building into the environment, according to a design-review board.
Three months ago, the actress swapped her property for one of the community’s largest lots, which at 3.5 acres can accommodate a pasture and small barn, says a person familiar with the deal. Ms. MacDowell’s new lot is connected to the community’s equestrian center via trails.
The community, about 38 miles west of Asheville, has 50 miles of trails and an 18-hole golf course designed by Arnold Palmer.
Back in March, Ecorazzi also had a story about Andie’s green cred. Here’s a sample:
Well color me green and call me Andie MacDowell! In a recent interview with Gaiam.com, Andie MacDowell talked about her career, spirituality and going green. When asked how living green was part of her formula for a great life, Andie said:
It’s important to me. I am actually selling the big house I live in now because it is more than I can justify. My long-term plan is to build a totally green house. I also have a conservation easement on land in Montana, a 2,000-acre piece that will be protected in perpetuity.
I drive a Prius, we eat organic, and we compost and recycle. But what’s really interesting to me is how easy it is for my children to live in ways that will save the earth. My girls are vegetarians because they don’t want to support the degradation caused by raising cattle. Meat has been harder for me to totally give up. I am not a big meat eater, but it is a source of protein that I feel my body needs.
I wish there was a sustainable way for people to have a small amount of meat in their diet. Those of us who grew up spoiled by a culture that wanted to have things easy — we find it difficult. In the end, the adjustments are not hard or a burden. We must change and take responsibility as caretakers of the earth. I include myself in this statement.
2 Comments
Balsam Mountain Preserve is hardly an environmental community. First, there is a golf course. Second, they caused the largest sediment spill into the Tuckaseegee River in 2007 and have yet to restore the damage they did.Did anyone note they sprayed the riparian areas with fertilizer by water’s edge which, by the way, went into the watershed. BMP even tried to weasel out of their fines. Third, the homes are huge. What part of that is environmental?
Oh, the homes must be less than 4,500? How could anyone possibly live within such limits? Hate to break it to you, Andi, but that ain’t exactly green.