Gang’s all here!
KEEP your friends close. Six Tennessee couples, pals since high school, purchased 32 acres of land, split it into plots of 5 and 6 acres, and built houses for each family.
“We’re a group of people who’ve always dreamed of the same thing, the idea of building a community on land where you have your own space off the beaten path,” one of the homeowners, Kindle Hughes, told the Tennessean.
The plan was hatched a couple of years ago when one friend, Angela Dulany, brought up the idea of a private community. The group checked out a large plot of land for sale in Hendersonville — about a 40-minute drive northeast of Nashville — and decided to take the leap. Now, much like any other subdivision, the friends co-own a mile-long private driveway and share its upkeep.
Each family’s property has its own perks. “I have a pond. One family built a gorgeous barn and has two horses,” Hughes said. The space comes in handy for kids. “We have tons of room to spread out,” said Hughes. “Seventeen children. It’s like their own big playground.”
Word of the compound has spread, and Robin Lyons, the agent for the seller of the land, said she got calls from TV producers and other people interested in creating a similar setup.
“People thought I was a family-andfriend-compound expert,” Lyons told the Tennessean. “I have a list of about 30 people. People who’ve heard what they’re doing say they want to do it.”
Hughes said that the project was about executing a vision.
“We’re not trying to be a commune, but create a community where they [the children] can romp and play,” she said. “We [adults] may have more fun than the kids.” —