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 pre-renovation picture of Nostalgiaville. Courtesy of Kelly MarieAfter 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.
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.
The Country Cottage as it is today. Courtesy of Kelly MarieNostalgiaville 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 front porch of the Country Cottage. Courtesy of Kelly MarieMarie’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.
The kitchen of the Country Cottage. Courtesy of Kelly MarieMarie 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.
The Country Cottage bedrooms. Courtesy of Kelly Marie
The country store-turned-cottage now rents for around $132 a night.
A remnant of the country store, the Country Cottage has a vintage gas pump out front. Courtesy of Kelly Marie
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.
The Tree Fort. Courtesy of Kelly MarieThe first is a Treehouse Suite that rents for around $143 per night.
A bedroom in the Treehouse Suite. Courtesy of Kelly Marie
The second is the Balcony Suite that rents for around $180 per night.
A bedroom in the Balcony Suite. Courtesy of Kelly Marie
Both rentals share a jacuzzi on the deck.
The Tree Fort jacuzzi. Courtesy of Kelly MarieThe third is a Riverfront Bungalow overlooking Carr Creek, which runs through Tennessee and cuts through the property.
A bedroom in the Riverfront Bungalow. Courtesy of Kelly Marie
It currently rents for about $145 per night.
The kitchen of the Riverfront Bungalow. Courtesy of Kelly Marie
Marie lived in a log cabin on the property while the Tree Fort was being renovated.
The entrance to the Riverfront Bungalow and Treehouse Suite. Courtesy of Kelly MarieMarie’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.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie
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.
The entrance of the cabin where Marie formerly lived. Courtesy of Kelly Marie
Altogether, her properties generate around $30,000 per month, according to documents reviewed by Insider.
Inside the cabin Marie used to live in that now rents for $161 a night. Courtesy of Kelly MarieThe most unique structure, the Ark, took a total of two and a half years to renovate, costing nearly $100,000.
Courtesy of Kelly Marie
Marie changed the Ark’s linoleum flooring to hickory wood and installed two separate heating and cooling systems before realizing a structural flaw.
Inside the Ark. Courtesy of Kelly MarieThe 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.
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 at night. Courtesy of Kelly MarieThe property’s petite Civil War-era log cabin is advertised as “not for the faint of heart.”
The front of the cabin. Courtesy of Kelly Marie
With space for one queen bed, the tiny structure has no running water and “moderate” electricity.
Inside the cabin. Courtesy of Kelly MarieFor those chasing a rustic experience, the cabin is available for only $75 per night.
The back of the cabin. Courtesy of Kelly Marie
In stark contrast to the sparse cabin, the most luxurious structure is the Treehouse Mansion that can fit up to a party of 16.
The Treehouse Mansion. Courtesy of Kelly MarieThe Treehouse Mansion currently rents for $121 per night.
The Treehouse Mansion kitchen. Courtesy of Kelly Marie
The three-story structure includes a kitchen, a workspace, a hot tub, a grilling station, and an elevator.
The kitchen of the Treehouse Mansion. Courtesy of Kelly MarieMarie employs a cleaner for the estate and said she goes out of her way to decorate rentals for guests celebrating special occasions.
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 bedroom in the Treehouse Mansion. Courtesy of Kelly MarieOne 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.
A bedroom in the Treehouse Mansion. Courtesy of Kelly MarieMarie imagines her next project to be outfitting yurts and geodesic domes for the property.
A backyard pond in the Treehouse Mansion. Courtesy of Kelly MarieFor 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.”
Courtesy of Kelly Marie
