We use "Loving" to describe this section, because it's a core tenant of a model we admire for running businesses called Conscious Capitalism.
While not always easy, we try to lead with love by adding gratitude, appreciation, compassion, and forgiveness to our daily actions. In today's challenging environment, love also means creating and sticking to boundaries, but we hope that it inspires and demands the best from our amazing team -- described further below.
FOCUSED ON MOTHER EARTH
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When we kicked off the project in 2018, our first hire was the Landscape Architect Coen+Partners, who received the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Award and excels working with large natural properties and melding the built environment into the landscape. Local firms with deep domain expertise, including Greenway Engineering for Civil Engineering and Nature Works for Natural Resource Management, are helping us safely achieve our preservation and restoration mandate.
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As well, we are proud to work with Chris and Rene White (of Cherokee and Lumbee heritage), founders of the Native American 501(c)3 Sanctuary on the Trail, as our Indigenous Liaison.
WORLD CLASS DESIGN TEAM
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​Our building architecture is led Olson Kundig & Marlon Blackwell Architects, who have received the most prestigious design accolades across the world (including the United States' highest honor, Blackwell's 2019 AIA Gold Medal award) for innovation, green design, and their ability to blur the boundaries between the built and natural worlds. The local architect is Thrive Architecture, who integrates inspiring designs within a local context. We also hired Charlottesville-based Staengl Engineering, an acclaimed MEP firm helping us become fossil fuel free and energy positive.
"BEST AND BRIGHTEST" IN HOSPITALITY
​We hired Clodagh Interior Design, a globally recognized interior designer with an impressive array of awards for their “life enhancing minimalism” work. Barefoot Design is adding a healing energy to our Retreat Rooms, while Luxury Frontiers is injecting a little fun by building treehouses -- leveraging their global award winning work designing experiential lodges.
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We are excited to partner with PM Hotel Group, a Top-15 hotel management company who is a leader in operations for lifestyle and unconventional properties. We also have a brand partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the largest, award-winning loyalty program in the world for independent hotels.
In late 2025, we were proud to hire Howard Shockey & Sons to build the main resort. With 125 years in the Shenandoah Valley, Shockey is known for integrity and craftmanship, and has a deep understanding of the local subcontractor, ecological, and regulatory environments.
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Design/build specialist Greenspur, who excels delivering innovative projects that have a unique story, and Silman (structural) and TM Light (lighting) are helping us achieve our regenerative development goals at an affordable price.
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ORR Partners is renowned in the area for leading complex project, and heads our construction management efforts. Finally, Greg McCarley, a James Madison graduate who co-owns the New Star Market, is connecting the neighbors and community with our project, including the best artisans, craftspeople, and healing arts specialists the region has to offer.