A skilled carpenter contractor’s vision to transform a humble five-acre plot of wooded land in upstate New York has culminated in Evergreen Cabins, a multi-million dollar luxury rental empire that stands as a testament to craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit. Beginning in 2015 with a modest $27,000 investment, Chris Broomfield leveraged his decades of building experience to create a series of unique, highly sought-after properties that not only captured the imagination of travelers but also built a sustainable and profitable business. His journey from a hands-on builder to the successful owner-operator of a premier Airbnb destination illustrates a powerful combination of strategic development, creative design, and a deep understanding of what makes a vacation experience truly memorable, ultimately allowing him to forge a lasting legacy for his family.
The Foundation of an Empire
From Humble Beginnings to Viral Sensation
The genesis of Evergreen Cabins began with a deliberate and strategic land acquisition. In 2015, Broomfield, then a 50-year-old contractor, and his wife purchased a five-acre, hilly parcel in Remsen, New York, for $27,000. The location was chosen not just for its natural beauty but for its proximity to a lake and family-owned property, creating a perfect backdrop for the multi-cabin destination he envisioned from the outset. With a clear goal in mind, he immediately began the arduous process of bringing his first creation to life, commuting on weekends from his home in Connecticut to personally construct an A-frame cabin. This hands-on approach allowed him to pour his extensive experience into every detail of the project, ensuring the quality and character he desired. While he managed the majority of the build himself, he made the strategic decision to outsource highly specialized tasks, such as drilling a well, electrical wiring, and hanging sheetrock, to ensure professional-grade results and streamline the process.
Over the course of three years, the A-frame cabin slowly took shape, a project that represented a total investment of approximately $90,000. The result was a charming one-bedroom, one-bathroom structure that was a pure reflection of Broomfield’s creative vision, built not from a rigid blueprint but from his own inspiration and expertise. This sense of personal creation brought him immense professional satisfaction. Upon its completion and listing on Airbnb, the cabin’s unique appeal and quality craftsmanship resonated powerfully with the market. It rapidly achieved viral popularity, becoming one of the platform’s “most-wishlisted” properties in all of New York State. This overwhelming public response not only validated his concept but also earned him the coveted “superhost” status, a distinction awarded for outstanding hospitality and reliability, which laid a robust foundation for the brand’s reputation and future expansion.
Capitalizing on Momentum The Treehouse
The incredible success and high demand for his first A-frame cabin served as a powerful catalyst, signaling a clear opportunity for ambitious expansion. Recognizing the momentum he had built, Broomfield decided to accelerate his plans and hired a construction team to help bring his next, more distinctive vision to life: a custom-designed treehouse. This project was executed with remarkable speed and efficiency, completed in an impressive span of just 13 weeks and finishing in November 2019 at a total cost of about $175,000. Designed to be the centerpiece of his growing business, the treehouse was specifically conceived to attract young families and create a unique, unforgettable lodging experience. This structure fully embodies his business model of crafting one-of-a-kind destinations, standing as a striking example of creative architecture blended with natural surroundings and elevated guest comfort.
The Treehouse is a marvel of design and engineering, a spacious 1,200-square-foot, two-story cabin that is elevated 14 feet off the ground, creating a true in-the-trees experience. Access to this unique dwelling is exclusively via a suspension bridge, adding a sense of adventure from the moment guests arrive. The interior is thoughtfully laid out with two bedrooms and one bathroom, with the main living room and primary bedroom offering serene views of a nearby waterfall, further integrating the structure with its natural environment. Its appeal is significantly enhanced by a suite of premium amenities, including a private pond complete with a small dock, a cozy covered porch, and a dedicated fire pit for evening gatherings. Just like the A-frame before it, the treehouse proved to be an instant sensation, mirroring its predecessor’s performance and quickly ranking among the top 10% of all Airbnb homes based on exceptional ratings, glowing reviews, and proven reliability.
The Business of Building a Legacy
Strategic Expansion and Financial Success
The financial performance of the properties has consistently underscored the venture’s remarkable success. For the treehouse alone, documented revenue reached an impressive $151,966 in a recent year, with projections estimating a similarly strong performance of $150,562 for the following year. This substantial and reliable income stream spurred further strategic expansion with the construction of a third distinct rental property, the Birch Falls Spa Cabin. Built for $160,000, this studio-style cabin was designed to target a different market niche, catering to couples or individuals seeking a luxurious and restorative retreat. Its main draw is a dedicated spa room, which features an 18-foot-long indoor waterfall, a professional massage bed, and a large soaker jet tub, creating an exclusive wellness experience. This diversification of offerings allowed Evergreen Cabins to appeal to a broader range of guests and maintain high occupancy rates across the entire property.
To manage bookings and maximize income across all three unique properties, Broomfield employs a sophisticated dynamic pricing strategy. This approach allows nightly rates for each cabin to fluctuate between $380 and $700, adjusting based on seasonality, demand, and day of the week, ensuring optimal revenue generation. The cumulative financial results are a testament to the effectiveness of his business model. Since the first property was listed in 2018, the business has generated a total revenue of $2.1 million, according to reviewed financial documents. This impressive income is supported by well-managed operational costs, which consist of approximately $700 per month for utilities, a reasonable $8,000 per month for operations that include payroll for his staff, and about $18,000 annually in property taxes. These figures paint a clear picture of a highly profitable and efficiently run enterprise built on a foundation of quality and unique guest experiences.
From Carpenter to CEO
The consistent and substantial income generated by Evergreen Cabins, currently around $400,000 in annual revenue, provided Broomfield with the financial freedom to make a significant life change. In 2021, he officially retired from his full-time contracting work, marking the successful completion of his transition from a skilled tradesman to a full-fledged entrepreneur and business owner. His role has evolved significantly; he is now an owner-operator who focuses on the strategic direction and creative development of the business. His days are spent overseeing his dedicated staff, designing innovative new cabins for future expansion, and meticulously planning the long-term growth of the Evergreen Cabins brand. This shift has allowed him to move away from the physical demands of construction and focus on the aspects of the business that he is most passionate about: creation, innovation, and hospitality.
His motivation remained strong, driven by an intrinsic desire to continue creating and innovating rather than simply building from others’ plans. Throughout this journey, his family served as a core inspiration and a driving force behind his ambition. The ultimate goal extended far beyond financial success; it was centered on the profound desire to establish a lasting legacy that could be passed down through generations. He successfully cultivated a thriving business from a simple plot of land and his own two hands, creating an enterprise that not only provided for his family but also stood as a tangible symbol of his passion and vision. His work culminated in the establishment of a prosperous company he planned to one day entrust to his children, ensuring his dream would continue to flourish.
