A new real estate brokerage has launched atop Lookout Mountain, aiming to meet what developers describe as a growing appetite for luxury homes tied to one of the Southeast’s most ambitious resort communities.
McLemore Real Estate Partners, LLC will focus exclusively on marketing private residences and homesites within McLemore Resort, a mountaintop development that has steadily gained national attention for its golf courses, hospitality offerings and scenic views.
The brokerage’s creation reflects a shift that has been building for years: visitors who first came for a weekend round of golf or a stay at the resort are increasingly looking to put down permanent roots.
“Guests who have experienced McLemore are now seeking to become permanent residents above the clouds,” leaders said in announcing the firm.
From destination to residential community
Since opening its gates, McLemore has positioned itself as more than a golf destination. Anchored by two courses – one already recognized internationally and another under development – the resort has drawn travelers from across the country.
That attention has now translated into a demand for homes.
The new brokerage is designed to capture that demand in-house, offering prospective buyers direct access to properties within the development while leveraging a team already embedded in the community.
At the center of that effort is broker Ira “Pep” Grimes III, a veteran with more than three decades of experience in real estate, including work in investment properties and loan restructuring across the United States.
A team that blends real estate, finance and development expertise joins Grimes, including Matt Bateman, Christina Cone, Cheryl Milana and Shawn Sumney.
Cone brings a background in asset and property management and health care real estate investment. Sumney has overseen more than $100 million in assets under management and cultivated relationships with hundreds of investors.
Bateman, who previously served as the community’s membership director, transitions into a role aligning buyers with what he describes as a “lifestyle they love.” Milana adds experience in residential and land sales, particularly in the luxury market.
Overseeing the broader vision is developer Duane Horton, whose two decades in real estate development have helped shape McLemore’s evolution from concept to destination.
A limited supply – by design
Part of the urgency behind the brokerage’s launch stems from scarcity.
According to project leaders, more than 70 homesites are currently available, with three private residences already under construction. Homes are expected to start at roughly 2,200 square feet, with architectural plans emphasizing traditional craftsmanship paired with modern amenities.
Design elements intentionally draw from the region’s Scottish heritage, a theme that runs throughout the development, while incorporating locally sourced materials and natural landscaping.
“Connection to our region’s Scottish heritage reflects a sense of place that can be found only in such an exceptional setting,” the leaders note.
Amenities extend beyond the homes themselves. Residents will have access to pools, tennis and pickleball courts, and multiple dining options, including the fine-dining restaurant Auld Alliance.
The resort also features Cloudland, Curio Collection by Hilton, a 245-room hotel that has become a centerpiece of the property’s hospitality offerings.
History of McLemore
The development itself traces back to 2017, when Scenic Land Company acquired Canyon Ridge Resort with community backing and began transforming it into what is now McLemore. Since then, the project has added a clubhouse, expanded its golf offerings and opened its flagship hotel.
With the brokerage now operational, officials say McLemore is entering its next phase of growth as it continues to transition from a destination resort into a residential community. Project leaders said their focus is on converting visitor interest into long-term homeownership, as more guests look to make the mountaintop development their primary or secondary residence.
A principal with Real Estate Partners Chattanooga, LLC, says McLemore Real Estate Partners is not affiliated with their company, which has been part of Chattanooga’s business community for more than 19 years and is widely recognized as the city’s top locally owned and independent real estate company.