Because Intelligence Is The New Sexy!
Growing up as little boys, we dreamed of having the coolest tree house on the block. A secret fort where we did nothing but…well things that little boys do. We would read comic books, trade Upper Deck baseball cards, and there was only one rule; the golden rule really: no girls allowed. These days we’d probably amend that rule, but growing up, it was what we lived by. While the rules of our tree house may have changed with age, the desire for owning one has not. Ironically enough, the reasons we still want a tree house as an adult are still fueled by all of the same needs. We are looking for a place where we can get away from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, our own personal place to escape. A small space to once again connect with our roots, connect with nature. We’re here to let you know that you don’t have to give up on those childhood dreams of owning the ultimate tree house. In fact there are many people living that exact dream throughout the world already. To help inspire you to get started on building your elevated sanctuary, we’ve scoured the depths of the interwebs to compile a list of the 18 greatest tree houses on the planet – in no particular order.
One of our personal favorites on the list, this elevated cabin was designed by architect Missy Brown with adults in mind. The treehouse is located in the mountains of Vail, and includes an awesome rooftop patio – perfect for enjoying a summer time beer.
Located in Issaquah, Washington, Treehouse point is technically a treehouse hotel. There are several different accommodations scattered throughout the property, and you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Located in the woods of Whistler, B.C., this treehouse was considered a secret. That is until Joel Allen’s creation experienced worldwide fame on the internet. Allen used nothing but free materials he sourced from Craigslist to build this beauty.
Part of Wisconsin’s Wandawega resort, this three story cottage was designed for guests looking to experience the great outdoors. It’s got everything from an upstairs reading nook and chandelier antlers to an outdoor deck and hammock, all wrapped around an old elm tree.
This sustainable community spans over 600 acres in Costa Rica. All 25 structures on the property are connected by a series of suspension bridges.
A bit different than the previously featured offerings, these round tree houses are connected to the surrounding trees by a series of ropes. A spiral staircase wraps around an anchor tree, leading right to the front door.
As the name would suggest, this treehouse looks like a giant bird’s nest. While the outside may look primitive, the interior has been decked out with modern conveniences, and one would never know they were sleeping in an oversized bird’s nest. It’s part of the Treehotel, and was designed by Indrednin Gspruppen.
Technically this isn’t a tree house, but it is built right into the wilderness of Washington. This home office was designed by Peter Daniel Frazier with the goal to blend in with the great outdoors, and includes a small balcony to take in those breathtaking views of the water.
Perhaps the most famous treehouse on the list, this structure is absolutely mind boggling. The 5-story treehouse measures in at 100 feet tall, and includes 80 rooms. The building process began back in 1993, when Minister Horace Burgess says he was inspired by God to build it. It’s got everything from a basketball court to a full-fledged church. This tourist attraction is said to be the tallest treehouse in the world.
Once again our travels bring us to beautiful Costa Rica, where a vintage 1965 Boeing 727 airplane has been transformed into Hotel Costa Verde. Guests can stay here for prices starting at $250 per night.
Another one of the rooms in the Harads, Sweden based Treehotel, this UFO inspired treehouse is nothing short of amazing. With the fog effect on, this thing looks like it’s descending from the sky, getting ready to make contact with planet Earth. It will set you back about $600 to book a room here.
Okay, let’s be honest, the treehouse itself isn’t all that impressive. The swing on the other hand, well that’s an entirely different story. Built for adrenaline junkies, this massive treehouse swing provides hikers with amazing views of the Tungurahua volcano – so long as it’s not a cloudy day.
Looking just like Tarzan’s treehouse in Disneyland, not much is really known about this magnificent structure. While photos have circulated the web, details remain sparse. We do know that it is the tallest tree house in British Columbia, and it’s located near Revelstoke.
Sweden’s Treehotel is absolutely amazing, so it shouldn’t be too surprising that 3 of its suites made our list of the best treehouses. This particular one was designed by Tham & Videgard architects, and is crafted from a lightweight aluminum that has been draped in reflective glass. This design makes the treehouse look like it’s part of its natural surroundings. In case you were wondering about birds flying into it, this thing has been equipped with infrared film that’s only visible to birds, so that rarely happens. Prices range from $400 to $600 per night.
After building his 30-foot high treehouse, Ethan Schlussler knew he would quickly tire of climbing a ladder “six and a half million times a day.” Thinking completely outside of the box, Schlussler decided to build a pedal-powered elevator system. At first glance, it may look like a bit more work than it’s worth, but after watching the video, you’ll see it’s actually quite convenient.
The best way to experience everything South Africa has to offer, Lion Sands includes 3 treehouses that place you right in the heart of the action. The reserve is home to lions, hippos, leopards, birds, and much more – so expect everything to come to life after dark.
Certainly a lot more modern and futuristic than the other homes on the list, these concept treehouses are amazing. They were designed by architect Konrad Wojcik, and are completely sustainable. Each home features 4 floors, solar panels, and even a bio-digester to recycle human waste. We’re sure with enough support we could someday see this concept come to life.
Quite possibly the coolest restaurant ever, this masterpiece was built by the team at Pacific Environments Architects. The treehouse is built into a 40-meter tall Redwood tree with a long, illuminated bridge leading to the dining area.
PS: What’s the connection with entrepreneurship? There’s many possibilities in fact:
1. Possible project to generate incomes (if your handy and what to propose your service to build them for others) or if you make some at your place and rent them on AirBnb and elsewhere… even make a whole park of those!
2. A zone you can go relax and/or read to keep learning as all good entrepreneurs do.
3. A room to let your kids play safely so it can be quieter in your home to work
4. Even a cheap home to live in and save thousands in the long run!