How a Connecticut Carpenter Turned $27,000 Upstate New York Land Into a Million-Dollar Rental Empire

Back in 2015, carpenter Chris Broomfield and his wife acquired a five-acre plot of land in upstate New York for $27,000. What initially began as a weekend project intended to provide a financial head start for their children gradually blossomed into a lucrative hospitality enterprise. According to reports, the unique short-term rental cabins built across the property have collectively generated upwards of $2.1 million in revenue since the first unit opened its doors.

Broomfield spent decades working as a carpentry contractor. Recognizing that the trade itself was knowledge- and experience-based and difficult to directly pass down as a traditional inheritance, he sought to create a tangible asset that could provide future income or collateral for his children. He selected a heavily wooded parcel in Remsen, New York, featuring rolling hills and close proximity to a lake, noting its strong potential for multiple short-term vacation rentals.

Commuting eight hours every weekend from his home in Connecticut, Broomfield constructed the first structure largely on his own. The flagship property was an A-frame cabin, which cost roughly $90,000 to build, with outside specialists hired for specific tasks such as drilling the well and managing electrical work. Inspired by an idea from his wife, the cabin featured a distinctive motorized king-sized bed capable of sliding out into the woods so guests could sleep under the stars. Initially listed on Airbnb for $60 a night, surging demand eventually pushed rates between $380 and $700 per night, with the A-frame pulling in nearly $120,000 annually by 2024.

Buoyed by the viral success of the initial A-frame, Broomfield expanded his vision. Rather than working entirely alone, he enlisted a team to construct a treehouse cabin, which was completed in late 2019. Elevated 14 feet off the ground and accessible via a suspension bridge, the treehouse featured two bedrooms, a covered porch, a living room overlooking a waterfall, and a private pond with a dock. By 2024, the treehouse generated over $151,000 in revenue and achieved a standing in Airbnb's top 10% based on guest ratings and reviews.

Encouraged by these milestones, Broomfield continued developing the property. In 2021, he completed the Birch Falls Spa Cabin, a studio featuring an indoor waterfall, a massage bed, and a soaker jet tub, which brought in more than $120,000 that same year. Additional structures, including a tiny house and a two-story container cabin, followed as the venture continued to expand under the umbrella of Evergreen Cabins.

Running the hospitality operation involves notable recurring expenses. Monthly operating costs hover around $8,000 for payroll and staff, while property taxes account for approximately $18,000 annually and utilities run about $700 per month. Even after accounting for these overhead expenses, the property brings in roughly $400,000 annually. By September 2025, cumulative earnings across the cabins had surpassed the $2.1 million mark since the initial launch.

Today, Broomfield's routine centers on overseeing daily staff operations, designing new structures, and formulating future expansion plans for Evergreen Cabins. He emphasizes that his family remains his primary motivation, with the ultimate goal of handing down a sustainable, income-generating legacy that will benefit his children for years to come.