CJM Communities & Estate Homes: The Next Generation of Craftsmanship

Nearly three decades ago in South Florida, Gary Brown founded CJM Communities & Estate Homes, a luxury custom home builder with a focus on improving client relationships and craftsmanship. The name CJM, short for his sons Chris, Joseph, and Michael, foreshadowed what the company would become: a true family business.

In 2019, Gary’s sons Chris and Joseph Brown moved to Ashville, NC, to expand this legacy in a new setting. Together they established CJM’s North Carolina division, and began building homes in The Cliffs at Walnut Cove, an exclusive luxury community in south Asheville.

A Hands-On Approach

For CJM Communities, building a home is a meticulously managed process. Chris and team are on-site daily, including selections coordinator Kayla Justice and project manager Dominick Prochilo, working with the same trusted trades on every project ensuring accountability from start to finish. “When someone hires me, they’re going to be talking to me and my team every day for two years. We’re involved in every step, at every meeting, and have hands on every part of the house,” he says.

That precision defines every phase of the build. Most clients finish within just a few percentage points of their original budget, a reflection of Chris’s disciplined process and confidence in the materials he specifies. 

Cambria Connection

One of the materials Chris consistently stands behind is Cambria. His first experience using Cambria came when a client brought in a sample of Summerhill®, a striking design with an organic feel. The client was so passionate about the material that the entire kitchen was designed around it, marking a turning point in Chris’s relationship with the brand.

Since then, Cambria surfaces have become a fixture across CJM Communities’ homes. “We use Cambria in at least one room of every house we do—if not the entire house,” Chris says. The reason, he adds, comes down to “the combination of beautiful designs, unmatched service, and a lifetime warranty.”

Standout Estate: Running Creek Trail

This CJM Communities custom estate, featured in the Parade of Homes Asheville and designed by Chris’s wife Isla, stands out for its balance of warmth and sophistication.

The kitchen is Isla’s take on a clean white space with a modern edge. A mix of white and oak cabinetry creates the perfect backdrop for Cambria’s MacBeth, a design that blends serenity and subtlety. “We wanted to figure out how to incorporate three finishes into the kitchen without it feeling too busy. When we found MacBeth, everybody agreed it was the perfect finish to bring everything together,” Chris says.

Featured throughout the home, MacBeth adds depth and cohesion to the crisp palette. An oversized island with a double-mitered waterfall edge creates a sculptural focal point, while perimeter countertops that extend up to the backsplash bring a sense of continuity and refined elegance. The same design appears in the primary bathroom, where it is used in a sleek 2cm slab paired with an oversized mirror and oak cabinetry. The overall design plays with scale, combining uniquely proportioned elements that create both visual interest and harmony in the space.

Signature Surfaces

Over the years, two Cambria designs have risen to the top of both the company’s and clients’ lists. Ironsbridge® is a natural favorite for its versatility and its combination of strength and delicate beauty, while Everleigh™ offers a subtle statement with its movement-rich surface that brings warmth and balance to any space.

Expanding Their Reach

Innovation remains at the forefront of CJM Communities’ growth, and Chris is eager to explore new Cambria applications—including thinner 1cm slabs and dramatic bookmatched designs—ideally, showcased in a statement fireplace. He is already envisioning where those innovations might take shape, simply waiting for the right project to bring them to life.

As it continues to grow, CJM Communities & Estate Homes is focused on translating its Asheville success into new markets. “We will continue to move strongly in Asheville and hopefully open a third location in the next few years,” Chris says. “Our goal is to be one company operating in three locations: Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina.”