Cool, Calm, and Collective

Derived from its synonymous nature with its namesake, Collective Manor is a charming-yet-expansive country home on a large plot of land along Highway 31 in Spanish Fort offering a gathering place for friends and families to celebrate life’s big (and small) events. Owned by Matt and Sally Miller, this charming retreat was designed to grant guests a relaxing reprieve from the hassles of hosting family and business affairs.

 By Jessica Goolsby

The road to Collective Manor has been long, but owner Matt Miller can still recall the exact day his journey began. “July 22, 2001: You probably don’t remember a single thing about that day. There wouldn’t be any reason to recall anything about it, unless it was one of those days that changed your life,” Matt begins. “There I was, visiting a local worship service in Southern Oregon. There were thousands of people there and we all heard the same message. But that message was orchestrated on purpose – for me. The Lord started work that day,” he says. The work, he says, began as he learned about the writings of a man who, in nearing the end of his life, came to realize that his life had been spent going in circles, literally. “His regret and my burning desire to avoid that which was plaguing him, changed my life,” Matt shares.

Fast forward, and Matt finds himself in a classroom in a town “that’s just north of nowhere,” he jokes. “I had spent the previous nine months in a discipleship program, and to say it was one of those life altering experiences would be appropriate,” Matt says. “It was our last day, which meant for certain we would be receiving some farewell encouragement. His simple yet life-changing words were these: ‘Don’t succeed at all the wrong things.’ When you are 24 (like I was), it’s easy to say, ‘Of course I won’t.’ But as I’ve aged, it has become a source of internal and constant tension,” he says.

A Homewood, Ala. native, Matt spent his college years at Auburn University, where in 1998, he met his future wife, Sally. The pair’s friendship blossomed over the years, and in 2000, they began dating. The two were wed in 2005 and relocated from Birmingham to the Eastern Shore. Their girls came along in 2008, 2010, and 2011, and in May of ­­­­2019, Collective Manor was born.

A relatively fresh endeavor, Collective Manor stands as a new corporate event, special occasion, concert, and wedding venue, situated on several acres of land in Spanish Fort. The original structure was built like a lodge – the overall aesthetic of which Sally says they wished to maintain, but with an upgraded, more “modern” feel. Its wood exterior and tree-laden grounds give a nod to the secluded resort-like style of getaways typically found much further from Lower Alabama, and its wood beam-lined, Cathedral-height ceilings, white shiplap walls, and elaborate chandeliers give the space a grand yet warm, inviting atmosphere. Outdoor patios overlook its wooded terrain, offering either a quiet place to retreat or space to entertain with an outdoor band and music, with ambient lighting sure to delight all who venture outside. “We have been searching for years for the right place knowing that one day the right property would come about,” Matt says. “The first time I visited the property I knew that it was right. I felt like the location was close enough to be convenient yet remote enough to feel like a retreat,” he shares.

The pair say that events that are “too big to be hosted at home” are their most common fare, and Matt shares that part of the allure of Collective Manor is the concept of enjoying a space designed for food and good company. “Sally and I often find that our favorite moments revolve around meals and fellowship, so we are creating an environment where guests can come and have a respite from the grind that we all experience,” he says. “Our goal is to host events throughout the year where people can come and have a few hours of what we hope will be a time of refreshment.”

As for their favorite type of event to host, Sally says, “We love events of any kind! Whatever it is that brings people together. One of our favorite sayings is ‘Shared joy is double joy.’ We’ve found that ‘our people’ are what bring out that joy the most, and we want our guests to have a place where they can experience that, too.”

With three growing children in the mix, Matt jokes that between normal routines and the extracurriculars that come standard with raising kids, ’Balance’ is a long-forgotten word. “Eternity is plenty of time to catch up on rest, so until then, we will be fine being unbalanced,” he jests. “We are in the process of creating our story of how to live out and share the realities of a dream that was implanted in me on that unforgettable day back in 2001,” he adds. “We are going on this journey and welcome fellowship, so you might as well go with us!”

Ultimately, Matt says their overall success has one source: God. “What a joy it has been to learn over and over that Collective Manor doesn’t need a business plan, a mission statement, or an attainable goal that will signify a successful operation,” he says. “Collective Manor only needs the Lord to stay faithful to what He has confirmed time and time again. And if history is any indicator, He’ll be faithful this time, too!”

Collective Manor

34025 Highway 31

Spanish Fort, AL

251.747.0514

thecollectivemanor.com