The village, which covers around 13.5 acres (5.5 ha),[1] was planned as a working model farm, designed by Charles Barton Keen and Willard C. Northup in the early 20th century.

The white exterior walls are mostly stucco on metal lathe, with a few having horizontal clapboard siding.

[1] At present, the village is owned and operated by nearby Wake Forest University (to which it was deeded in 1965),[1] as is the adjacent Reynolda Gardens.

Buildings which once served as dairy barns, cattle sheds and servants' stores and cottages have now been converted into shops, restaurants and office spaces.

A selection of these thirty or so buildings include:[3][4][5] Ringmaster Jewelers Sfeer + Co. Theodore's Bar and Market[9] Village Hair Designs Painters' Palette Village Fabric Shop Pure Barre Half Past Three Naturopathic Health Clinic Village Realty The Bookhouse Penny Path Cafe & Crepe Shop[12] Each cottage had its own laundry yard and garden, enclosed by latticework and gates.