
The house had become a punchline for viewers and even some of her fellow castmembers, but returning Real Housewives of Atlanta star Sheree Whitfield, 46, proved the naysayers wrong Friday night when she threw open the doors to her new home.

The on-off, prolonged construction of the custom-built home, dubbed Chateau Sheree, has dragged on for more than five years but has finally been completed.

And the masquerade bash unfolded as cameras rolled - and Kim Zolciak Biermann returned to the show.

Whitfield, former NFL star Bob Whitfield ex-wife and the mother of their three children, returned to Housewives last year after leaving the show in 2012.

Sheree showed off the outside of the home in a brief teaser video on Bravo's website several weeks ago, and finally Friday she welcome friends inside to see it

Hours before the big night moving trucks and production vehicles were outside the suburban Atlanta home

Kim had her usual red solo cup in hand. She says wine tastes best from its plastic lips

Kim was sure to powder her nose before going in, while Kroy peered out

Kim and Kroy posed at the doorway for a camera man filming them - signaling a returning to the series for the one time star who owes it her career?

Kandi Burruss and husband Todd left baby Ace at home Friday and the music producer posed up in a 'shade' mask on her Snapchat from inside the soiree

Some guests needed help getting up the walk from walkie talkie carrying crew members - including Kenya

In 2011 her ex declared bankruptcy, affecting Sheree's settlement, and in 2013 there were reports the property had been foreclosed on.

Those struggles were a far cry from Friday night's party.

There to celebrate her big night was costar Kandi Burruss, former castmember Kim Zolciak Biermann and husband Kroy, and Peter Bailey, the estranged husband of castmate Cynthia.

Kim and Kroy were photographed talking to production crew and pausing to have their entrance to the home videotaped - perhaps signalling a suprise return to the series that made her famous.

Also spotted at the soiree was costar Kenya Moore, who mocked Whitfield's home and last season bet Sheree her own 'Moore Manor', a once foreclosed home she bought that she was re-doing down the street, would be be done first.

Seeming to miss the party were former castmember Nene Leakes and current castmembers Phaedra Parks and Porsha Williams.

After the set the lights blazed inside the Chateau for her long overdue housewarming

Kenya Moore beamed on her way up the front walk

Kim fixed her wig while a friend held her red solo cup

Peter Bailey, Cynthia's ex, appeared to bring a gift as well to the party - a bottle of champagne perhaps

Cars were double parked the length of the home

Team Peter? Todd posed up with Peter Bailey inside - along with Olympic track and field star Tori Bowie in the middle, who accessorized with her Rio medals

Sheree's son Kairo shared this photo of a Chateau Sheree cake brought in for the occasion

Peter Bailey, in blue, and wife Cynthia split after least season filmed after he was accused of cheating and started spending more time in Charlotte at one of his bars. Another guest arrives at right

Is that you Lisa Wu? One guest in a gray fur vest bore a striking resemblance to former RHOA castmember Lisa Wu Hartwell

In addition to the reality stars, Olympic medalist track and field star Tori Bowie was there - with her three medals around her neck.

Bowie won gold in the 4x100 relay, silver in the 100 and bronze in the 200 in Rio.

Guests were seen arriving with bags from home stores like Crate & Barrel, no doubt bringing gifts for the homeowner.

Kim and former Falcons player Kroy arrived in a black Bentley.

It appeared Kim was getting a microphone attached, or perhaps her wig adjusted, on arrival

The couple enjoyed a date night with no children for a change - not even unemployed, constant presence Brielle, 19

Only the best: Before the big night Sheree had her hair styled in a high tight ponytail

The invitation to the night's party came in a box and unfolded from a rhinestone belt

Sheree's invitation promised an 'exquisite night' for neighbors, family and friends

The mother of six wore a mini dress, all the better to show off her thighs, newly injected for her cellulite, a process she documented on social media.

Kim, who rose to fame on Housewives, now stars in Don't be Tardy, her own Bravo spin off which documents her life in Atlanta with six kids, too many dogs and her former NFL star husband.

Last week in Los Angeles she got her cellulite dimples injected as cameras rolled.

She was photographed drinking from her favorite glass - a red solo cup.

Also at the housewarming was bar owner Peter Bailey, whose troubled marriage to former model Cynthia finally fell apart at the end of the last season.

He has stayed close to at least one husband - Kandi's husband Todd. He was also friendly with Phaedra Parks' husband Appollo, who is now in prison.

Some guests wore masquerade masks to the party

There was a range of attire at the event - from fancy to sneakers

The cast is known for throwing shade - so the Shade mask was very appropriate, but hopefully no one threw shade at Sheree's gorgeous home

Surprise ruined? Kroy seemed to think shining his iphone flash outward would prevent photographers from catching that his wife was inside

The masquerade theme was appropriate for an event so close to Halloween

In case anyone forget where they were or what they were celebrating - the neon lights spelled it out

Some guests arrived carrying bags of housewarming gifts, like these from Crate and Barrel

There were plenty of refreshments as well, as promised on the elaborate invitation

The house has elaborate iron gates and stone markers by the street

Whitfield is the mother of three children with ex-husband Bob Whitfield

The house has massive ceiling height and paned windows

Kim and Kroy weren't the only guests there with a pricey sports star

Eye spy: The house has been a plotline on past seasons and its long-awaited reveal promises to be on the upcoming season as well

It appeared with the crews waiting around before the party started that the night was being filmed

Police officers were there to help with traffic

Filmed at least a month ago, Whitfield says in the video that she's working on her landscaping