Real Estate Weekly | 5.29.24

Real Estate Weekly

Featuring properties for sale and rent in and around Charlottesville as well as Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Orange and Augusta counties

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Experience Matters

By Sean Tubbs

Details are now known for the first of three UVA-initiated projects to build between 1,000 and 1,500 affordable housing units in the community.

“This is a project being pursued by the University’s real estate foundation at the northeast corner of 10th Street and Wertland,” says Jeffrey Werner, the city’s preservation planner. “There are some opportunities here for architectural creativity.”

UVA President Jim Ryan announced the general goal in March 2020, but work stalled during the pandemic. Three sites were selected in December 2021; they include the redevelopment of a faculty housing site on Fontaine Avenue and space at the North Fork Research Park. In all cases, developers will lease sites that will be owned by UVA’s foundation.

The two-acre site in the center of Charlottesville is currently a parking lot and a three-story apartment building owned by the foundation. In February, UVA selected a partnership consisting of the Bostonbased Preservation of Affordable Housing and the National Housing Trust.

“Our goal is to design this in context and collaboratively with the University of Virginia with the surrounding community and [to create] something that is financeable,” says J.T. Engelhardt of NHT, an organization that co-owns Kindlewood with the Piedmont Housing Alliance.

Under the city’s new CX-8 zoning, the developer could have gone as high as 11 stories. But on May 21, members of the Board of Architectural Review saw a sixstory structure that would take up much of the two-acre site.

“We’re assuming somewhere between 150 and 190 affordable rental units,” says Liz Chapman of Grimm + Parker, a local firm hired to actually design the building.

“That … range is largely driven by wanting to work with community stakeholders to

understand the types of residential units these should be.”

For instance, should they be built for individuals or for families?

Under the initial plan, vehicles would enter the 80-space parking garage on 10th Street, the same street that retail spaces will face. Chapman asked BAR members to identify what architectural cues the project should take and whether there were nearby examples of adequate public infrastructure for pedestrians.

BAR member James Zehmer pointed out that 10th Street is a very busy road and suggested the designers move the garage entrance to Wertland.

“I think this wants to be part of West Main because of the massing and size, but we need to respect there’s a much more residential neighborhood behind it,” Zehmer says.

Chapman said the preliminary idea is to build the structure as a concrete podium with wood construction because that’s the most feasible way to cover the costs. An internal courtyard would provide the outdoor amenity space in something referred to as a doughnut.

Planning Commissioner Carl Schwarz says he understands the reason for the design, but he doesn’t like that it looks like a fortress.

“It does feel like it’s walled itself off a little bit,” Schwarz says. “It makes a safe public space for the residents, but it’s not very welcoming to the neighborhood.”

BAR member Cheri Lewis encouraged the designers to create a way for vehicles to drop people off at the new building.

“You can’t stop on 10th Street,” Lewis said. “There’s no way. And I don’t think you can turn very easily without being backended anyway, so maybe there’s an opportunity there.”

In the near future, the redevelopment of Westhaven could mean additional affordable units. City Council has morally committed at least $15 million to the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

The view looking north on 10th Street NW with a rendering of the bulk of the proposed six-story building.

BENTIVAR MANOR

Exquisite brick home on 88 acres less than 5 miles from city limits. Residence is in excellent condition, 7-BR and 11,000+ sf. The property is a mix of pastures & woods with long frontage on the Rivanna River, & miles of trails. MLS#652353 $5,200,00 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

BELLAIR

Recently renovated contemporary home in soughtafter Bellair neighborhood! With 4-BR, 3.5-BA, and vaulted great room, this residence offers superb construction. Enjoy stunning views from the screened porch. MLS#652438 $2,875,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

HIGH FIELDS

Scenic 42-acre farm just 10 miles from Charlottesville. Features pastures, woodlands, serene creek, antique farmhouse, updated kitchen, 3-BA, 4-BR, and panoramic Blue Ridge Mountains vistas, and substantial barn. MLS#651245

$1,695,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

NEWLISTING

HYLAND RIDGE

21-acre lot in coveted Hyland Ridge, perfect for dream home near Charlottesville. Minutes from Downtown Mall, Martha Jefferson Hospital, UVA. Elevated, wooded parcel with Blue Ridge Mtn. views potential. MLS#652242 $975,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

FIELDS OF BOAZ

A country French estate on 24 acres 6 miles from the University of Virginia. Timeless charm and modern luxury with soaring ceilings, spacious primary suite, home office, wine cellar, guest quarters, and private pond. MLS#652608 $3,995,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

MILL HOUSE

Former house of noted local architect Floyd E. Johnson, on the banks of Totier Creek. Thoughtfully renovated and expanded, 5-BR, 3 full and 2 half BA. Guest house, 2-bay garage, pool, equipment shed plus 130 acres of open and wooded land. MLS#639196 $2,245,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

CRAIGS STORE ROAD

76 acre parcel in western Albemarle with compelling views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, diverse terrain, and multiple estate-caliber building sites. 15 miles from Charlottesville, not under conservation easement. MLS#652337 $1,150,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

NEWPRICE

MACLIN BUILDING CONDO

North of Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall, 2-BR, 2-BA Maclin Building condo offers modern amenities: 1,400 sf., gas FP, gourmet kitchen, glass window DR, urban, Blue Ridge views, parking, high-speed internet. MLS#651029 $695,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.007 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

MEADOW FARM

436+ acre parcel of land in Southern Albemarle! 4 division rights; complete privacy; lush, gently rolling terrain; long road frontage; stream; 3-acre lake; 125-135 acres of open land; mature hardwood forests. Under conservation easement. MLS#651411

$2,985,000 Charlotte Dammann, 433.981.1250

GIBSON’S HOLLOW

Ivy area! 160+ acre hidden, private Arcadia at the entrance to its own little valley. Multiple parcels and subdivision rights make it a conservation easement candidate. Backs up to Bundoran Farm. MLS#652577 $1,990,000 Tim Michel, 434.960.1124

NEWLISTING

SMITH ROAD

Scenic 2.4-acre lot with mountain views, a gravel driveway, and over an acre of grassy land. Complete with a 30 GPM well, electricity, and fencing. Perfect for your dream home, close to Crozet, Waynesboro, and Charlottesville. MLS#653155

$219,500 Jim Faulconer 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer 434.987.9455

KESWICK ESTATE

Discover Keswick Estate, a gated community near Keswick Hall, offering a 2.10± acre building site harmonizing country life and resort living in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Create your dream home close to golf, dining, tennis, and more. MLS#650785

$515,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700