Community Spotlight
Luxury Homes for an Earthy Lifestyle:
ARLINGTON’S NEW ENCLAVE Why Arlington’s Barcroft Neighorhood was the Ideal Choice for UrbanVibe’s New Enclave of Modern Luxury Homes
The homes also provide outdoor living space on each level. “Yard work is a hassle. We craft seamless indoor/outdoor features that allow people to enjoy the outdoors while sitting under shaded porches, decks and patios. We reduce the amount of maintenance required so you can enjoy your time living and not working.”
The Barcroft neighborhood of South Arlington has always been known for its strong sense of community and an eclectic mix of colonial, Cape Cod and other classic architectural styles. When DC area builder, Joseph Shieh of UrbanVibe Residential was looking for the most ideal location to build Belmont Pointe, an enclave of five new modern and sustainably constructed homes, he found the neighborhood’s personality to be the ideal complement to his homes. Over the years those moving into Barcroft and surrounding South Arlington homes have gravitated towards the neighborly, socially-conscious and almost earthy feel of the area, and enjoy the abundance of community-focused offerings and recreational activities. Barcroft alone continues to build its concentration of community garden plots along Four Mile Run, Buchanan and 9th Streets and Fort Barnard. There is also the steady stream of bikers and runners along the trails flowing through Four Mile Run and Glencarlyn Park. Nearby Shirlington Dog Park is the area’s largest in size (29 acres of land) and arguably in foot (and paw) traffic with neighboring residents driving the distance to bring their pooches. Like its surrounding community, the Belmont Pointe enclave facilitates an open and community-spirited atmosphere. The homes organically integrate into the neighborhood surroundings rather than being sectioned off like a separate entity. The homes are designed through Joseph Shieh’s refusal to build exclusively on what is trending in popularity among new home buyers or friendlier to his bottom line, and more so according to his own standards of quality craftsmanship and forward-thinking design. “We eliminate cookie cutter stylization and incorporate cleaner, more sophisticated millwork and design elements, explains Shieh. The Belmont Pointe homes are sited higher out of the ground, to stand majestiJOSEPH SHIEH UrbanVibe Residential cally and afford maximum natural lighting. Casement windows and beautiful stone coloration with rich, deep colors evoke a nuanced contemporary look. We give a nod and pay homage to Craftsman styling, but let’s face it, linear gas fireplaces, elaborate free-standing sinks, high ceilings with grand eight foot doors, recessed lighting and wide format tile are not your typical finishes.”
The Belmont Pointe homes offer a new architectural style to Barcroft with his own signature twist on the contemporary Craftsman home. Each home is bordered with an abundance of floor-to-ceiling windows and geometric in shape. There is an incredibly open, almost Zen feel to the interior. The wood materials are harvested from sustainable forests and plumbing fixtures selected minimize water consumption. Shieh built the homes for the homeowner looking for luxury in terms of quality built construction and green living. “What I like most about our home is the craftsmanship, says Jim Miller who recently bought a home (The Ashton) at Belmont Pointe which he shares with his wife and six-year-old son. Simply put, it’s a solid home. When you first walk inside, you’ll notice the beautiful wide plank, oak, hardwood floors. Each level [of the home] is nine feet tall with eight foot doors. That alone opens up the entire house. There’s no guessing. Each room and space has a purpose.” In 2016, returning to their town home in North Arlington after spending two years abroad, the Millers realized their lifestyle priorities had changed. They were ready for their dream home and were desiring one that was newly built and located in Arlington so they could be close to work and their son’s school. “By happenstance, we walked into The Ashton at Belmont Pointe. We were looking for a new home, however, a luxury home and new construction in Arlington did not seem possible. Immediately, when we walked into The Ashton, my wife and I were transported to an alternate dimension, says Jim. For the Millers, the surrounding community was also their ideal long-term home with a diversity of recreational activities, neighborhood parks for their son to play and more of a serene overall feel. Belmont Pointe is also just a few blocks from the soon-to-come Village Center, a new apartment development by the Orr Partners that will also include a Harris Teeter, among other retail offerings. There is also the ever-bustling Columbia Pike Corridor providing an eclectic mix of restaurants and retail. One home remains at Belmont Pointe. Visit belmontpointe.com to learn more or email info@belmontpointe.com
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WRITTEN BY LIZ SACKS, VP of Marketing, Liberty Properties (a division of Smith | Schnider)