Real Estate Weekly | 4.17.2024

Annie Gould Gallery

A unique art gallery located in the heart of historic Gordonsville.

109 S. Main Street, Gordonsville, VA • (540) 832-6352

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Change of plans?

Approved downtown apartment building may become 160-room hotel

By Sean Tubbs

The developer of a planned ninestory apartment building at 218 W. Market St. is considering building a hotel there instead.

“It’s a great opportunity to further expose the Downtown Mall to visitors coming into Charlottesville, and increase the vitality of our downtown,” says Jeffrey Levien of Heirloom Development.

In September 2020, City Council granted Levien’s company a special use permit for additional height and residential density for up to 134 apartments. On Tuesday, April 9, the Board of Architectural Review had a preliminary discussion on new plans that would instead see a six-story building with 160 rooms.

The BAR approved a demolition permit for the existing site in November 2021, but that authority runs out next March.

An official application has not yet been filed, and any new proposal will be reviewed under the city’s new zoning code. The Timmons Group developed a preliminary concept plan for a six-story building in which guests would be dropped off on Market Street. There would be 160 rooms in a 139,315 square-foot building. The new zoning does not require any parking spaces, but the structure’s plans include 116 spots in an internal garage.

The property is currently the home of a shopping center that still houses Artful Lodger and The Livery Stable. Last August, the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning for a new home for Artful Lodger at 2428 Richmond Rd.

Heirloom Development also created the 57-unit Six Hundred West Main apartment building that’s located behind the Blue Moon Diner. In addition, the company has plans to construct a similar residential structure next door, on the site of a former automotive repair shop.

Levien says that project is on hold while his company evaluates whether it may be better to proceed under the new zoning.

“It will take a considerable amount of design and costing and underwriting to figure that out,” he says.

If 218 W. Market St. does become a hotel, it would be next door to the Omni, which recently completed a $15 million renovation project.

Elsewhere in Charlottesville, the 198room Forum Hotel at the Darden School of Business opened last April, and the University of Virginia is constructing the 217-room Virginia Guesthouse as part of the Emmet-Ivy Corridor.

Last April, the burned-down husk of the Excel Inn was demolished to make way for a replacement seven-story, 72-room hotel. City Council approved a special use permit for that in October 2018, but the project has not moved forward.

There are currently no plans for anything to happen with the abandoned Downtown Mall shell, which is owned by Atlanta-based developer John Dewberry. It has now been more than 15 years since construction halted, and nearly 12 since Dewberry bought the property at auction for $6.25 million, and promised a luxury hotel.

“It’s a great opportunity to further expose the Downtown Mall to visitors coming into Charlottesville, and increase the vitality of our downtown.”

The BAR recently reviewed plans for a proposed downtown hotel that would feature 160 rooms for visitors, rather than more than 100 places for people to live.

OLD BALLARD ROAD

Set on over 2 acres of flat usable yard great for gardening, entertaining or playing - this 5 bedroom 4.5 bath home is defined by the large windows throughout. 3,391 sq ft above ground. First and second floor primary suites. Unique touches, light filled, thoughtfully designed.

SUNSET DRIVE

Excellent taste and craftsmanship have transformed this brick one story residence. Mountain views, hardwood floors, screened porch and a large deck. Wonderful backyard with room for a garden. Full terrace level includes a family room and workshop.

18 ACRES ADJOINING SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK

18 wooded acres adjoining George Washington National Forest in Madison County, Virginia. One mile from the Shenandoah National Park. This private cabin offers access to hiking trails, and features winter views to the foothills of the Piedmont. Spring views of numerous mature dogwood and redbud trees on the property. Summer dresses the property in green with ample sky above; autumn paints the property in red, orange and yellow and always there are nocturnal views to a starry sky. The rural quietude is punctured by the sound of the Rapidan River on the calmest of evenings. BY APPOINTMENT ONLY $499,000

TILMAN ROAD

Stone Contemporary cottage set on over 3 acres in Ivy. Beautiful great room with soaring ceiling and 20 ft. stone fireplace. This home offers 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, skylights, and bamboo floors. Primary suite features a spa-like bath. A wonderful screened porch lets you take in the surrounding nature. Peaceful and quiet. Western School District.

A Tuscan Villa-style manor home in the heart of the Greenwood Estate area of western Albemarle at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The main residence is comprised of the original, historic c.1820, twostory log home beautifully complementing the Shelter Associates-built residence completed in 1998. The 8-acre property also features a 2-car garage with hydraulic lifts, studio/office, guest house, pool and long frontage on Stockton Creek. $2,325,000

EDGEMONT

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 15 miles south of Charlottesville, is this rare 572-acre historic estate whose design is reputed to be the only remaining private residence attributed to Thomas Jefferson. $15,000,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700 www.HistoricEdgemont.com

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

HIGH FIELDS

Scenic 42-acre farm just 10 miles from Charlottesville. It features pastures, woodlands, a serene creek, antique farmhouse, updated kitchen, three bathrooms, four bedrooms, and panoramic Blue Ridge Mountain vistas, with a substantial barn. MLS#651245

$1,695,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

JAMES RIVER ROAD

Enjoy expansive pastoral views with the mountains in the background from this spacious 3-bedroom residence with wrap around porch on 5.44 acres. The tranquil atmosphere lends itself to full time living or a weekend retreat. Great high speed Internet.

MLS#651338 $539,000 C. Dammann, 434.981.1250

FARMINGTON

Charming Farmington Country Club residence with panoramic Blue Ridge Mountain views is situated on five lovely, landscaped acres. Circa 1930 with tasteful additions, this 5-bedroom stone house is enhanced by separate guesthouse, pool, office, koi pond & garage. MLS#650584 $6,650,000 Tim Michel, 434.960.1124

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 & wooded land. MLS#639196 $2,245,000 Court Nexsen, 646.660.0700

MACLIN BUILDING CONDO

North of Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall, 2BR/ 2BA condo offers modern amenities: 1,400 sq.ft., Brazilian cherry hardwood, gas FP, gourmet kitchen, glass window DR, urban, Blue Ridge views, and parking. MLS#651029 $777,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.007 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

MONTICELLO AVENUE

Exquisite 1-bedroom, 1-bath condo located just steps away from the Downtown Mall. Boasting pristine condition this unit features a gourmet eat-in kitchen, private balcony and more! Exceptional opportunity to experience the best of Downtown living!

MLS#651308 $520,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

HIGHER GROUND

27 acre estate, mountaintop retreat with 11,400 sf., 8-BR, 6.5-BA residence with many outside terraces, decks and unsurpassed panoramic mountain views! 10 miles to famed Omni Homestead Resort, 2 miles to the airport. www.highergroundva.org Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076 or Will Faulconer, 434.987.9455

FOR WATERS

133.77-acre land tract in scenic Madison County, near Graves Mountain Lodge, with Rose & Robinson trout rivers on property. Adjacent to Shenandoah National Forest, Camp Hoover, with Old Rag views. Includes cottage, barns and fenced. MLS#650696 $2,200,000 Jim Faulconer, 434.981.0076

THE BARRINGER

Immaculate two-story penthouse offering private luxury living in the heart of University of Virginia. Unparalleled views from the light filled spacious great room, kitchen, balcony, two en suite bedrooms, laundry and half bath. Assigned parking. MLS#650507 $689,000 Charlotte Dammann, 434.981.1250

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