About Richmond's Windsor Farms Neighorhood

Perhaps my favorite Richmond Virginia architect is William Lawrence Bottomley, although Richmond was not his true home. Bottomley designed numerous meaningful and historically significant homes in Richmond, but it is perhaps a lesser known fact that he contributed to what many might consider a modest detail of importance at Virginia House.

One of Richmond Virginia's most interesting and historic homes sits overlooking the James River at the back of the exclusive Windsor Farms neighborhood. Virginia House completed construction only months prior to the stock market crash of 1929, and is a tale of romance and interest on its own.

It was the dream of Virginia & Alexander Weddell to construct a home from the materials of a sixteenth century English manor house. They engaged architect Henry Grant Morse, who was primarily a designer of public buildings. Morse traveled in the English countryside with Mr. and Mrs. Weddell as they looked for a model for the house they hoped to build in Windsor Farms. Virginia House is a structure still standing today. Unfortunately the house and gardens are now only open by appointment, but certainly worth a visit.

William Lawrence Bottomley designed many homes in Windsor Farms, but between the years of 1944-46 he designed a Loggia for Virginia House. He incorporated columns imported from Spain to be located on the south side of the home. The painted ceiling in the Loggia came in part from a sixteenth-century house that once stood on the site of Knole in England. The importing of materials from England was in keeping with Morse's intended design/construction concepts.

There are some additional interesting details Bottomley added on the Loggia worth noting, but we'll save that for your tour! Virginia House is located at 4301 Sulgrave Road, Richmond, VA, Phone: 804.353.4251

Research performed through the Virginia Historical Society

Richmond Real Estate

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Windsor Farms

Style: Custom built. High quality, multi-story colonials, revival styles and transitionals, built from the 1920-1960s, in various architectural styles. Mature landscapes on generously sized lots, characterize this highly desired neighborhood. Home sizes range from modest one-level to estate sized with outbuildings and gates.

Average Sales Price: $913 K

Schools: Serviced by Richmond City Schools of Munford Elementary, Albert Hill Middle, and Thomas Jefferson High School. Plus the highly sought-after Open High, and Community High and the International Bachelaureate Programs and the Governor's School Programs. Or by several exceptional Private schools ,several exceptional Private schools St. Christopher's, St. Catherine's, Steward School and Collegiate are within a few minutes drive.

Recreation: Provided by nearby country clubs and private facilities otherwise. And for those seeking 'recreational guidance', many seek out the SEALS program. If you prefer water based recreation, try rowing, sailing, yachting clubs, Virginia Boat Club, Richmond Yacht Club. Or if you prefer league sports, try volleyball, soccer, or tennis, plus there are great youth programs in Little League, Lacrosse, and swimming. Don't forget equestrian interests. There's also a premier climbing gym, just across the river and a sports park for practicing your batting or golfing skills.

Transportation: Located just west of Carytown, connections to Cary St. and the Downtown Expressway (I-195) just outside the neighborhood, making travel to Downtown, I-95, I-64, Powhite Expressway,Airport, so easy and efficient.

Benefits: Premier location that offers delightful mixture of housing styles and build dates, within a close knit community, that couldn't be more convenient to shopping, schools, downtown business district