Frank Hardy Sotheby's International Realty

Fall in Charlottesville is in full swing and this month’s real estate roundup features remarkable properties for all tastes. Whether you’d prefer to enjoy the autumnal weather from the expansive lawns of a 130 acre estate in King George, or through the floor-to-ceiling windows of a charming home in the heart of Charlottesville—set your sights on your next home in this month’s roundup.

2035 Hessian Road // Charlottesville, Virginia // Contact: Conor Murray, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.964.7100

The details: 4 bedrooms, 4 full and 1 partial bathrooms, 4,407 square feet, 0.82 acres
Features we love: Perfectly situated on a sunny lot, in the highly desirable and family-friendly Meadowbrook Hills neighborhood, this charming brick home boasts two master suites, large and ample windows, and high ceilings throughout. Enjoy the mature landscaping from the blue stone terraces in the front and back yards.

108 North Baker Street // Charlottesville, Virginia // Contact: Yates McCallum, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 415.994.2464

The details: 5 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, 2,056 square feet, 0.17 acres
Features we love: This pleasant duplex is in close proximity to the University of Virginia and its hospital as well as downtown Charlottesville. The property offers owners the ability to receive income through the rental of its two units, or can be converted back into a single family home.

Liberty Farm – 16212 Liberty Road // King George, Virginia // Contact: Maurice Covington, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.296.0134

The details: 4 bedrooms, 3 full and 1 partial bathroom, 4,600 square feet, 130 acres 
Features we love: An exceptional listing an hour drive outside of Washington D.C., Liberty Farm possesses 130 acres of green fields and mature hardwood trees. While the estate was originally built in 1796, the home has been renovated four times since this date, adding a custom-designed gourmet two-zone kitchen, as well as a formal living and dining room. The property also features a pool that emerges out of the natural background of the expansive back lawn, a 1,500 square foot guest house, and seven barn and storage facilities.

Queensland Estate – 0 Dogwood Drive // Kents Store, Virginia // Contact: Conor Murray, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.964.7100

The details: 200 acres
Features we love: Conveniently located between Charlottesville and Richmond, Queensland Estate is ready to be your countryside escape. Endless possibilities for development, farming, hunting, or a family retreat in bucolic Kents Store.

Keswick Country Retreat – 2884 Palmer Drive // Keswick, Virginia // Contact: Murdoch Matheson or Yates McCallum, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.981.7439

The details: 4 bedrooms, 4 full and 1 partial bathroom, 4,118 square feet, 4.15 acres
Features we love: Located in the charming neighborhood of Keswick Estate, this striking home was designed by renowned architectural firm, DGP Architects, and builders Element Construction. A lovely stone fireplace, coffered ceilings, herringbone brick floors and thoughtful custom built-ins throughout the home add to the overall luxury design aesthetic. Two laundry rooms, a grand primary suite complete with spacious spa-like bathroom, and walk-in closet lend an air of serenity and ease of living to this country retreat.

A large tract of land in Virginia offers plenty of history and intriguing potential.

Spread over 130 acres, Liberty Farm in King George, VA, dates back to the Revolutionary War. It’s on the market for $1.95 million, and a buyer will acquire the main house and a guesthouse, as well as several barns and storage buildings.

The main home dates to 1796, and was passed down through many generations of the same family.

“People just handed it down to individuals, whether they cared to take it or not. Unfortunately, one family member really wasn’t into it,” explains the current owner, Josette Gleason. “It sort of fell into a state of disrepair. Then a person who took it over brought it back to what we would consider somewhat more modern times.”

Whoever buys the historic farm will be only the fourth person to own the property who was not a member of the original family.

The main house has 6,000 square feet of living space, with four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms.

“I would call it a center-hall Colonial, built in an L-shape. It has had two major renovations,” Gleason explains.

When it was built in the late 18th century, the house did not have kitchens or a bathroom, as was typical at the time.

The most recent renovation took place in 2000, when the Gleasons bought it. Today, the showpiece of the home is the kitchen. It’s been featured in several magazines.

“It’s my baby. I designed the kitchen,” Gleason says. “I used to have a food education and catering business, and so it’s a place where the family could gather. If a family likes to cook together, you’ve got an ideal kitchen for it.”

There are multiple ovens, dishwashers, sinks, and other accoutrements designed for a home chef.

Other highlights include a formal dining and living room, four fireplaces, and an outdoor pool.

As for the guesthouse, it’s 1,500 square feet and has two bedrooms and a bathroom.

“The main house was in such disrepair in the early 1900s that the guy who brought it back to life built the guest cottage to live in while the house was being [updated] with modern electricity and water,” Gleason says.

She adds that the main house was shuttered and abandoned for some time, and was uninhabitable at the dawn of the 20th century.

Set on on a hill, the home captures breezes coming off the nearby Potomac River. Wildlife is abundant in the nearby forest.

“The first thought that comes to my mind is privacy. You are totally surrounded by mature trees. If you’re into running around naked, no problem. It’s really private,” Gleason says with a laugh. “I didn’t realize how much I appreciated the privacy until I lived here for a couple of years.”

Seven barns and storage structures dot the land—some in better condition than others. They’re all structurally sound, but will require updates. One of them comes with a dose of history.

“One of the barns was a cavalry remount station,” Gleason explains.

When the nearby Army and Navy troops would move soldiers and supplies by horse, they would need a place to stop for their steeds.

“This property had a stop on a main road where they could refresh the horses. They would come in, they would get food, they could get their water,” she adds.

While the purpose of the remount station is clear, how the property itself came to be known as Liberty Farm is a bit fuzzy.

“I can’t answer why it was named Liberty Farm,” Gleason says, adding that the name appears in all the historical supporting documentation. “One can only imagine that the time and the sentiment around America at that point was liberty and freedom. If I had to guess, that’s what I’d say.”

Whoever buys the property will enjoy the freedom to choose what to do with it.

“The perfect buyer could be someone who is really into history and who values the historic relevance of this property. Additionally, on the flip side of that, there are no covenants or restrictions in place right now. So if somebody wanted to come in and develop the land further, they really could,” says the listing agent for the property, Maurice Covington with Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty.

“There are endless possibilities with this property. It could be great for someone who wanted secure and private living and who appreciates its history, but also great for someone who wanted to come in and maybe develop and be kind of close to the Potomac and Washington, DC,” he says.

Gleason says she feels the history wafting throughout the house.

“I’m an owner as far as the bank is concerned, but I’m just the next caretaker of this place,” she says. “Many people have come before me—builders, caretakers. I’m just the next caretaker, and so we’re hoping to find someone who loves it and appreciates it as much as we do, to be the next caretaker.”

• For more photos and details, check out the full listing!

Article courtesy of Realtor.com

Billionaire Ron Perelman Offering Quitenssential Hamptons Retreat for $115M

Businessman Ron Perelman listed a second heavyweight residence in the greater New York City area late this summer.

The banker and investor listed a pair of connected townhouses in Lenox Hill last October, one asking $65 million and the other asking $10 million; this spring, the larger of the two—which measures in at 15,875 sq. ft. and was completed in 1930—returned with a $60 million ask, and it remains for sale at that price.

Joining the six-floor Manhattan mansion is Perelman’s Hamptons retreat. The sizeable estate is priced at $115 million. Its grounds span 9.5 acres, and include 385 feet of sandy beachfront.

• 

• 

A lengthy tree-lined drive is the preamble to the living style, a leisurely straightaway that concludes at a stone paver motor court. The house dates to 1971, and is more or less a modern design with some potent rustic elements—a fieldstone fireplace accent wall, exposed ceiling trussing and hardware—amid the glassiness and industrial design elements.

Highlights of this house include the sunroom that overlooks the ocean, the master bedroom, and the second-floor overlook above the foyer. Sliding glass doors pop up frequently in the home’s design, allowing access to the grounds, where lawns, gardens, walking paths and a Gunite pool comprise a convincing vision of Hamptons summer.

Perelman’s net worth is around $3 billion, according to Forbes.

More info

---

Billionaire Bruce Karsh Offering Beverly Hills Manse at $50M After Price Cut

The last time we looked at a residential property owned by billionaire investor Bruce Karsh, the story concerned the sale of a Brentwood estate; the Oaktree Capital co-founder picked up the 1940-built, 8,617 sq. ft. Georgian in 2014 for $33.7 million, and sold it in the spring of 2019 for $33.5 million.

Karsh is no doubt hoping for a better resolution concerning his newest residential real estate sales venture. It’s another Southern California property this time around, a 1930-built Tudor manor in Beverly Hills Post Office which, according to public records, the billionaire picked up in 2000.

Records indicate that Karsh paid a hair over $12 million for it. Karsh initially offered the three-acre estate for sale last summer, when it appeared with a $59.5 million asking price. But it reemerged last month tagged at $49.5 million.

• 

• 

Space, history and a fine mix of original details and modern updates define a pencil sketch of this substantial estate, which was treated to a protracted restoration by Michael S. Smith. Smith included a survey of the property in his book The Curated House.

Three acres is of course a generous parcel for this neck of the woods, and the grounds have plenty of room to establish an escapist feeling while packing in the mansion, a tennis court with a lounge, a pool and pool house, a heated gazebo, and walking paths that meander through the tree-studded landscaping and garden design from Christine London.

The interiors beguile with their sense of history; original details include hand-stenciled ceilings, Venetian plaster, exposed timber, limestone fireplaces, panoramic wall covering, and French doors. Specialty rooms include a salon with a depression-era bar, a billiards room, and a library.

Listing information puts the square footage at 16,439 sq. ft.; the measurement may well include the pool house, a two-level structure containing two suites.

Karsh’s net worth is north of $2 billion.More info

A pedigreed, 1951-built modern-style Los Angeles-area home is new to the market. The Chatsworth property comes with a substantial privacy buffer: the grounds measure in at 13.72 acres, and overlook the Chatsworth Preserve. It is priced at $21.5 million. Represented by Barrie Livingstone of Sotheby’s International Realty Malibu Brokerage!

The seven-bedroom house is notable for being the longtime rented residence of jazz vocalist Frank Sinatra during the peak of his career, and for being an extra in television programs and feature films. It was designed by William Pereira, a modern-minded architect whose high-profile work includes the Transamerica Pyramid, which continues to define the cityscape of the financial district of San Francisco.

For an early-1950s modern, the single-level house’s overall transparency seems prescient; glass walls illuminate the living areas, virtually obliterating the demarcation between interiority and exteriority. Additional materials at work include block glass and masonry.

The shared spaces are incredibly buoyant and liberating, but the glass-and-space emphasis isn’t the whole story. Warm wood sneaks in, as well as a bit of ornament here and there, including midcentury fireplaces, terrazzo kitchen countertops and hardwood floors.

Other interesting design elements of this property include the arcade lounge connecting the studio/guest house and main house and overlooking the 50-foot pool, a modern twist on a classical flourish.

Sinatra’s records have sold over 150 million units worldwide. His first studio album, The Voice of Frank Sinatra, topped the Billboard chart, foretelling the success to come. He released 59 studio albums over a career spanning 54 years. More info

Please welcome Frank Hardy’s newest agent!

Virginia is a dedicated real estate professional who will anticipate and manage details so that her clients can truly enjoy their next real estate endeavor.  Raised on summers at the lake house, aviation, and rigorous early schooling, Virginia discovered the path of positivity, inclusion and collaborative work ethic while earning her degree at The University of Virginia. The life-long friendships she has made along that path influence her personal and professional growth every day.  

Virginia has worked with real estate customers, clients and professionals for almost ten years.  After she and her husband purchased their first property in 2011, Virginia became licensed in Florida.  When the Navy brought them to Charlottesville in 2014, Virginia began working for Piedmont Housing Alliance and directed their Housing Counseling department.  While there, she cultivated relationships with local real estate professionals who are experts in their fields.  Due to the nature of her work at Piedmont Housing Alliance, Virginia was personally involved in over one hundred real estate transactions over four years.  She draws on that experience to deliver a level of service beyond that of her contemporaries.  

Virginia has always had a passion for real estate and was drawn specifically to Frank Hardy Sotheby’s because the firm supports associates who value high standards and a spirit of cooperative professionalism.     

3470 Old Lynchburg Road, North Garden, Virginia

The fall season is upon us and some may be beginning to find themselves in a transitional mindset. If the summer coming to a close is inspiring you to scout out a new homebase, we’ve rounded up some truly spectacular options. From an old Civil War general store, to a charming estate in Crozet, take a tour of these unique properties!

Headquarters – 5057 Headquarters Lane // Crozet, Virginia // Contact: Frank Hardy, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.296.0134

The details: 5 bedrooms, 3 full and 1 partial bathroom, 5,580 square feet, 428.75 acres
Features we love: Headquarters estate is sure to impress the everyday homebuyer and history buffs alike. Set on a large parcel of land in family-friendly Crozet, this is the perfect opportunity to create a private homestead. Inside, owners and guests will delight in the original heart pine flooring, antique hardware, and historical architectural flourishes throughout. In addition to the charming main house, the property also features two barns, run-in sheds, and manager’s house.

Fox Mountain Road // Free Union, Virginia // Contact: Ann Hay Hardy, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 202.297.0228

The details:450 acres
Features we love: An extraordinary opportunity to buy just under 450-acres in northern Albemarle County. Peaceful and private, this land has great potential with an elevated building site to build your future dream home.

3470 Old Lynchburg Road // North Garden, VA // Contact: Murdoch Matheson, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.981.7439

The details: 6 bedrooms, 3 full and 1 partial bathroom, 8,164 square feet, 52.72 acres
Features we love:Built in 1800, this historic property was once a Civil War general store. Renovated in 1996, the home now offers modern comfort, classic style, and the privacy of over 52 acres. The interior features antique beams and vaulted ceilings, five stone fireplaces, beautiful moldings, and historic details. The exterior and outdoor spaces include large porches, a bluestone courtyard, a private hot tub and sauna, and a nearby stream. Also found on the property are a guest house built as a music studio and a flexible indoor tennis facility/gym space, which could be utilized a number of ways. 

585 Ragged Mountain Drive // Charlottesville, Virginia // Contact: Conor Murray, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.964.7100

The details: 5 bedrooms, 5 full and 1 partial bathroom, 8,490 square feet, 2.85 acres
Features we love: Nestled away in prestigious Ivy, this Ragged Mountain estate has the benefit of being only minutes from downtown Charlottesville, while still providing future owners maximum privacy. The interior of the residence has been completely renovated with upgraded finishes throughout, including heated floors, 5 fireplaces, custom cabinetry, and a state-of-the-art kitchen. Enjoy sweeping Blue Ridge Mountain views from the stone patio, take a walk through the rolling lawn, or delight in equestrian pursuits at the horse riding area and stables.

Marrach – 862 Stevens Road // Troutville, Virginia // Contact: Conor Murray, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.964.7100

The details:3 bedrooms, 4 full and 3 partial bathrooms, 7,963 square feet, 46.73 acres
Features we love:  This alluring French Chateau-style, custom-built home sits on 46+ acres of pastoral countryside. With an expansive stone patio overlooking a five acre pond and 180 degrees of unobstructed views, the home features an upgraded copper roof, reclaimed timber beams, a gourmet kitchen, and wet bar.

9089 Liberty Mills Road // Somerset, Virginia // Contact: Murdoch Matheson, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.981.7439

The details:4 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 2,952 square feet, 4.47 acres
Features we love: Nestled in the countryside of Somerset, this delightful Victorian farmhouse is the quintessential family home or weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Set on the Rapidan River, on nearly 4.5 acres of rolling hills, this historic farm is steeped in history, while still providing modern conveniences.

Queensland Estate – 0 Dogwood Drive // Kents Store, Virginia // Contact: Conor Murray, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.964.7100

The details: 200 acres
Features we love: Conveniently located between Charlottesville and Richmond, Queensland Estate is ready to be your countryside escape. Endless possibilities for development, farming, hunting, or a family retreat in bucolic Kents Store.

In ancient mythology, Aurora, the goddess of dawn, would dance across the sky announcing the arrival of the sun each day. An address on Aurora Lane, then, feels fitting for this one-of-a-kind home, which with its southern orientation and walls of glass revels sunlight from morning till night.

Glen Ellen, California | Charles Lamp, Gina Clyde, and Courtney Keating, Sotheby’s International Realty – Wine Country – First Street Brokerage

Measuring some 5,000 square feet, the dazzling residence is integrated into a golden grassy hillside dappled with the shade of tall oaks. Throughout the chic spaces, the sleek, clean lines of consummate contemporary style harmonize with the softness and warmth of organic hues and surfaces, found in stucco, white-washed cedar ceilings with rugged beams, Moroccan tile, Roman Clay walls, wide-plank French white oak floors, and prevalent other creative uses of wood and stone.

Feeling lofted above the hill and valley below, the home’s highlight is a kitchen where walls of Fleetwood glass open to a spacious deck, erasing the line between the interiors and their breathtaking view. Fitted with custom-crafted cabinetry and quartz countertops is an impressive island that seats six and is accompanied by a Bertazzoni Heritage series six-burner gas range, two Bosch dishwashers, and both an undercounter freezer with an icemaker and a full-size refrigerator from Sub-Zero. Nearby is a butler’s pantry with dual-zone 138-bottle wine chiller.

The nexus of soigné living and entertaining is a great room anchored by a fireplace framed by Venetian plaster and eye-catching stone. Adding to the appeal are an inviting dining room with a distinctive modern chandelier, a library with custom white oak cabinetry and Arteriors lighting, a media room, a wine cellar with a capacity in excess of 1,000 bottles, and a soothing cedar sauna.

Many of the bedrooms and baths are serene aeries that also seem to float above the terrain. Although the idyllic view can take center stage in the owner’s bedroom, remote controlled blackout drapes create consummate privacy when desired. The en suite bath is the paradigm of luxury, with heated floors, a soaking tub, an airy glass-walled shower, and a custom-outfitted cherrywood walk-in closet. One of the two restful guest suites benefits from its own deck.

Visitors will relish the similarly sophisticated freestanding guesthouse featuring one bedroom, a full bath with a soaking tub, a kitchen with knotty alder cabinetry and a five-burner gas range, private laundry facilities, its own two-car garage, and a deck for appreciating the vistas.

A variety of covered and open-air outdoor spaces—one with a gas fire pit—have been designed and perfectly positioned for maximum enjoyment of the stunning Valley of the Moon vistas and wine country’s legendary weather. Just down the hill, via paths crafted from French limestone pavers, is a refreshing saltwater swimming pool with an integrated spa and an accompanying outdoor kitchen pavilion with a built-in grill, sink, and refrigerator.

The estate’s rarefied 15-acre location—minutes from the historic Sonoma Plaza and an hour from San Francisco—is highly private and secure. Abundant conveniences and amenities—Wi-Fi enabled exterior lighting and irrigation controls, CAT 5 wiring, cable and satellite service, high-speed internet access, tankless water heaters, and two heating and air-conditioning systems serving three zones—prove that despite an address that brings antiquity to mind, the estate is firmly rooted in luxurious modernity.

Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com

This month’s roundup features several stunning homes in Charlottesville proper and just outside of town. Whether you are looking for a new build with modern farmhouse vibes or a stately brick colonial with stellar views, read on to find your next dream home.

585 Ragged Mountain Drive // Charlottesville, Virginia // Contact: Conor Murray, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.964.7100

The details: 5 bedrooms, 5 full bathrooms, 1 partial bathroom, 8,490 square feet, 2.85 acres
Features we love: Nestled away in prestigious Ivy, this Ragged Mountain estate has the benefit of being only minutes from downtown Charlottesville, while still providing future owners maximum privacy. The interior of the residence has been completely renovated and features upgraded finishes throughout, including heated floors, 5 fireplaces, custom cabinetry, and a state-of-the-art kitchen. Enjoy sweeping Blue Ridge Mountain views from the stone patio, take a walk through the rolling lawn, or delight in equestrian pursuits at the horse riding area and stables.

10291 Old Ridge Road // Ashland, Virginia // Contact: Frank Hardy, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.296.0134

The details: 5 bedrooms, 5 full bathrooms, 1 partial bathroom, 6,000 square feet, 114 acres
Features we love: Built on 114 acres of Virginia countryside, this alluring home will make you feel as if you’ve been transported to the Hill Country of Texas. Wood and stone throughout the exterior and interior create a warm and cozy ambiance, while still feeling spacious and contemporary. Outdoors, hay fields, an expansive covered porch, and multiple barns with horse stalls, will delight those that are looking to be one with nature.

Wild Air – 1007 Winery Lane // Roseland, Virginia // Contact: Katherine Leddington, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 646.593.0333

The details: 3 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 1 partial bathroom, 4,000 square feet, 11.29 acres
Features we love: Savor panoramic views of the mountains and Rockfish Valley from this lovely colonial-style home. It’s an elegant country home, with a generous primary bedroom and bathroom, finished basement, wine cellar, and two-level porch, ideal for relaxation. Eleven acres of gracious lawns and garden spaces, this home brings the elegance of country living in Virginia without the maintenance of a large farm.

Queensland Estate – 0 Dogwood Drive // Kents Store, Virginia // Contact: Conor Murray, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.964.7100

The details: 200 acres
Features we love: Conveniently located between Charlottesville and Richmond, Queensland Estate is ready to be your countryside escape. Endless possibilities for development, farming, hunting, or a family retreat in bucolic Kents Store.

601 Old Forge Way // Madison, Virginia // Contact: John Kelly, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 443.690.6290

The details: 3 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 4,404 square feet, 7 acres
Features we love: A charming brick home in the heart of Madison, with three bedrooms and three full bathrooms, make this an ideal homestead for a young family or retired couple. The attractive floor-plan is highlighted by a spacious den with cathedral ceilings, screened porch, finished basement, and recreation room. Enjoy al fresco meals under the cedar pergola in the backyard, while relishing in the privacy provided by the seven acres of forested lot this property sits on.

195 Red Hill Road // Orange, Virginia // Contact: Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.296.0134

The details: 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, 3,750 square feet, 1.33 acres
Features we love: A well-appointed home, located in a quiet neighborhood about 30-miles northeast of Charlottesville. The recently replaced circular driveway, mature landscaping, and an elevated lot creates ample curb appeal. Inside, an updated kitchen with custom cabinetry, farmhouse sink, and new appliances, will inspire even the most hesitant of home chefs. The spacious family room features three walls of windows, looking out onto the serene tree-lined lot.

Keswick English Country Manor – 2571 Palmer Drive // Keswick, Virginia // Contact: Murdoch Matheson or Yates McCallum, Frank Hardy Sotheby’s International Realty, 434.981.7439 or 434.296.0134

The details:4 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, 1 partial bathroom, 4,080 square feet, 2.7 acres
Features we love: Located in the highly desirable neighborhood of Keswick Estate, this striking home is situated on a wooded 2.7 acre lot. The traditional interior layout features a spacious main level primary bedroom off of the large light-filled living/dining room, and an eat-in kitchen that all surround a beautiful bluestone porch off the back. This inviting home designed by DGP Architects and built by Element Construction presents a modern adaptation of an English Country Manor.