Many cities may claim architectural "charm" and unique "character," but Richmond is truly defined by those qualities.
From compact urban row houses to stately homes surrounded by tall trees to loft apartments in the heart of downtown, there really
is something for every taste.
With whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking and rock climbing, to world-class museums and quality performing arts, Richmond has
something to offer everyone.
Central
Central Richmond is, geographically and socially, the heart of the city. The area includes Richmond's best-known example of urban living, The Fan, as well as the architecturally diverse and culturally rich West of the Boulevard and the quiet Byrd Park and Carillon neighborhoods along the river.
Corner bars, restaurants and markets are interspersed with row houses featuring some of the best turn-of-the-century Victorian architecture left in the South, especially in The Fan. A dynamic mix of students, artists, professionals, and long-time residents give this area a particular flavor unmatched anywhere. Those who live here are passionate about their neighborhoods, and active community associations help maintain the quality of life.
The area includes many of the city's best-known attractions, including Monument Avenue, the only street in America designated as a National Historic Landmark, Hollywood Cemetery, Byrd Park and Maymont, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Union University, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and the Carytown shopping district. It also contains a few lesser-known areas, such as the Oregon Hill neighborhood, originally home to many of the workers who toiled in the factories that used to line the banks of the James River below. It now features a fiercely independent blend of residents and some of the best examples of wooden row house construction in the city.
The Fan
Just west of downtown, The Fan is 85 blocks of charming houses that represent some of the finest turn-of-the-century domestic architecture remaining in the South. It is one of the largest intact Victorian neighborhoods in the state, if not the nation, and makes up the majority of the Fan Area Historic District.
The Fan was so named because of the way its streets spread out at angles from Monroe Park at Belvidere Street to the Boulevard. It includes gracious mansions and large statues, tree-lined parks and streets, beautifully landscaped courtyards, rooftop gardens, cobblestone alleys and brick sidewalks. Numerous neighborhood restaurants, pubs and stores add to the area's charm. The academic campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, one of the nation's premiere urban universities, is located primarily within the neighborhood and many of Richmond's historic and cultural attractions and parks are minutes away.
The Fan is famous for town houses, and the variety is incredible; Federal, Greek Revival, Richardson Romanesque, Queen Anne, Tudor Revival, Spanish Colonial, Art Deco, and Italianate styles are all represented. Opulent Victorian and Edwardian mansions, as well as American Four Squares and bungalows, can also be found in the neighborhood.
Residents include students and faculty from Virginia Commonwealth University, as well as families, singles and professionals from diverse social, economic and ethnic backgrounds.
Style Weekly Magazine, a local newspaper, described The Fan, "There's an eclectic coolness here in these anti-burbs, mixing students with seniors, busy duplexes that hold their character among beautifully restored house tour-quality classics, all in a neighborhood that no urban planner could duplicate today."
Museum District (West of the Boulevard)
Nestled between The Fan and Richmond's West End, the Museum District/West of the Boulevard neighborhood is one of Richmond's most significant collections of early 20th century architecture. The district, which includes 22 properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, became the state's third largest historic district in 1993, and was added in its entirety to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
The Museum District/West of the Boulevard includes a diverse mix of residences, businesses, public buildings and museums. The district features the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Historical Society, brick row houses, detached townhouses, apartment buildings, small commercial structures, churches, a synagogue and schools.
Architectural styles include everything from Queen Anne, Romanesque Revival, Colonial Revival, and Classical Revival, to Craftsman, Mediterranean, Tudor Revival and Art Deco. The Museum District/West of the Boulevard neighborhood was one of the first planned suburban areas in the city, with development beginning in 1893. Most of the houses were built between 1895 and the mid-1940s and are well preserved.
The dense population of the Museum District/West of the Boulevard, its close proximity to the Carytown shopping district and its sidewalks and shade trees help define the area as a flourishing pedestrian environment.
Byrd Park & Carillon
The Byrd Park and Carillon neighborhoods are geographically central to Richmond. Both feature lovely, tree-lined streets landscaped yards and beautiful gardens. These neighborhoods are professionally, racially, politically and economically diverse, and combine the convenience of city living - both neighborhoods are less than five minutes from downtown - with the tranquility of a park environment. Maymont, the city's nature center, is adjacent to Byrd Park and a favorite destination for Richmonders.
The Byrd Park neighborhood is located north and east of its namesake and its three lakes; Boat, Swan and Shields. Homes include row houses built in the 1920s, two-story frame bungalows, brick Colonials, Cape Cods, tri-levels, ranchers and American Four Squares mostly built in the 1930s and 1940s. Westover Road hosts a number of large lakefront Spanish, Georgian and Colonial Revival mansions. Fountain Lake features upscale condos. Just to the east of the neighborhood lies historic Hollywood Cemetery.
The Carillon neighborhood is located west of Byrd Park, just north of the James River. Originally developed in the 1920s, the neighborhood features Georgian, Dutch, Tudor and modern tri-level homes. The 240-foot-high Carillon, the city's World War I memorial, and Dogwood Dell, an outdoor amphitheater, are neighborhood landmarks.
Downtown
Richmond's downtown is unique compared to other areas of the city because of its intensive mix of retail, commercial, and
residential development. When Richmonders refer to "downtown," they generally mean the business or governmental center of the city.
A steady influx of new residents, restaurants and shops, however, is giving downtown a neighborhood identity all its own.
Available living space has increased dramatically in recent years. Former industrial and office buildings with rich histories are
being converted into apartments and condominiums, adding thousands of new residential units downtown. Revitalization and creative
development are reinvigorating the architectural and cultural treasure that is Jackson Ward, arguably the most historically
significant African-American neighborhood in the nation.
Five-star hotels, restaurants serving an enormous variety of cuisine, premiere theatrical entertainment and the hottest nightclubs
in town are mere blocks from each other, and the streets between them serve as gateways to 250 years of history. Richmond's
innovative Canal Walk connects the past and future of the city's riverfront while bringing apartments, business and shops to the
banks of the James River.
With residential, entertainment and business opportunities, Richmond's downtown has become a neighborhood where you can truly live,
work and play.
Shockoe
The Shockoe neighborhood is generally referred to as two separate areas, known in local shorthand as "The Slip" and "The Bottom."
In fact, Shockoe is not really a "neighborhood" in the conventional sense of the word. Named for the creek that ran through it in
Colonial times, the area was once Richmond's manufacturing center, and industrial buildings are the predominate structures.
Shockoe Slip was so named for the docks at its southern end, where cargo was loaded and unloaded. Shockoe Bottom's most famous tenants were the tobacco warehouses and rolling plants, which, from the 1870s until the early 1990s, turned out a significant percentage of the nation's cigarettes. Shockoe Slip offers unique fare.
Now, the brick walls of former warehouses and factories echo with dance music and the conversations of diners. Shockoe Slip has been home to upscale dining and shopping for a number of years, and with the completion of the city's floodwall in 1994, developers and entrepreneurs also discovered what the Bottom had to offer. The centerpiece of the redevelopment is Tobacco Row, where former cigarette plants and tobacco warehouses are being converted into condominiums and loft apartments.
here are still plenty of smaller redeveloped structures as well and even one and two-bedroom second-floor apartments scattered
throughout Shockoe. Most tenants won't spend much time in their homes, however, as a wide array of restaurants, clubs and shops wait
to be explored, and attractions such as the city's 17th Street Farmers' Market, the Canal Walk, and Brown's Island are only blocks
away.
If you want to be at the center of the action, Shockoe is the place for you.
Jackson Ward
Jackson Ward is one of Richmond's most valuable and significant neighborhoods. It was here that Bill "Bojangles" Robinson danced,
Duke Ellington played, and generations of African-Americans worked in what was once called "The Wall Street of Black America" because
of its many banks. They included St. Luke's Penny Savings Bank, where Maggie Walker served as the nation's first woman bank
president. The bank still operates today, and the Maggie Walker House is a national landmark.
The area was a center for black enterprise and entertainment from the early 1920s to the late 1940s. Each year, the neighborhood
hosts the Second Street Festival to celebrate the history and vitality of that time.
A majority of the city's cast-iron porches are found in this neighborhood and reflect the influence of the European craftspeople
that once lived here. The neighborhood is filled with Greek and Georgian Revival, Queen Anne and Italianate houses, many adorned
with elaborate ironwork.
But Jackson Ward is also looking ahead. Its location, halfway between Virginia Commonwealth University's campus and the office
towers of downtown, is a great asset. Aggressive revitalization and renovation efforts are bringing many properties back to their
former glory. Projects such as the Dairy Building apartments and the expanded convention center are adding a new dimension to the
existing neighborhood. For Jackson Ward, the future is now shaping up to be as bright as the past.
East End
Richmond's East End is the city's birthplace. It was among its hills overlooking the James River that William Byrd II, who owned the land, founded his new settlement, and named after a city in England that had a similar view of the Thames River.
The most recognized of these hills is Church Hill, named for its many churches, the most renowned of which is St. John's Episcopal, site of Patrick Henry's speech. The surrounding neighborhood, also known as Church Hill, is Richmond's oldest, and its antebellum homes, gas lamps, brick sidewalks, and national historic status make it the City's most famous as well.
However, there is more to the East End than the historic district. New developments north of Broad, such as Jefferson Mews and Charity Square, are adding to the diverse character of the area, and an ongoing revitalization process is bringing many older homes back to life. Libby Terrace offers spectacular views of the James River, Tobacco Row, and downtown.
The Fulton area, south of Church Hill against the county line, offers quiet streets, small frame and brick houses and a close- knit community. A strong sense of family and local pride exists throughout the East End; neighbors look out for each other and many families have lived in the same house for generations.
For a great sample of what Richmond has to offer"history, beauty, family and opportunity"look no farther than its East End.
Church Hill
The Church Hill neighborhood embodies the historic nature of Richmond. Included in its boundaries are most of the original 32 blocks of the town laid out by Captain William Mayo in 1737.
Overlooking Shockoe and downtown, Church Hill is Richmond's first historic district. Among its many historical attractions is St. John's Episcopal Church, where Patrick Henry delivered his famous "give me liberty or give me death" speech, and Chimborazo Park, site of the Civil War's largest military hospital.
The area around St. John's Church is the oldest intact residential district in the city. It features restored antebellum homes ranging from modest cottages to the magnificent mansions of some of the neighborhood's original residents, the managers of Shockoe Valley = factories. These handsome places reflect influences of Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian architectural styles in their construction. Intricate iron grillwork, made locally, frames porticoes fronting wide streets and decorates long verandas, some leading to lush gardens.
Complementing the older structures are developments such as Jefferson Mews on Jefferson Street and Charity Square on 25th Street. Locations such as Libby Terrace offer breathtaking views of the James River. Renovations to Main Street Station at the foot of Church Hill will bring passenger trains and other transportation services near the doorsteps of neighborhood residents.
Several parks offer attractive green spaces and, thanks to the hilly location, many homes have views of the river or the city skyline. Gas street lamps and brick sidewalks on certain blocks add to the area's historic ambiance.
Fulton
Richmond's Fulton neighborhood is one of its hidden treasures. Located southeast of Church Hill along the banks of Gillies Creek and on the heights overlooking downtown and the old Manchester docks, Fulton offers the quality housing and community spirit of years gone by.
The neighborhood features a wide variety of housing styles, from American Four Squares to Cape Cods. There are even a few Craftsman Cottages scattered along its streets, as well as several old farmhouses. Though the area is historically rich, most of the houses were constructed between the 1930s and 1950s and are a mix of brick and frame construction. Residents of the community have a strong sense of civic pride and are very involved in local associations.
Among the local sights are the National Cemetery, where veterans from the Civil War to the Persian Gulf War are buried, and Powhatan Hill Park, which offers a playground, a community center and magnificent views of downtown and the south side of the city.
Northside
Richmond's Northside has offered city residents an ideal living environment since the turn of the last century, when an innovative electric streetcar system first made it possible for people to live on the edges of the city while still working downtown. The first of these "streetcar suburbs" was developed in 1890, and by the 1920s Northside was one of Richmond's most desirable areas in which to live.
This legacy can still be seen in neighborhoods such as Ginter Park, Sherwood Park and Bellevue: spacious houses on large lots, streets lined with mature trees, and an established community infrastructure within minutes of downtown offices and cultural amenities. Other areas of Northside, such as Highland Park, are being brought back to their former glory through creative City programs such as Neighborhoods in Bloom.
The area also contains scenic Bryan Park with its breathtaking azaleas, as well as the Gothic campus of Union Theological Seminary and The Diamond, home to the Richmond Braves baseball team. Today, Northside offers the same qualities that made it desirable 100 years ago; the best of both urban and suburban living.
Ginter Park
The Ginter Park and Sherwood Park neighborhoods lie just north of central Richmond. Despite being only a stone's throw from downtown, both communities possess a tranquil air and ample greenery, reflecting their original intent as refuges from the bustle of the city's urban center.
Ginter Park is the older of the two neighborhoods, and among the city's first planned developments. It has retained most of its enlightened, turn-of-the century residential planning qualities that established its reputation as "Queen of the Suburbs." It was originally an independent community, but was incorporated into the city in 1914.
The neighborhood occupies a 21-block area in the heart of North Side and most of the properties are at least 60 years old. Architectural styles vary from Victorian cottages to Georgian mansions, and most homes were built on ample lots with beautiful gardens and foliage. Features include spectacular, mature trees, especially on Seminary Avenue, where they form archways over the street.
The Sherwood Park neighborhood lies just to the south of Ginter Park, along Brookland Park Boulevard. It was also annexed by the city in 1914. Streets and roads bear names rich in English associations: Robin Hood, Little John, Chatham, Suffolk, Gloucester and Whitby. The city's Little John Park is a local attraction. The handsome community offers spacious brick homes, generous yards and quiet streets.
Bellevue
The Bellevue neighborhood extends north from Ginter Park to the city limits along Westbrook Avenue. Originally part of Henrico County, the area was annexed into the city in 1940. The houses in the community vary in size from small dwellings to spacious homes. Cottages and bungalows abound with many featuring large windows, wide porches and verandas.
The architecture ranges from Italianate to Spanish with tile roofs to American Four Square. Roads lined with shade trees curve and meander through the neighborhood. Just west of Bellevue is the expansive Joseph Bryan Park, with walking trails, lakes and its beautiful displays of azaleas.
Highland Park
The neighborhood of Highland Park is situated on the heights above Shockoe Valley, just north of downtown Richmond. The history of the area goes back to 1820, but the neighborhood's development did not begin until the late 1890s, when Highland Park became one of Richmond's original streetcar suburbs.
Now, the southern tip of Highland Park, featuring the most extensive collection of Queen Anne architecture left in the city, is being reborn through the Neighborhoods in Bloom (NiB) program. NiB is a public/private partnership that targets specific areas within older urban neighborhoods and provides a range of resources to make structural, environmental and community improvements. Through hard work and the dedicated commitment of neighbors, many of Highland Park's beautiful old homes are now ready for a new generation to discover. For more information about the NiB program, consult the back cover of this brochure.
Southside
Richmond's Southside offers its residents a wealth of natural beauty, including river views, quiet, tree-lined streets and thriving woods and creeks. Much of the area was originally forests and farmland, so the majority of its homes offer sizeable yards and plenty of shade trees.
In fact, Southside offers literally every type of community possible. From the converted warehouses and renovated storefronts of Old Manchester, to the sloping lots and gorgeous views of Riverside Drive, to the brand-new homes being built in Fawnbrook and Broad Rock, the range and diversity of the area's neighborhoods is remarkable.
The area features older neighborhoods such as Woodland Heights and Westover Hills, with winding streets, unique architecture, and an urban feel, as well as newer ones such as Broad Rock and Cherry Gardens, with quiet cul-de-sacs, quality affordable properties, and close proximity to schools and recreational activities.
The area contains the crown jewel of Richmond's parks system, the James River Park, which stretches from the western city limits to Belle Isle, as well as more local treasures, such as Forest Hill Park and the secluded Falling Creek Reservoir.
Woodland Heights
Many Woodland Heights residents claim that their neighborhood is neither urban nor suburban: but somewhere in between. Traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular, rushes up and down busy Semmes Avenue, but only a few blocks away are peaceful parks and quiet lanes along the river's banks.
Because most of its houses were built during four different development periods, the architecture of the neighborhood is remarkably diverse. The 80-block area features a collection of Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, American Four Squares and bungalows, most of which were constructed between 1914, when the area was annexed by the city, and 1933. Perhaps the neighborhood's most prized asset is its close proximity to the natural beauty of Forest Hill Park. The community's most famous dwelling, the Stone House, was built in 1840 and now stands in the center of the park, just west of Woodland Heights.
Westover Hills
Westover Hills is one of Richmond's most established neighborhoods. Its properties are set upon the hills and slopes of the James River's south bank, just across from Byrd Park and Maymont.
The area was named for the Westover plantation on the lower James, home of William Byrd, Richmond's founder, and was initially developed in the 1920s and 30s. Over the years, it has remained a quiet neighborhood of winding, shady streets and well-kept homes and yards.
The homes here offer a wealth of personality, with architectural styles ranging from Cape Cods to brick Colonial, Spanish Colonial and Tudor Revival. Some properties along prestigious Riverside Drive offer splendid views of the river and the opposite bank. Most homes are constructed entirely of brick and have been well maintained.
Fawnbrook
A comfortable suburban area with plenty of natural beauty, Fawnbrook is a beautiful blend of the old and the new. The first phase of development, in the 1960s, consisted mostly of brick ranchers and split-levels located on sizeable lots with winding, shady streets. Many of the lots back up to Pocoshock Creek, which flows through the neighborhood. In the early 1990s, a second phase of development added tri levels and newer ranch-style homes, built with a combination of brick and siding, to the existing neighborhood.
Pocosham Park lies just to the south of Fawnbrook, and a walking trail connects the neighborhood to the park, which offers an abundance of recreational opportunities. The neighborhood's winding, tree-lined streets offer a secluded and peaceful environment, but several major thoroughfares run through the area and downtown Richmond is only minutes away.
Broad Rock
The Broad Rock area, centered around the intersection of Broad Rock and Walmsley boulevards, is composed of several different subdivisions each situated on the rolling hills and gentle slopes north of the Falling Creek Reservoir. Many roads that serve the various communities end in cull -de sacs at the banks of the reservoir, so traffic is kept to a minimum.
Properties are mostly ranch-style brick homes from the 1950s and 1960s, with several areas offering newer tri-levels and split-levels from the 1980s and 1990s. In fact, there are plans for future development at the western end of the neighborhood.
The presence of the reservoir offers Broad Rock an added dimension, as several of the neighborhood's properties have lakeside acreage or views. Other opportunities for recreation include the Broad Rock Sports Complex, an athletic and community center only a few minutes away.
Cherry Gardens/Cullenwood
The neighborhoods of Cherry Gardens and Cullenwood, located off Belt Boulevard in the heart of Southside, are quiet suburban enclaves.
Cherry Gardens, features ranch-style homes from the 1950s and 60s, and several tri-levels that have been built more recently. The neighborhood backs up to Broad Rock Creek and the woodlands that line its banks, providing a sense of seclusion to the area. Across Terminal Boulevard is the Cullenwood neighborhood, similar in style to Cherry Gardens with ranch and split-level homes predominating. Most properties in Cullenwood date from the late 1980s, and its streets are laid out in a more informal pattern.
Beaufont Hills
The area in Chesterfield County known today as Beaufont Hills; was originally developed as two subdivisions; Keenland Farms and Beaufont Hills. The city annexed the area in 1970.
Both Beaufont Hills and nearby Beaufont Mall on Midlothian Turnpike got their names from the old Beaufont Springs, which flows underground near the site that the mall now occupies beside Chippenham Parkway.
The majority of the homes in this neighborhood was built in the late 1950s and are ranchers of various designs. It includes Cape Cod, Colonial Contemporary and California Contemporary. Most are brick, though some offer vinyl siding.
Although Beaufont Hills is right off the bustling Midlothian Turnpike business corridor, the area is quiet and cozy. There are many trees and Reedy Creek flows along the edge of the neighborhood.
Southwest
Richmond's Southwest area has a dual personality. It offers elements of country living such as wildflower-filled meadows and secluded riverfront properties. It also contains the city's newest office, retail and residential development, Stony Point, and a fast growing retail area at Forest Hill and Chippenham Parkway.
Many of the neighborhoods pay homage to their origins with names such as Hobby Hill Farms and Huguenot Farms, but they are only minutes from the offices, museums and nightlife of downtown.
The Southwest area runs along the south bank of the James River from the Powhite Parkway, west to Old Gun Road at the city limits. It contains several different subdivisions and neighborhoods, from Stratford Hills and Oxford closer to the city center to Hobby Hill and Huguenot Farms bordering the city limits.
Winding streets meander through wooded areas and alongside creeks, and many of the houses are set far back from the road. These neighborhoods offer seclusion and the beauty of an unspoiled natural setting.
Stratford Hills/Oxford
Both of these neighborhoods are set among rolling hills and quiet, tree lined streets just south of the James River, along the banks of Rattlesnake Creek, but are only minutes away from all that the city has to offer.
Stratford Hills is the older of the two communities, with houses closer to the river dating from the 1930s. Much of the area was originally woodlands and pastures, and the original developer lived on a farm where residents were able to board their horses.
Now the neighborhood features houses built in contemporary ranch, Cape Cod, Colonial, Dutch Colonial and tri-level styles, most of which were constructed in the 1950s and 60s. Many properties feature brick or brick and siding construction, attached garages, and large wooded lots.
Oxford, just north of Stratford Hills, is one of Richmond's newest communities. The neighborhood contains many ranches and tri-levels, as well as Tudors and Dutch Colonials. Many of these three- and four bedroom homes feature attached garages and large lots, which generally span from 1,500 to more than 3,000 square feet.
Both neighborhoods are in close proximity to the Pony Pasture and Huguenot Woods sections of the James River Parks system and are just across the river from the shops, restaurants and museums in the central city.
Huguenot Farms/Hobby Hill
The Huguenot Farms and Hobby Hill neighborhoods are found just south of the James River and west of Chippenham Parkway. This area became part of the city only in 1970, and it retains much of its rural character; in fact, both neighborhoods are parts of large farms that were gradually developed, keeping the names of the farms from which they originated.
The Huguenot Farms community occupies a lush wooded setting immediately south of the James River, and a number of its properties offer spectacular river views. Most of the homes in the neighborhood date from the 1950s and 1960s with a smaller number of larger, newer homes built from the late 1980s on. Styles include Colonial, Transitional, Cape Cods, Contemporary, Dutch Colonial and Colonial Transitional. These homes offer three, four and five bedrooms, many with attached garages. Homes are 2,500 to 3,000 square feet or larger on lots that span a half-acre to an acre and a half.
The Hobby Hill neighborhood lies just south of Huguenot Farms, in the wooded hills above the James, and as a result most of its homes are on a slightly smaller scale and less expensive. The predominating styles are tri-level, Colonial, ranch, and Dutch Colonials built of brick or brick and siding. Most homes have three or four bedrooms and were built in the 1950s and 1960s. They generally range in size from 1,500 to 3,000 square feet on half-acre lots. Many homes have attached garages.
West End
Richmond's West h3 is the perfect combination of city and suburban living. It offers river views, winding streets flanked by mature trees, and stately brick homes, and also corner restaurants, urban parks and boutique shopping.
The campus of the University of Richmond All the cultural amenities of an urban center and the quiet of a tranquil riverside are both just a stone's throw away. Though the area has some of Richmond's most beautiful and historic homes, it also offers cozy brick bungalows and quaint cottages, each with their own individual character.
The extensive tree cover and multitude of gardens help preserve the tranquility of each property, but a short walk down any street will afford the opportunity to meet neighbors and frih3s out and about. Neighborhoods such as Windsor Farms, Westhampton and Sauer's Gardens each offer their own particular charms and surprises, but their common thread is what makes the area so distinct, and distinctly Richmond; living in the West h3 means experiencing the best of both worlds.
Westhampton
Beautiful, serene neighborhoods located in Westhampton There was a time when city living meant walking to the local market, strolling along quiet streets lined with mature trees, and knowing your neighbors by name. That time still exists in the Westhampton neighborhood.
This lovely neighborhood is situated along Cary Street, Grove and Patterson avenues, just east of the Country Club of Virginia and the University of Richmond. Many of its homes were built in the 1920s and 30s, and retain the quality construction of years past. Properties range from Colonial mansions with grand, river views to Cape Cod cottages and American Four Squares, and reflect a variety of price ranges. Two-story brick homes predominate, but bungalows and ranches are also scattered through the area. The neighborhood is well known for its beautiful gardens and wooded character, with mature hardwoods dominating the landscape.
Local cafes and shops located within walking distance from many homes Westhampton offers its residents convenient urban living in an established neighborhood, access to some of the best public and private schools in the area, and premiere local retailers. The area's most renowned shopping district is The Avenues, at the corner of Libbie and Grove, which features a great mix of local cafes and boutiques and is within walking distance of many homes.
Windsor Farms
omes in Windsor Farms show that preperation, hard work, and creativity really do pay off A variety of architectural styles in landscaped settings with mature trees typify the Windsor Farms neighborhood. Lots vary in size from half an acre to 23 acres.
Two-story Colonial Revival and Cape Cod homes are most prominent, though a number of large Georgian Revival mansions can also be found.
It was one of the city's first planned neighborhoods, designed in 1926 and developed to resemble an English village. Creative planning ensured that the l ots would be of varying shapes and sizes, offering unique settings for homes. Roads were laid out in a circular and diagonal pattern to avoid the "'block"' feeling and were given English names. Open spaces were mandated and parks were set aside for various sections, including an area in the center of the neighborhood that includes a playing field and a church. An eye-catching spring bloom bestows itself upon this gorgeous Windsor estate
The neighborhood is also home to two of Richmond's most notable historic attractions: Virginia House and Agecroft Hall. Both are aged English manor houses that were physically transported to Richmond and are now open to the public.
Sauer's Gardens
The Sauer's Gardens neighborhood, located between Broad Street and Monument Avenue in the northwest of the city, has one of Richmond's most interesting pedigrees. Local extract and spice king C.F. Sauer, who was active in both real estate and gardening circles at the turn of the century, personally developed the neighborhood as a showplace for his interests.
The architecture is varied, ranging from Queen Anne and Colonial Revival to Mediterranean and Art Deco. Most homes were built in the early 1920s, and the Sauer family resided in the neighborhood during its early days. It boasts one of the city's oldest civic associations, and its multitude of gardens and well-maintained landscaping is a source of local pride.
