Birdwood
A two-story brick plantation house, the Birdwood estate was built in the early 1800s by William Garth with the help of some of Thomas Jefferson’s workmen. It (and its four outbuildings) was constructed in a Neo-classic style reminiscent of Pavilion X in UVA’s Academical Village and, in 1850, was a flourishing plantation, producing tobacco, wool, butter, corn, and wheat. There are still hints of the early property’s lavish ornamental gardens and a unique lighthouse-shaped water tower on the lawn. Now used for University functions, Birdwood estate is situated on the Birdwood Golf Course, which unfolds across 18 holes of The Boar’s Head Inn’s luxurious resort complex. Golfers can spy views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the tree-studded bowling lawn, and enjoy the verdant fairways in (hopefully) under 72 strokes.
“Beautiful! Especially the bowling lawn with the four seasons statuary and large boxwood backdrop. Brings you to a time of lawn parties and grand balls.”—Phyllis Joseph
Castle Hill
As the 18th century home of Dr. Thomas Walker and his wife Mildred Thornton Meriwether, the historical Castle Hill plantation sits upon a sprawling 600 acres and consists of two distinct houses joined by a connecting hall. A gable roof, Flemish bond foundation, and refined interior woodwork sits up against the brick portion of Castle Hill, complete with a tetrastyle Tuscan portico and Tuscan colonnades. Ultimately, this merging of eras (a farm dwelling from the colonial period with a 19th century-style Piedmont plantation) along with various interior updates work together to tell a fluid design narrative that reaches across history.
“A spectacular landscape with a beautiful storied house at the center of it. The history of Castle Hill is long and deep, the gardens are exquisite, and the house itself is a wonderful agglomeration of many eras.”—Jeff Dreyfus
Commonwealth Restaurant & Skybar
This trendy restaurant on the Downtown Mall infuses color and life into its food and atmosphere. Curved booths cradle guests in a dim, intimate context while the Skybar upstairs allows for more open-air celebration. Designed by Alloy Workshop and Rowen Barton Studio, the nearly 3-year-old restaurant evokes a sense of nostalgia while still remaining modern and accessible to its savvy, young clientele.
“The compact design of the restaurant makes for a relaxed environment that feels intimate and inviting. The mix of materials is handled nicely, and the lighting seems just right.”—Jeff Dreyfus