Canterbury will be 'returned to former glory'

[BarnField]

This seems like it might be a cheerful bit of good news for you folks that are in the Warrenton area http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

"...the property will be reopened for foxhunting for the first time in more than 30 years."

http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab2.cfm?newsid=15329096&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=506066&rfi=6

Canterbury will be 'returned to former glory'
By John Toler
10/04/2005

After years on the market, Canterbury Farm, a 373-acre country estate on the Springs Road, has been sold.

According to Joe Allen Jr., president of Allen Real Estate Company Limited, the property was purchased by Jack and Wendy Andrews of Middleburg.


Allen Real Estate was both the listing and selling agent, and the selling price for Canterbury -- owned since 1971 by Michael and Ann Susik -- was $7.5 million.

The original asking price was $9.5 million, but the property was reduced to $7.5 million earlier this year.

Although Canterbury was on the market for a long time, the Andrews' decision to purchase the estate was made very quickly.


"We had just returned home on a Saturday from Ireland, where we had attended a wedding," said Wendy Andrews. "We saw a photo of Canterbury in a newspaper, and we liked what we saw and called Joe Allen on Monday morning."

Less than two weeks later, on Sept. 30, the deal was closed.

According to Wendy Andrews, the land will be put into a conservation easement. Extensive restoration work is planned for the brick main house -- built by Col. Albert E. Pierce between 1932-36 for $7 million -- as well as the outbuildings, fences and stone walls.

"We are going to bring Canterbury back to its former glory," said Wendy Andrews.

In addition, the property will be reopened for foxhunting for the first time in more than 30 years.

"We look forward to having hunt meets at Canterbury," remarked Wendy Andrews, who has foxhunted in her native Ireland. "And we plan to use the English pub in the Hunt Room," for the hunt meets, an old-time Canterbury tradition.

After the restoration is complete, the couple will decide whether to make Canterbury their home, or to sell it.

"We really love our place on Sam Fred Road in Middleburg," she added. "We may, or may not, move to Canterbury."

Described in an Allen Real Estate's sales brochure as "one of the most beautiful Georgian masterpieces in America," the three-story main house at Canterbury has 12 bedrooms (including eight master suites with fireplaces), 11 full bathrooms and five half-bathrooms.

Unique features include the three-story circular flying staircase, built of white Carrara marble; the library or "Weather Room," which is connected to a weather vane on the roof; and the Hunt Room in the basement, designed in the style of the great hall of an ancient Tudor castle.

Outside are numerous agricultural outbuildings related to the previous owner's herd of Santa Gertrudis cattle. There is also a swimming pool with cabana, tennis courts and a tenant house. The property has 3,500 feet of river frontage on the Rappahannock.

[BarnField]

This seems like it might be a cheerful bit of good news for you folks that are in the Warrenton area http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

"...the property will be reopened for foxhunting for the first time in more than 30 years."

http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab2.cfm?newsid=15329096&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=506066&rfi=6

Canterbury will be 'returned to former glory'
By John Toler
10/04/2005

After years on the market, Canterbury Farm, a 373-acre country estate on the Springs Road, has been sold.

According to Joe Allen Jr., president of Allen Real Estate Company Limited, the property was purchased by Jack and Wendy Andrews of Middleburg.


Allen Real Estate was both the listing and selling agent, and the selling price for Canterbury -- owned since 1971 by Michael and Ann Susik -- was $7.5 million.

The original asking price was $9.5 million, but the property was reduced to $7.5 million earlier this year.

Although Canterbury was on the market for a long time, the Andrews' decision to purchase the estate was made very quickly.


"We had just returned home on a Saturday from Ireland, where we had attended a wedding," said Wendy Andrews. "We saw a photo of Canterbury in a newspaper, and we liked what we saw and called Joe Allen on Monday morning."

Less than two weeks later, on Sept. 30, the deal was closed.

According to Wendy Andrews, the land will be put into a conservation easement. Extensive restoration work is planned for the brick main house -- built by Col. Albert E. Pierce between 1932-36 for $7 million -- as well as the outbuildings, fences and stone walls.

"We are going to bring Canterbury back to its former glory," said Wendy Andrews.

In addition, the property will be reopened for foxhunting for the first time in more than 30 years.

"We look forward to having hunt meets at Canterbury," remarked Wendy Andrews, who has foxhunted in her native Ireland. "And we plan to use the English pub in the Hunt Room," for the hunt meets, an old-time Canterbury tradition.

After the restoration is complete, the couple will decide whether to make Canterbury their home, or to sell it.

"We really love our place on Sam Fred Road in Middleburg," she added. "We may, or may not, move to Canterbury."

Described in an Allen Real Estate's sales brochure as "one of the most beautiful Georgian masterpieces in America," the three-story main house at Canterbury has 12 bedrooms (including eight master suites with fireplaces), 11 full bathrooms and five half-bathrooms.

Unique features include the three-story circular flying staircase, built of white Carrara marble; the library or "Weather Room," which is connected to a weather vane on the roof; and the Hunt Room in the basement, designed in the style of the great hall of an ancient Tudor castle.

Outside are numerous agricultural outbuildings related to the previous owner's herd of Santa Gertrudis cattle. There is also a swimming pool with cabana, tennis courts and a tenant house. The property has 3,500 feet of river frontage on the Rappahannock.

[Hopefully]

In whose territory does Canterbury fall? It sounds wonderful!

[SidesaddleRider]

Canterbury is in Warrenton Hunt Territory.

Jack is well-known around here as one of THE major developers of Northern Va. He buys and flips property as well. They have 2 properties in Middleburg for sale right now, one a farm also on Sam Fred Rd. for $1.6 mil., and the other, 45 acres, on Mountville Rd. for $1.5 mil.

[BarnField]

The article quotes the new owner, Wendy Andrews, as saying the land (how much of it? all of it? I wonder) will be put under conservation easement, so hopefully they really will follow through with that and do it.

[SidesaddleRider]

Oh, yes, he'll do that for some of the larger properties, so he gets the tax write-off. That's what he did for the farm that is now for sale on Sam Fred Rd. We tried to buy it, then he said no, put it in easement, and raised the price $300k. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Glimmerglass]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by BarnField:
"We had just returned home on a Saturday from Ireland, where we had attended a wedding," said Wendy Andrews. "We saw a photo of Canterbury in a newspaper, and we liked what we saw and called Joe Allen on Monday morning." </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ah, now that is the life: - "darling, look at that very nice home in the paper .. it would be a cute place to store all the silver we've been accumulating"

Canterbury is a wonderful estate to be sure.

Originally built for a Chicago businessman, Col Albert E. Pierce, (who also was joint-master and huntsman of the Culpeper Hunt) it was designed by Walcott & Work and landscaped by the preeminent Vitale & Geiffert. A photo of the facade of the manor house as taken by Gottscho-Schleisner, 1935 (http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/gsc/5a02000/5a02600/5a02655r.jpg)

The listing for Canterbury from the Allen web site (http://www.allenrealestate.com/homes/canterbury%20revision.html)

Wonderful to hear of it being preserved and put back into its rightful use as a fox-hunting estate http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Even if they flip the property out later, kudos to the Andrews for protecting it for now and giving access to the local hunt!

Additionally, it should not go without mention that a lot of upper bracket fox hunting estates have sold in the last month which have otherwise languished on the market.

In addition to Canterbury, was a hunt estate that has been for sale since about 1999 – The Plains,VA-based "Heathfield" (http://www.farmandestate.com/PropertyPages/Heathfield.htm) and the exceptionally pricey (if not the highest priced residence to every sell in the M’burg area) Bolivar (http://www.thomas-talbot.com/bolinvar/) which was being co-listed by Thomas & Talbot and Frank Hardy Ltd. The $16.75 million price tag - which was a reduction - for 327 acres in the Middleburg Hunt is amazing, the Frank Hardy agents sold it as I understand.

[eventamy]

Bolinvar is the most gorgeous place I have ever seen! I'd gladly take the guest house never mind everything else! I can't get over the tack room it's bigger and nicer then my kitchen and living room (whole house!) combined. Did you notice that there are blanket closets with individual heat lamps! My goodness!

[xeroxchick]

Does it abut other territory? 300 odd acres is really not enough land to hunt. Bolivar is to *die* for, btw.

[Glimmerglass]

For those who missed out on buying Bolinvar (http://www.thomas-talbot.com/bolinvar/) (36987 Mountainville Rd; Leithtown, VA) you are in luck as yet another massive hunt estate has come on to the market which is situated very close to it http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Huntland (also of Leithtown, VA) (http://www.armfieldmillerripley.com/properties/huntland/index.html) - is listed for "just" $18.8 million.

Huntland is a very important historical home situated on 550 acres in the beautiful Virginia countryside minutes from Middleburg. Huntland, built in 1837 with major additions added in 1911, has been the weekend retreat for senators, congressmen, diplomats and Presidents. Presidents Johnson & Kennedy visited Huntland on numerous occassions. Courtyard Kennel & stables. 5 sep. houses, 2 apartments.

The Kennel and main Stable block ('U' shape design) are magnificent.

It would be a true shame if this was sliced up and/or the new owners possess little interesting in huting.

[race_run_jump]

It is fabulously in the middle of our (Warrenton's) territory. Can't WAIT!!!!

[SidesaddleRider]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Glimmerglass:
For those who missed out on buying Bolinvar (http://www.thomas-talbot.com/bolinvar/) (36987 Mountainville Rd; Leithtown, VA) you are in luck as yet another massive hunt estate has come on to the market which is situated very close to it http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Huntland (also of Leithtown, VA) (http://www.armfieldmillerripley.com/properties/huntland/index.html) - is listed for "just" $18.8 million.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Just wanted to add that friends of ours (and members of M'burg) rent Huntlands at the moment. We had our closing meet hunt breakfast there last year, and it really is lovely. But also EXPENSIVE! They said it cost them $4,500 per month during the winter just in HEATING bills for the house. Ouch! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif Can you imagine what it will be if they are calling for heating prices to rise so significantly this year?

[Glimmerglass]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SidesaddleRider:
Just wanted to add that friends of ours (and members of M'burg) rent Huntlands at the moment. We had our closing meet hunt breakfast there last year, and it really is lovely. But also EXPENSIVE! They said it cost them $4,500 per month during the winter just in HEATING bills for the house. Ouch! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I can't even imagine what the cost of leasing that estate would be http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif The estate is significant & historical enough - plus the market still white hot - that I'm sure it will be snapped up faster then you might think a 'white elephant' would be, heating bills and all.

For some relative perspective: This Bedford, NY estate on 34 acres with a similar asking price (http://tacoma.redata.com/vp/ListingServlet?SITE=HLAWNY&ScreenID=LISTING_DETAIL_P&cd_MLS=275748) has an existing tax bill of $116,648 a year. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/winkgrin.gif Plus of course the expenses for heating, maintenance, and the like.

By comparison, my guess is Huntlands incurrs a annual property tax well under $20,000 a year. Canterbury's taxes were just under $13,000 per published record ...

At the end of the day I'd rather look out over 550 glorious acres, hear the cry of the hounds, and live in a lovely but drafty old manse as opposed to getting fleeced with over the top property taxes.

[radio talk Aefvue Farms RCA]

It is so nice to hear hunt country being saved. Canterbury is incredible. More and more people need to do this. Like that will happen, one can hope tho.

Don't taxes increase with the sale of the property? Not being savvy to VA. taxes, most homes increase. Has to do with how much the place sold for.

[Glimmerglass]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by radio talk:
Don't taxes increase with the sale of the property? Not being savvy to VA. taxes, most homes increase. Has to do with how much the place sold for. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Of course reassessments transpire traditionally after a large sale. However from what I've been privy to seeing taxwise, these multi-million dollar large estate even after they've been resold at hefty $$ still pay exceptionally low taxes due to land in-use benefits and the like. I think that is just fine as lower taxes help ease pressure upon owners from having to explore development.

[Glimmerglass]

A bit odd ...

The Allen Real Estate web site listed the house as being "SOLD" across the image of the house. Now that banner is gone and the previously listed price is replaced with "Price Upon Request". Are the new owners looking to flip the property out so soon?

[SidesaddleRider]

Just thought I'd pass on the news that Huntlands has been sold. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif Just a month or so on the market, and someone put down $18 million for it! Must be nice.

And FYI, it's 500 acres are NOT in conservation easement. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/dead.gif

[Glimmerglass]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SidesaddleRider:
Just thought I'd pass on the news that Huntlands has been sold. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Simply amazing! It is almost a shame it went so fast as AMR just had their media subcontractor put together a nice visual package showcasing the property: Huntland - slide show (http://playhardproductions.com/huntland/)

I doubt the estate will change under the new owners, with that much money plunked down the person likely wants the privacy and seclusion afforded with the acreage.

[Bootes]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SidesaddleRider:
Just thought I'd pass on the news that Huntlands has been sold. http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif Just a month or so on the market, and someone put down $18 million for it! Must be nice.

And FYI, it's 500 acres are NOT in conservation easement. http://chronicleforums.com/images/custom_smilies/dead.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wow! Huntlands IS an amazing estate. I ran into Paul & Laura at The Coach Stop one Sunday at breakfast back in July. Paul told me that he was going to try and acquire Huntlands from Roy Ash, owner of Llangolan. Do you know if it was Paul who bought Huntlands? It would be just fantastic if he did, as he would be the kind of person to preserve Huntlands' historic integrity.

[SidesaddleRider]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bootes:
Wow! Huntlands IS an amazing estate. I ran into Paul & Laura at The Coach Stop one Sunday at breakfast back in July. Paul told me that he was going to try and acquire Huntlands from Roy Ash, owner of Llangolan. Do you know if it was Paul who bought Huntlands? It would be just fantastic if he did, as he would be the kind of person to preserve Huntlands' historic integrity. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, it was not Paul who bought it. Laura told me she had heard that it was someone from the Hamptons who bought it, who after paying like $30 million for a 5 acre place there, thought 500+ acres for $18 million was a bargain! http://chronicleforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif However, Paul and Laura are looking at Jack Andrews' land (45 acres) that he has for sale across from Bolinvar. However, all it is is land partially cleared with stone walls, so it would take quite a while to get a house, barn, and fencing put in. I'm not sure what they are planning on doing, or how long they will be staying at Huntlands past the end of the year.

[SuperSpike]

My Dad bought a hunt horse from Bolinvar and it's one of the most beautiful farms I've ever seen (and I'm from Kentucky!) Soooo pretty. Drool. The funny thing is, the owner built that barn because he didn't like the original barn, which was amazing as well. Must be nice!

[Tantivy]

Has Huntlands definitely been sold? I saw it advertised in the POST Sunday two or three weeks ago if I recall correctly.

[Kellsboro Jack]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Tantivy:
Has Huntlands definitely been sold? I saw it advertised in the POST Sunday two or three weeks ago if I recall correctly. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, it remains for sale.

[Glimmerglass]

I had to laugh (although clearly not all the way to the bak as some will) with regards to the saga of Canterbury.

Perhaps I'm just too dumb, but I remain amazed to see a massive old estate - as lovely as it is - languish on the market for almost half a decade (or more, when unofficially for sale) like Canterbury did at $9M. In fact it was even offered for possible trade for land in Florida by the owner in published ads, I kid you not.

Anyhow a drop down to $7.5 million officially, still without interest but then quickly snatched up on a purported whim. A big song and dance about the new owner's greater good with intent and then shock and awe (yea, right) when it's flipped right back onto the market at viola ... $13.5 million or a little less as the new "conservation focused" owner are willing to subdivide the land. Updated Canterbury Listing Mar 06 (http://www.allenrealestate.com/homes/canterbury%20revision.html)

Well it was a nice though while it lasted that an old estate in the true classic Virginia hunt mold could remain undivided and not fall prey to profiteers. In 15 years when multiple McMansions are scattered over the old 375 acre grounds of the estate they'll be sure to call the boxes 'Fox Chase' or 'Full Cry' ;)

[Chanter]

Is this the time where we do the *cough cough*, say "It figures" or merely roll our eyes? :no:

[Elghund2]

I was driving down Mainden Lane which is Delaplane I think and notice several signs up for new developments. One was advertising 1-5 acre lots as well as 50-100 acre estates. Talk about confusing development.

[War Admiral]

Question about Bolinvar for those familiar w/ hunt country history - how old is it? I'm wondering if it's named after the book, or whether it is in fact the actual Bolinvar estate?? The book Bolinvar (Derrydale Press - highly recommended, it's my fave horse book ever) is, I know, based on a Middleburg family's actual history (from diaries and journals and the like) - I'm just wondering if this is that family's estate?? Anyone??

[SidesaddleRider]

I'm not sure about the book, but the ORIGINAL part of Bolinvar is pretty old. George Straub redid the main house when he bought it (I think in '99 or 2000), and built the main barn (put over a million into it!) . In addition to the main 227 acres of the farm, there is the other part of the farm (called Patton Farm when it was listed for sale, at 100 acres for $5 million, and the other 227 acres for $11 million, or both together for $16 million), which has an older house and nice barn on it. Pato Muentes rents this part of the farm for his San Jose Stables. But I couldn't really give you specific dates on when things were built.

I haven't seen the Dunhavens (new owners) since around the first of the year, but I'll try to remember to ask them if they know when the house was originally built.
-----------
Regarding Canterbury, all I can say is, I warned about subdivision when I heard that Jack bought it!
----------
And the place with the lots listed on Maiden Rd in Delaplane is Chattins Run. There is a website for it (www.chattinsrun.com), I think.

[War Admiral]

Thanks SSR, that'd be great! I'm just curious/nosy!! :lol: I've never actually read the book specifically looking for details about the estate but my vague recollection is that it was MUCH bigger than that (book takes place during the Regency period), and that at the time there were no less than 3 separate stables... One for the racers/chasers, one for the hunting horses, and one for the farm horses. I have a feeling that this estate probably did/hopefully still does exist (in some lesser form), since everything else in the book is accurate. You can even look the horses up on pedigreequery.com, except for the few crossbreds mentioned, who you can usually track elsewhere! :yes:

[Glimmerglass]

There is "another" Bolinvar discussed and illustrated in the first edition of Kitty Slater's Hunt Country of American which looks nothing like the stone Georgian mansion built in 1925 and located at 36987 Mountville Road, Middleburg ... it very well could be one in the same but architecturally the residence today is quite different.

I could not find the residence listed in (and obviously in its is Loudoun Co, although some M'burg homes are discussed) the book "A Pride of Place; Rural Residences of Fauquier Co, Virginia" (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0813919975/sr=8-1/qid=1143215695/ref=sr_1_1/102-0671983-0437757?%5Fencoding=UTF8)

[War Admiral]

Thanks for checking, Glimmer!! The only other clue I can offer is that the estate mentioned in the book can't have been far from downtown M'burg. In one scene, the visiting relative's carriage breaks down & they make it to the forge in M'burg & he offers to walk from there. I was thinking 2 miles sounded about right, since that would have been an *exasperating* walk but not impossible.

[Glimmerglass]

This month's issue of Virginia Living magazine (http://virginialiving.com/) (August '06) features the great Canterbury as their profile 'on the market' home.

Some very lovely photos of the house since it was sold last year and somewhat fixed up both inside and out. That included adding 2 miles of fencing to the estate and clearing overgrown brush, etc.

The owners who are (if they can sell it at the asking price) going to make a significant profit appear overwhelmed by the sheer demands of such an estate. I can also assume unprepared too with dealing with the hefty cost related to a 20,000 sq ft manor house and many other homes and buildings on the property.

They remarked how they were quoted as wanting to return the property to its former glory but how "try to return it" is more what they are able to do. (Thomas-Talbot will now be also representing this estate for sale in addition to Allen Real Estate)

[Glimmerglass]

Sadly another massive hunt country estate, almost an icon, is just being listed for sale: Llangollen Farm, as pictured here (http://www.flyyy.com/send.pl?card_id=28281298). The 1,100 acre Upperville (VA) estate is being listed for $22 million via Armfield, Miller & Ripley. I believe there is a Huntland (also for sale) connection with the current ownership. The massive horseshoe-styled stable - which is a bit too modern in its style for me - is unque. Along with the training track, ponds, paddocks, pastures ... etc. It really is an amazing place but of course a shame that a property with just two different owners in 75 years is sold now when developers are so hungry for hunt country lands.

A flashback citation to the property: Time Magazine Nov. 20, 1939 (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,762830,00.html)
Most famed U. S. jumping Jill is Mrs. John Hay ("Jock") Whitney, a spirited, devil-may-care rider who has been winning blue ribbons on the horseshow circuit for 15 years. Before her marriage to Croesusrich young Whitney in 1930, Mary Elizabeth ("Liz") Altemus was well known in the hunt country around Philadelphia. After acquiring the 2,200-acre, million-dollar "Llangollen" estate near Upperville, Va., Liz Whitney became the most glamorous horsewoman in the U. S. Her drawing-room gum-chewing, social-worker hairdo, haphazard clothes were aped by many lesser socialites. Her riding technique became the very pattern for aspiring horsewomen. Her money-fed horses were the envy of the show-ring. Two years ago at the National she rode her Grey Knight to three blue ribbons in one day and wound up with the hunter championship.

[Glimmerglass]

Maybe TomKat will get into fox hunting - with Scientologist in tow - with the local hunt in M'burg :D

re: purchase of 1,100-acre Llangollen Farm (http://www.examiner.com/a-325801~Yeas_and_Nays__Wednesday__Oct__4.html)

[vahunter]

Well, that will certainly liven up the neighborhood! I hope that rumor is true ! I doubt we'll need to worry about them breaking up the farm into lots for gobs of more money....like Flint Hill Farm (a.k.a Chattins Run).

Are Chattins Run's lots selling ? I had heard they sold the main house with 15 acres, and 2 100 acres lots had sold. So they still have 585 acres to sell??

[Hunter's Rest]

Dunno about Chattins Run, but the lovely Ms. Gretchen's Preserve at Thistle Hill in Hume (4 100 acres lots across from her Thistle Hill of 8-10 or so 20-40 acres lots) have not gotten nibbles at all, I understand.
Seen at the Virginia Fall Races at Glenwood Park today were two black rap artists (not sure their names) with a film crew following them. I asked the sound girl what was the deal and she said the fellas were two of the Lost Boys of Congo (or some African nation torn by civil war - sincerely sorry for my lack of international politics - that has lots of war orphans and displacements) who are now in the U.S. and who are bonafide rappers. The film crew is doing a documentary on the rappers and their hard times (well, yeah, they were hard times, I'd say, of a sort we can never even imagine.) They were guests of some high placed recording artist who was in turn a guest of somebody at the races.
TomKat and rappers moving to Middleburg. Did they follow Sheila Johnson??? Yikes.

[MuleLady]

I must say, it concerned me greatly that our local Rappahannock paper had a full page article on Sheila Johnson some while back. I hope to the gods that she never sets her sights on this county.

[Hunter's Rest]

Mule Lady
Don't worry about Sheila Johnson's story in the Rappahannock News. It was merely a space-filler - my cubicle mate George Rowand did a good story about Sheila J. and her goings on for the RN"s sister paper in Fauquier. The Times Community Newspapers often share stories like that - ones with general appeal that aren't necessarily 'county news' but are interesting in general. Meant nothing. Never fear.

[J Swan]

a little bird tells me that chattins run is in a bit of trouble - financially speaking. and with prices going south......

but this is just rumour - i'm hardly "in the know". but people do seem to speak freely in front of wallflowers...

don't get me started on sheila johnson.

tomkat, rappers, sheila johnson and heliport pads on ag land that you can't farm - yet still gets ag zoning and lower taxes.

oh - my blood pressure is rising.......

the "conservation buyer" label has often been used, by some folks, as a way to get land and subdivide it. don't get me started on that either - it's an intolerable abuse of a sound conservation practice.

Dunno about Chattins Run, but the lovely Ms. Gretchen's Preserve at Thistle Hill in Hume (4 100 acres lots across from her Thistle Hill of 8-10 or so 20-40 acres lots) have not gotten nibbles at all, I understand.
Seen at the Virginia Fall Races at Glenwood Park today were two black rap artists (not sure their names) with a film crew following them. I asked the sound girl what was the deal and she said the fellas were two of the Lost Boys of Congo (or some African nation torn by civil war - sincerely sorry for my lack of international politics - that has lots of war orphans and displacements) who are now in the U.S. and who are bonafide rappers. The film crew is doing a documentary on the rappers and their hard times (well, yeah, they were hard times, I'd say, of a sort we can never even imagine.) They were guests of some high placed recording artist who was in turn a guest of somebody at the races.
TomKat and rappers moving to Middleburg. Did they follow Sheila Johnson??? Yikes.

[MuleLady]

Thanks for the clarification/reassurance, HR! Guess we're safe in our little backwoods holler for now. ;)

[wateryglen]

Hey! Didn't I read somewhere that Tom Cruise actually DOES have a contract down on Llangollen in Upperville!?? I'm almost sure I did!! Ain't a rumor anymore!
So like the big question is....who hunts that? Piedmont? Will he allow it to continue there?
OK so.... maybe, just maybe, Wateryglen MAY admit to kinda keeping an eye on Hollywood happenings as a side hobby to hunting....just maybe....I mean....we have so MANY famous people in this area it makes my head spin!! Why just the politicians alone!! The movie stars! Professional sports stars!! The Washington DC 'burbs are ablaze with them!! :eek:
Like I remember one time when the Vice Presidents wife came in shopping at a local tack store whilst I was there some years ago. (Dominion Tent Sale!) Complete with secret service detail! I noticed them first actually. I just thought a whole buncha deaf guys had come in shopping with super duper hearing aides on! The first one's looked so much like a hearing aid I spoke to him all friendly like and spoke loudly & distinctly for his benefit.....and he like said, "yeah"...and looked/walked away. So I thought he was just a shy young man.....with a hearing aid.......poor thing......

[SidesaddleRider]

There was an ad in the Fauquier paper this week that Canterbury was sold. I'm assuming it *wasn't* for the asking price...Any realtor out there with MLS access want to give the scoop on the selling price? ;)

Anyone have any idea who bought it? Will Warrenton still be allowed to hunt on it?

[Glimmerglass]

There was an ad in the Fauquier paper this week that Canterbury was sold.

The Allen website has listed the property as sold for several days. If someone bought the property with the "50-acre" option I wonder what becomes of the remaining 320 or so acres.

[Tantivy1]

Piedmont hunts Llangollen.

Certainly hope it is in easment, and also that whoever the purchasers are, that they do not follow their neighbor across the road at Aryshire and deny Piedmont acess to the property.

Ideally, it was sold with a stipulation that the hunt can continue to go through, but has anyone heard anything on the subject?

[Tantivy1]

Until Canterbury has been officially closed on by the purchasers, no realtor will tell you the selling price (I think it iagainst the law to do so). However, once it has closed, a realtor can tell you the selling price as it will be 1-3 months before the information becomes public knowledge when the selling price is entered into the county real esate records.

The best you could hope to get out of a realtor at this point is was it sold for the asking price.

But if it has actually closed, then yes, someone could tell you.

[Glimmerglass]

Piedmont hunts Llangollen.

Certainly hope it is in easment, and also that whoever the purchasers are, that they do not follow their neighbor across the road at Aryshire and deny Piedmont acess to the property.

Ideally, it was sold with a stipulation that the hunt can continue to go through, but has anyone heard anything on the subject?

The in-contract buyer [of Llangollen] is an active rider and patron of a local polo team. She's lived in Middleburg long enough to know that nothing positive would come from denying current hunt access.

The Fauquier Times Democrat will have the final sale price on Canterbury once the transfer is filed with the county.

[Glimmerglass]

An interesting aside from the Dec 19, 2006 edition of the Fauquier Times Democrat:

Canterbury Estate LLC to Canterbury Estate LLC, deed of boundary line adjustment, exchange 0.6159 acre on Springs Road (Route 802) near Warrenton, GPINs 6962-15-7637 and -13-3277, $10,974.32.

[Glimmerglass]

Ashland Farm, Warrenton, also back on the market

It is at a nice profit - acquired in very late 2003 for $4.9M million with all 300 + acres - the lovely but infamous (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/library/polo/polo0909.htm) Holtzclaw Road estate is back: now for $9.5 million with 340 acres (http://www.allenrealestate.com/homes/Ashland.html).

Admittedly a lot of restoration was required - the two Ms. Cummings' didn't have the William Lawrence Bottomley re-styled (http://photos.historical-markers.org/main.php?g2_itemId=4334) estate quite in A-1 condition. Still it is gutsy to (try and) flip a property in this sluggish market for an 80% + profit.

One does hope the property has been placed into some easement and hunt access conveyed, it would be terrible to see the property diced up and yet more mini mansions built. I always though the twisty, dirt Holtzclaw Road (which sadly runs so exceptionally close to the main house) was a great throwback to the way it used to be in No Virginia.

[Glimmerglass]

Piedmont hunts Llangollen.

Thankfully the buyers are very committed to the hunts and continuing the tradition:

Faquier Times-Democrat 1-16-07 "Llangollen Farm sold for $22 million" (http://www.zwire.com/site/printerFriendly.cfm?brd=2553&dept_id=576934&newsid=17721063)

"We will continue in the tradition of equestrian sports," said Brennan, referring to future plans for the property. She plans to move into the main residence soon and will use the rest of the property for breeding, training and boarding horses, as well as for a polo facility.

"We will do anything to encourage polo in this area," said Paul Dietrich, tenant of Huntland Farm near Middleburg, another property owned by the Ash family. His wife, Laura, is an avid fox hunter in Middleburg. "We are becoming one of the great polo capitals of the world here in Middleburg. We are trying to preserve western Loudoun County as a rural area and want to see more fox hunting and polo."

A portion of the property is under conservation easement, which permanently prevents further subdivision.

[SidesaddleRider]

Thankfully the buyers are very committed to the hunts and continuing the tradition.

Actually that quote is from Paul Dietrich (he and his wife belong to Middleburg Hunt), not the Brennans. Although I would assume that they, as well, are concerned about preserving polo and hunting in the region. ;)

[Hopefully]

Simply amazing! It is almost a shame it went so fast as AMR just had their media subcontractor put together a nice visual package showcasing the property: Huntland - slide show (http://playhardproductions.com/huntland/)

Did anyone notice, in the slide show, that the button on the newel post is Piedmont Hunt, while the builder of Huntland, Joe Thomas, was MFH at Middleburg? And, I believe Huntland is in Middleburg Hunt's territory. I wonder who put the Piedmont button there?

[Tantivy1]

These hunt country house tours are unbelieveable.

I spend my lunch hours visiting different realtor's websites and taking virtual house tours or slide shows of the property offerings.

I love my lunches. :)

[Glimmerglass]

Simply amazing! It is almost a shame it went so fast as AMR just had their media subcontractor put together a nice visual package showcasing the property: Huntland - slide show (http://playhardproductions.com/huntland/)

If I recall correctly Playhard Productions (http://www.playhardproductions.com/) had the visual tour done for Huntlands such that it was 'showcased' with the AMR listing for at least 3 months.

By comparison and clearly a shame is Play Hard 's magnificent video for AMR when they listed the 446-acre Chancellor's Rock estate (http://www.armfieldmillerripley.com/properties/chancellors.rock/) in Rappahannock'; the whole listing left AMR for Frank Hardy Inc. only a few weeks after the video was completed. FHI did not pick up the rights to use the video with marketing the property which remains for sale.

The two firms collaborated on a nice video as well for the AMR sold the 98-acre equestrian estate, "Ashleigh" in Delaplane, VA (http://www.armfieldmillerripley.com/properties/ashleigh/index.html) for the estate of the late Sandra H. Payson (http://www.motherjones.com/news/special_reports/mojo_400/132_payson.html), a Whitney heiress and cousin to race horse breeder/owner Marylou Whitney.

No connection by the way, professional or otherwise, between myself and AMR or Play Hard.

And Sidesaddlerider I didn't mean to infer the quote about foxhunting came from the Brennans - hence I took the whole quote and attribution from the those connected to Huntland :)

[SidesaddleRider]

Did anyone notice, in the slide show, that the button on the newel post is Piedmont Hunt, while the builder of Huntland, Joe Thomas, was MFH at Middleburg? And, I believe Huntland is in Middleburg Hunt's territory. I wonder who put the Piedmont button there?

Huntlands is in Piedmont territory. Middleburg's territory only extends to the other side of Pot House Road.

[Hopefully]

Huntlands is in Piedmont territory. Middleburg's territory only extends to the other side of Pot House Road.

I wonder if this was the case when Joe Thomas owned Huntlands? Does this situation exist north of Foxcroft road, i.e., the east side of Mountville Rd. is Middleburg and the west side is Piedmont? It would have seemed to make more sense to make Rt. 611 the boundary. In fact, I recently saw Piedmont whips patrolling Rt. 611, I assume to stop hounds that were possibly crossing from west to east.

[SidesaddleRider]

I wonder if this was the case when Joe Thomas owned Huntlands? Does this situation exist north of Foxcroft road, i.e., the east side of Mountville Rd. is Middleburg and the west side is Piedmont? It would have seemed to make more sense to make Rt. 611 the boundary. In fact, I recently saw Piedmont whips patrolling Rt. 611, I assume to stop hounds that were possibly crossing from west to east.

I would assume so. Our territory in that area is bordered by Pot House and Mountville. Piedmont's territory is the west side (so the side across from Bolinvar). They lease it out to Fairfax Hunt, however, to include basically everything from Foxcroft/Mountville/St. Louis Rds north. They retain control of the Unison area for hunting.

[Glimmerglass]

by the way - here is the Washington Post's take on the transaction: "A Thoroughbred of a Price" (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/26/AR2007012600778.html)

A different Brennan family corporation paid $3.1 million in 2000 for the Cooke farm, but "they decided they really wanted more acreage" and bought the nearby Mellon land, Thomas said. "Then Llangollen came along, and there was 1,100 acres all in one piece, and that's what they really wanted."

When the Ashes bought Llangollen in 1989, it was in disrepair but had a storied past.

"If the walls could talk here, they'd tell of the wild hunt balls thrown by [Tippett]. . . . And of the time she brought her favorite horse into the great room or the 35 dogs that lived here full time. (The most beloved ones were kept in her deep freezer when they passed on.) And of the well-known visitors: Doris Duke, Elsa Maxwell, Eddie Arcaro, Prince Aly Khan . . . Bing Crosby, ambassadors and politicians from Washington."

[Tantivy1]

What type of easement is it in when it can be sub-divided into parcels as small as 100 acres? I am taking a guess here....that when placing a holding into an easement, the current owner is allowed to elect exactly what size parcels their property CAN be subdivided into? It sounds like this may be an available option from the wording in the Post article.

[SidesaddleRider]

What type of easement is it in when it can be sub-divided into parcels as small as 100 acres? I am taking a guess here....that when placing a holding into an easement, the current owner is allowed to elect exactly what size parcels their property CAN be subdivided into? It sounds like this may be an available option from the wording in the Post article.

The VOF actually has specific guidelines for division.

"Division:
To protect open space, properties should remain as a whole to the extent possible and parceling should be minimized. The appropriate level of protection is determined by factors described above. For some easement properties, such as mountain terrain or highly visible flat open land, it may be appropriate to require fewer parcels than the levels suggested.
In general, the following density restrictions are encouraged:

Properties under 100 acres should remain intact, i.e., no subdivision permitted;
Properties between 100 and 149 acres are encouraged to remain as a whole. Where necessary or appropriate, a maximum of one division (two parcels) may be permitted provided that one of the parcels is small and located so as to minimize the effect on the remainder, or additional restrictions are being placed on the property so as to ensure the preservation of the property’s conservation values;
Properties of 150 to 249 acres are encouraged to remain as a whole; a maximum of one division (two parcels) may be permitted;
Properties of 250 to 299 acres are encouraged to remain as a whole or in two parcels. Where necessary or appropriate, a maximum of two divisions (three parcels) may be permitted provided that one of the parcels is small and located so as to minimize the effect on the remainder, or additional restrictions are being placed on the property so as to ensure the preservation of the property’s conservation values;
Properties of 300 acres to 599 acres, a maximum density of one parcel per 100 acres, e.g. 400 – 499 acres = maximum of four parcels;
Properties of 600 acres to 799 acres, a maximum of six parcels;
Properties of 800 acre to 999 acres, a maximum of seven parcels;
Properties of 1,000 acres or more, a maximum of eight parcels. Additional parcels may be allotted on a case by case basis.There is, in most cases, no minimum acreage requirement for parcel size. Subdivided parcels may be a cluster of small lots that retain the maximum open-space on the remainder in order to maintain a viable size for farm or forestry use. The sliding scale for larger properties (over 600 acres) is intended to encourage the preservation of large intact tracts of land."

[Glimmerglass]

Re: Huntland (http://playhardproductions.com/huntland/)

Per the new Middleburg Eccentric for May 24th there is a full-page congratulatory ad for Anita Sisney at Armfield, Miller & Ripley [in cooperation with Helen McMahon of McMahon Realtors] on the sale of Huntland.

The Fauquier Times Democrat for May 16th (http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=18347655&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=506035&rfi=6) indicates the final price ($7.3 million) to be a fraction of its published asking price but it sold on much less land.

Sadly ...

Trustee of Aix-la-Chapelle Limited Partnership Hallie Bastain had no comment on the transaction.

The 129-acre property at the intersection of Foxcroft and Pot House roads, is "not under conservation easement regarding the Board of Supervisors," said senior planner Brian Potts.

The property is zoned AR-2 (Agricultural Rural), which allows for one lot per 40 acres. With the adopted changes that became effective December 2006, the property can also be developed as one lot per 20 acres under the principal subdivision option, or one lot per 15 acres under the cluster subdivision option. Both options require a minimum of 40 acres to subdivide and 70-percent open space.

A 284-acre parcel of land adjacent to Huntland, which is also owned by the Ash family, is not currently on the market. The Ash family was recently granted a boundary-line adjustment for the two properties, bringing the parcel that just sold from 78 to 129 acres, and leaving the remaining adjacent parcel with 284 acres, down from 335.

[vahunter]

Does any know what property just sold in Delaplane for $2.2M ?

[Glimmerglass]

Once again a hunt property bought and flipped in short order:

Huntland - listed for sale Sep 20, 2007 on 129 acres for $8Million (Sheridan-MacMahon, Ltd) (http://www.sheridanmacmahon.com/index.cfm?action=property&id=99)

Flashback to just May 24, 2007 ....

Re: Huntland (http://playhardproductions.com/huntland/)

Per the new Middleburg Eccentric for May 24th there is a full-page congratulatory ad for Anita Sisney at Armfield, Miller & Ripley [in cooperation with Helen McMahon of McMahon Realtors] on the sale of Huntland.

The Fauquier Times Democrat for May 16th (http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=18347655&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=506035&rfi=6) indicates the final price ($7.3 million) to be a fraction of its published asking price but it sold on much less land.

Trustee of Aix-la-Chapelle Limited Partnership Hallie Bastain had no comment on the transaction.

The 129-acre property at the intersection of Foxcroft and Pot House roads, is "not under conservation easement regarding the Board of Supervisors," said senior planner Brian Potts.