Developer sees ‘high-end’ housing for golf course
Colonial Williamsburg closed Spotswood in December to redevelop its 39.5 acres
WILLIAMSBURG — Big changes could be coming to a former golf course owned by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
In late January, Norfolkbased developer Frye Properties Inc. submitted a rezoning application to the city of Williamsburg, seeking permission to construct a community of 166 homes on 39.54 acres owned by Colonial Williamsburg.
The parcel is the onetime Spotswood Course, nine holes that were one of three courses comprising the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club. Colonial Williamsburg closed the Spotswood Course on Dec. 31, part of a yearslong plan to redevelop the property.
The parcel is currently zoned RS-1, which permits low-density, single-family homes, and Frye Properties is asking the city to change the designation to PDR, a planned development district that will allow for higher density.
As part of the property’s transformation, Colonial Williamsburg issued a request for proposals for redeveloping the property, seeking designs that would complement the historic nature and architecture of the surroundings. Colonial Williamsburg selected Frye to develop the property in phases should rezoning occur, said Allie Gorman, director of new product development for Frye.
Citizens will have opportunities to provide feedback throughout the process, beginning with an Architectural Review Board meeting tonight.
In a proposed master plan submitted with the rezoning application, Frye describes the new community as a “very high-end development,” which will consist of custom and semi-custom homes ranging in size from about 700 to 2,500 square feet. The types of homes vary widely from relatively small bungalows and mews to larger townhomes, cottages, brownstones and single-family residences.
“The charge that Colonial Williamsburg gave to prospective developers was to create the best of the best,” said Rock Bell, Frye’s vice president for development. “As we were looking at the Williamsburg market and this incredible location next to Colonial Williamsburg, we agreed with that assessment.”
Frye has developed other upscale communities in Hampton Roads, such as East Beach in Norfolk and a neighborhood surrounding The Cavalier, a historic hotel in Virginia Beach, during the renovation of the building and grounds.
Bell said that the some of the defining characteristics of the Spotswood development will echo past projects, with an emphasis on a “new urbanism,” which incorporates walkability and ample open space for gathering and activities.
“It’s a very social place. We feel like it’s important to have that social connectivity and create a place where people love to be,” Bell said.
Colonial Williamsburg spokeswoman Ellen Peltz said Frye’s rezoning application “followed months of conversations with adjacent property owners to solicit feedback and incorporate suggestions into the plan prior to submitting it to the city.
“This project is still in its early stages and while it has received much support, the conversation is ongoing,” Peltz said. “Frye will continue engaging with the community and welcomes their ideas to ensure that the new development best supports the city’s vision to reimagine downtown Williamsburg’s shared spaces while maintaining the traditions and history that shape our community.”
Frye looked to replicate the feel and lot size of the existing neighborhood that the proposed development will abut to the south and east, Bell said, and tweaked the proposed master plans based on conversations with adjacent residents.
Market forces ultimately will determine precise price points for new homes, but a reasonable ballpark figure is around $450 per square foot, Gorman said.
As part of the rezoning application, Frye has also submitted a proffer to build 17 affordable homes on land owned by the city of Williamsburg in York County. The first home will be donated by Frye, with the stipulation that the home “be deeded to a wounded or disabled first responder, or ex-military resident of Williamsburg,” according to the proposal. Frye will provide the remainder of the homes to the city at cost.
Williamsburg spokeswoman Nicole Trifone identified the lengthy process the rezoning application will take, beginning with the first Architectural Review Board conceptual review, set for 6:30 tonight at the Stryker Center.
Trifone said the level of detail in the application means that the Architectural Review Board is likely to conduct more than one review. Most of the proposed development is in the city’s Corridor Protection District, so structures would have to meet specific design and materials criteria.
City staff also will be review the rezoning application and any subsequent requests. Once the Architectural Review Board and city staff have weighed in on the application, the Planning Commission will offer its recommendation. City Council will have the final say on the rezoning.
According to the proposed master plan, Frye anticipates constructing the first homes in the Spotswood development in 2024, with the complete build-out lasting 5-7 years.
Mayor Doug Pons indicated he is open to adding more housing stock to the city but said that his specific knowledge of the details of this proposal is limited. He said there is a shortage of housing at all economic tiers and that adding homes at the upper end could create availability in less-expensive residences as homeowners trade up.
Gorman said that the land is going to be developed no matter what, and the density and design in the current version of the master plan meshes well with its surroundings.
“This is a project that we are very much looking forward to,” Gorman said. “This is an impressive place to be, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to be the developer.”