Chanticleer Farm – Keswick – 50 Acres – $2,395,000

Chanticleer Farm is a captivating property located on a rolling expanse of land in the notable Keswick area of Albemarle County. 

Perfectly sited on an elevated hill overlooking the Southwest Mountains, the home has unobstructed views of the surrounding countryside and natural landscape. The private 55-acre parcel offers a mix of open green spaces and shaded hardwood forests. 

A meandering approach along the driveway brings you up to a custom-built farmhouse designed and constructed by local architect Enoch Snyder. Step upon the inviting wrap-around front porch and take in the tranquil setting. Entering the main residence, you will immediately see that this home is ideal not only for timeless easy living but also for sophisticated entertaining.

A wide foyer opens to a bright dining room and a stylish library with built-in bookcases. The entire rear of the house is an open-concept living room, family room, and informal dining space that is bathed in an abundance of light from a wall of windows and doors. There is an ample home office tucked away in a quiet corner off of the living room. Various covered porches, decks, and an outdoor fireplace offer the perfect outdoor space to enjoy a coffee while watching the sunrise, host a cookout or read a book in the breeze.

Chanticleer features a true gourmet kitchen with a large granite island, custom cabinetry, a 6-burner Bertazzoni gas range, double wall ovens, two farm sinks, two dishwashers, and a wine fridge. But the focal point of the room is an oversized brick cooking fireplace with raised hearth, built-in wood boxes, and custom ironwork by renowned Stokes of England blacksmith Stephen Stokes. Just beyond the kitchen, a mudroom area adjoins a separate laundry room, powder room, and multiple pantries & closets.

The master suite on the upper level is a serene oasis with stunning vistas, a separate sitting area with a fireplace, a walk-in closet, and a spacious bathroom with a glass door shower, bidet, and heated tile floors. Two spare bedrooms with dormer windows are just down the hall.  Don’t forget to take the secret stairs in the pink room up to a finished playroom, which could also be a terrific quiet reading room/loft or yoga space. The spare bath is a European-style washroom with a soaking tub and walk-in shower surrounded by detailed travertine tile.

The terrace level is fully on-grade and walks out to a flat backyard.  There is a large rec room with a gas stove, a fourth bedroom, a full bath, a finished bonus room, and a wine cellar.  These attractive spaces offer flexible uses including a media/entertainment room, billiards area, additional guest rooms, art studio, home office, home gym, and more.  There is excellent conditioned storage space in the unfinished areas on the terrace level and the root cellar basement below the mudroom and kitchen. The three-car garage also has plenty of space for vehicles and additional organization & shelving.

Other thoughtful design elements of the main house include 10-foot ceilings, a total of seven fireplaces with hand-carved mantels, detailed moldings & wide plank hardwood floors throughout, and a geothermal water furnace for more efficient heating and cooling.

A 1100+ square foot guest cottage sits above the garage.  No detail has been forgotten in this 2 bedroom/1.5 bath dependency. It includes a full kitchen with all the necessary appliances, a living room with a gas stove, the main bedroom with an en-suite bath and wrought-iron balcony, a spare bedroom, and a small office/nursery. It also features hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, and a full-sized washer & dryer. The current owners have found enjoyment and success in renting the cottage through Airbnb. 

Exterior landscaping was professionally planned to allow for a variety of shrubs, native trees, and a fenced-in garden area with raised beds for fruits and vegetables. A storage shed on the property houses a garden and small farm equipment.   

Located just off Route 231 (Gordonsville Rd), which has been recognized as a Top 10 Scenic Byway in the US, Chanticleer Farm is nestled among Central Virginia’s most revered historic sites, prestigious estates, and beloved wineries. Minutes to the conveniences of Gordonsville and less than 15 miles to Charlottesville. 

Chanticleer means “clear song” in Old French. The design concept of the home blends classic elements with modern functionality and brings a beautiful pastoral setting into every room in the home.  It was the lifelong vision of the owners to create a place that is inviting, calming, and rejuvenating for all who visit and inhabit this special place.

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