THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 26, 1994 TAG: 9411280227
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BRENDA HARRIS, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: Long : 116 lines
Just west of the West Norfolk Bridge in Portsmouth lies the new development of River Pointe. The neighborhood overlooks the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River where it joins Carney Creek.
Two rows of stately pines grace the median of River Pointe Parkway, the main entryway into the 44-acre subdivision. It was once the site of the Beazley Farm.
The riverfront setting and convenient Churchland location are major pluses for River Pointe, which is also 10 minutes from downtown Norfolk, downtown Portsmouth, other major shopping areas and the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge to the Peninsula.
For six years, the neighborhood consisted of 44 townhouses built by a previous developer. Today, River Pointe Associates plans to construct 43 single-family dwellings, 140 condominiums, 37 new townhouses and 40 custom home sites.
The single-family homes, known as The Cove and put together by C. Richard Dobson Builders, come in six styles with areas ranging from 1,356 to 2,207 square feet and priced from $109,500 to $131,200.
The Wimbledon Chase Condominiums, clustered around a lake, include seven styles and range from 820 to 1,288 square feet. The condo prices go from $57,990 to $73,000. The condo fee is $80 per month, including the $15 monthly homeowners fee.
The Lanterns Manorhomes, by The Creative Group, are in four styles, ranging from 1,330 to 1,580 square feet. The prices: $75,900 to $83,900.
There are approximately 40 custom home sites, going from $38,500 to $135,000. Buyers of these lots choose their builders. Ranch houses on these sites must be at least 1,800 square feet while two-story dwellings must be a minimum of 2,200 square feet.
All River Pointe residents belong to the homeowners association. The $15 monthly fee pays for the maintenance of the four-acre recreation area, which includes a clubhouse and pool overlooking the river.
Also included in the fee is maintenance of the private streets, sprinkler system and entrances.
John and Becky Allen live on Lantern Way in the original group of townhouses. Stationed here in the late 1970s with the Coast Guard, John Allen liked the Churchland area so much that he bought here in 1992 when he was reassigned to Portsmouth.
Both enjoy the friendliness of the neighborhood. ``The street has had get-acquainted-with-your-neighborhood parties,'' Allen says. ``The front yards are maintained well. We feel very comfortable here. It's secluded and safe.''
Another River Pointe fan is Yolanda Cooper, who recently purchased a Lanterns Manorhome.
A pediatric nurse at the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, she enjoys the central location of the subdivision.
The recreation area is a favorite place for resident Rose O'Malley, who lives in a new townhouse on Candlelight Lane with her 5 1/2-year old son Daniel.
``This is the first house I've purchased by myself,'' O'Malley says.
Although 45 minutes from her job as a teacher in Virginia Beach, she considers River Pointe's location worth the commute.
``I moved here from Port Norfolk and my family lives in Portsmouth,'' O'Malley says. She and her son watch the sunsets from a bench near the recreation center overlooking the water.
Since sales sites have been open only a short while, the development is in the beginning phase. Although all River Pointe sites have sales contracts, only Lantern Manorhomes has closed sales and seen residents move in.
There is still much empty land.
It doesn't take much imagination, though, to see that the secluded waterfront setting and Churchland location will make River Pointe a very desirable place to live. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by GARY C. KNAPP
Yolanda Cooper recently bought a townhouse. She is a pediatric nurse
at the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters.
Staff color map
River Pointe
For copy of map, see microfilm
AT A GLANCE
ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Schools: Churchland Primary, Churchland Elementary, Churchland
Middle and Churchland High School.
Shopping: Churchland Shopping Center, Plaza Shopping Center, Poplar
Hill Plaza, Churchland Square Shopping Center, Chesapeake Mall.
Recreation: YMCA on High Street, various golf courses, boating
facilities and marinas.
Assessments: From $70,760 to $91,200 for established townhouses,
with an average assessment of $78,690. The rest of the neighborhood
is too new to have recorded evaluations.
FOR SALE
Progressive Realty (Linda Buskey, 484-5078) is marketing the
single-family homes, ranging from $109,500 to $131,200.
Progressive Realty (Geri Gitlitz, 483-4778) is selling The Lanterns
Manorhomes from $77,900 to $83,900.
Leading Edge Realty (Newell Cummings, 686-0901) is marketing the
Wimbledon Chase condominiums, ranging from $57,990 to $73,000.
Long & Foster Real Estate (Archer Green, 436-6973) is handling The
Pointe custom home sites, ranging from $38,500 to $135,000.
At 25 Candlelight Lane, a 4-year-old, two-bedroom, 2 1/2-bedroom,
two-story townhouse with 1,300 square feet is listed for $75,900.
SOLD
At 34 Lantern Way, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse sold in
February for $77,000 after 104 days on the market.
by CNB