THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 10, 1995 TAG: 9506100485
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BRENDA HARRIS, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: Long : 115 lines
Just outside the campus of Old Dominion University sits the established Norfolk neighborhood of Edgewater. The neighborhood's eastern boundary is Hampton Boulevard, and the western border is the Elizabeth River.
Edgewater is not officially a separate entity from the adjacent neighborhoods of Glen Haven and Edgemere; the city assessor's office includes all three subdivisions in its assessment figures for the area.
Housing is an eclectic mix of old and new. Many of the older homes were built early in the century. Some on the water sit far back from the road and are reached by long driveways.
The streets can be confusing. Although a house may seem to be on one street, its actual address may be on another. Residents say the fire department travels the neighborhood every few years to re-familiarize themselves with the streets and house numbers.
The average assessment in this upper-income neighborhood is $250,000. Throughout the subdivision a sense of tranquility prevails. Many residents take great pride in their landscaping. Trees are everywhere. These features are prime reasons why residents chose Edgewater. Trisha Rawls, the administrative director for Business Consortium for Arts Support, bought her Studeley Avenue ``Georgian-Victorian'' house with four bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths in 1989.
She renovated the 4,500 square foot house by knocking down walls, enclosing the porch, and adding a new kitchen and door.
``I bought the house because of the garden,'' she says. ``The previous owner took great care of her flower gardens. It's very quiet here. There are lots of trees and bushes.''
Nat and Marjorie Jones bought their Bolling Avenue brick, two-story, three-bedroom, 1 1/2-bath home 29 years ago. The Joneses renovated their 1927-era home by enclosing the side porch, redoing the kitchen, and adding a half-bath.
Nat Jones, who is retired from Norfolk Shipbuilding, and his wife are members of the Edgewater Association, a group of older residents who get together for social gatherings.
``I like it here because it's nice and quiet,'' Nat says. The only drawback, according to him, is the dusty air from the nearby coal terminals at Lamberts Point.
Virgil and Connie Laws have lived in their brick Tudor-style home with six bedrooms and three baths for 4 1/2 years. Originally built in the mid-1920s, Connie's mother bought the house in 1947.
The Laws added a sunroom to take full advantage of their waterfront view. From their vantage point, they see all the activity on the Elizabeth River.
``We really like living on the water,'' says Connie. ``This is such an interesting waterfront. Everything that passes the harbor passes by here, also.''
Some of the waterfront property was destroyed in a hurricane during the early part of the century. Waterfront owners were deeded 50 feet into the water by the assessor's office, an unusual feature in shoreline neighborhoods.
The neighborhood has several unusual landmarks. On Edgewater Drive there is a house that boasts a one-of-a-kind stone wall surrounding the front yard. Scenes and pictures in the wall are formed by the insetting of various stones and semi-precious jewels.
Also in the neighborhood is the Tazewell House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Dating from 1779, the house was built in downtown Norfolk by out-of-work shipwrights when Norfolk was blockaded. In 1900, the house was knocked apart and its sections floated on barges to its present site, where it was reassembled.
Residents may belong to the Larchmont-Edgewater Civic League, which holds regular meetings. A recent issue involving the league was Old Dominion University's acquisition of nearby land.
Despite ODU's proximity, though, residents say college students don't create any traffic or noise in the neighborhood. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photos]
JOSEPH JOHN KOTLOWSKI/Staff
Trisha Rawls bought her "Georgian-Victorian" home in 1989. The
garden was the main draw, she says.
Nat Jones is in the Edgewater Association, a group of senior
citizens.
AT A GLANCE
Map
ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Schools: Larchmont Elementary, grades K-5; Blair Middle, grades 6-8;
Maury High School, grades 9-12.
Shopping: There are many stores along Hampton Boulevard.
Twenty-First Street is nearby. Downtown Norfolk is just minutes away
by car.
Recreation: The Elizabeth River provides boating opportunities.
There is a playground at Larchmont Elementary School. The Larchmont
Library is very close.
Assessments: According to the Norfolk assessor's office, the
properties range from $80,000 to $650,000. The median assessment is
around $250,000.
FOR SALE
At 5206 Argall Ave., a three-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath house was listed
for $149,000.
At 6117 Powhatan Ave., a three-bedroom, two-bath house was listed
for $159,900.
At 6401 Powhatan Ave., a three-bedroom, two-bath house is listed for
$198,500.
At 5216 Studeley Ave., a four-bedroom, 2 1/2-bath house house is
listed for $249,500.
SOLD
At 5406 Powhatan Ave., a three-bedroom, two-bath house sold in
September for $127,600 after 67 days on the market.
At 5901 Powhatan Ave., a four-bedroom, two-bath house sold in
January for $139,500 after 102 days on the market.
At 5355 Studeley Ave., a four-bedroom, three-bath house sold in
February for $410,000 after 209 days on the market.
by CNB