THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 26, 1996 TAG: 9610250454
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ANAHITA WAGER-SMITH, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: 104 lines
Keeping in line with Chesapeake's blend of city conveniences and country-feel, Greenbrier Woods On The Lake offers the utmost in urban comforts while maintaining a sense of seclusion.
Just off Interstate 64, it is centrally located on Volvo Parkway, between Battlefield Boulevard and Greenbrier Parkway. The apartments are surrounded by trees and encircle a pastoral seven-acre lake inhabited by ducks and cranes.
What first grabbed Margaret Ashworth's attention was the lake and the double walk-in doors. Originally from Illinois, the community reminds her of home.
``I like the openness and I love being by the water and the ducks,'' says Ashworth. She says the units are not crowded and more like homes stacked on top of one another than rooms in a hotel.
She made her decision to move into the complex after seeing the surroundings and the large closets.
Ashworth also enjoys the view of a small wooded area from her deck and appreciates that without them, she would see the shopping center across the street. She has recommended the community to her friends and co-workers.
``The location is great, you have the post office and the DMV around the corner so everything is right here,'' Ashworth said.
Frank Saunders likes the location although it has become more congested since he moved in 17 years ago. He recalls seeing deer while driving down Volvo Parkway. Yet, he doesn't complain about his 10-minute commute to his downtown Norfolk office and his wife doesn't mind their proximity to the Greenbrier Mall.
They - along with their daughter - plan to stay in the area until he retires in a couple of years.
Since a recent change in management, Saunders feels that he is getting more personal attention. ``You are not just a number and they are receptive and open to residents' concerns,'' he says.
Clark-Whitehill Enterprises, a local property management company, has owned and managed the 272-unit community since 1991. Shortly after the purchase, a million-dollar renovation project was initiated to include the installation of a washer and dryer in each of the apartments.
More recently, the company has started upgrading the kitchen cabinets as well as the countertops. The project will be completed in 1997.
Laraine New is into decorating and living in a flat hasn't hindered her forte as she is free to paint or wallpaper to suit her taste. She has done exactly that as she has a pink living room and a turquoise-green kitchen.
New is involved in the Neighborhood Watch program and attends the monthly meetings. She also attends the get-togethers organized by the management for major holidays. She puts together the TGIF, singles night and Super Bowl parties.
Residents receive a monthly newsletter that keeps them informed about the community, welcomes new residents and lists upcoming events.
New recognizes that the management is ``very into the residents, they don't just rent to you and leave you alone.'' She specially appreciates efforts to place people of similar lifestyles within the same vicinity.
``Anybody that is looking for an apartment and puts a lot of thought into where they are going to live will have a better chance of finding a properly managed place if the community is privately-owned,'' says Gert Altman, the property administrator.
Also, Altman says, because of Clark-Whitehill's relatively small size, it has not lost the personal touch in dealing with residents.
The complex won the 1996 Renaissance Award of Excellence from the Tidewater Multi-Family Housing Council for communities completed prior to 1975. ILLUSTRATION: [Cover, Color photo]
ANAHITA WAGER-SMITH
ANAHITA WAGER-SMITH
Residents say that rapid growth in suburban Chesapeake has not had
an adverse affect on their lifestyles.
Margaret Ashworth was enticed by the lake that's part of the
apartment name.
AT A GLANCE
Map
The Virginian-Pilot
About The Neighborhood
Schools: B.M. Williams (K-2), Crestwood Intermediate (3-5),
Crestwood Middle (6-8) and Oscar Smith High School (9-12)
Shopping: Greenbrier Market Center, Volvo Parkway Shopping Center,
Battlefield Shoppes and Crossways Center.
Hospital: Chesapeake General Hospital
Recreation: Chesapeake City Park, Indian River and River Crest
community centers, Greenbrier Library, Stumpy Lake, Greenbrier
Country Club, Girls Inc. Center For Youth. Future plans by private
developers to build a nearby ice rink.
For Rent
One-bedroom, 817-square-foot unit with dishwasher, washer and dryer,
$560.
Two-bedroom, one-bath, 925-square-feet unit with dishwasher, washer
and dryer, $585 (until Nov. 1).
Three-bedroom, two-bath, 1,142-square-foot unit, upstairs lakefront,
$740.
Amenities
Pastoral lake and woods setting, washer and dryer in each apartment,
large closets, dishwasher and disposal, small pets allowed,
clubhouse and exercise room, swimming pools and wooded playground
area. by CNB