Front View Of Tower Hill House
As it has since 1746, this elegant 5500 sq. ft. historic Virginia waterfront home, now for sale, one of the finest on the Eastern Shore of Virginia since it was built, stands sentinel over King’s Creek, a broad saltwater inlet from the Chesapeake Bay just a few minutes east of Cape Charles, VA. Remembering the roads of those early days, or rather lack of them, it’s easy to see why the location of Tower Hill was so desirable. When you stand on the rolling rear lawn and look down the inlet, you can actually see the Chesapeake Bay in the not-too-far distance. Since travel by boat was one of the most common means of travel on the Eastern Shore in the 1700’s, the fact that Tower Hill was on a deep channelled inlet with such a close connection to the Bay, ( which functioned as the interstate highway of that day ) meant that its owners had exceptional access to shipping and receiving goods and hosting important visitors. This would have given them many financial advantages and increased social status. Being in the Shore’s very southern tip was advantageous then as well because of easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and to commerce with the nearby Yorktown and Williamsburg, which were already important towns. Then, as now, it was location, location, location and this site’s superior physical attributes as well as its natural beauty explain why the original owner invested what would have then been a small fortune into the construction of this majestic brick manor home. And Tower Hill still has a most superior location, being less than ten minutes to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel connecting the Eastern Shore to Virginia Beach and Norfolk and only about five minutes to the beaches, golf and other special amenities in the historic town of Cape Charles.
Rear View Of Tower Hill and Grounds
Built of brick in a blue tip Flemish bond pattern, the Tower Hill House architecturally is classic Georgian style with its attention to symmetry, balance and proportion. Other period details include a chimney at either end of the home, side-gabled roof, paneled front door with pilasters, crown and an overhead transom. 6-pane small dormer windows are inset on the top floor. Fully restored in 2001, Tower Hill House retains all the charm of a truly historic home but the 2001 restoration has now outfitted this fine home with all of today’s modern conveniences as well, pretty much having your cake and eating it too.
Elegant Foyer With Raised Panel Wainscoting
The approach to Tower Hill House is most impressive– professionally landscaped, with a brown pebble circular driveway edged withcobblestones and lined with mature crepe myrtles and magnolia trees. Walkways of Tuscan red pavers and foundation plantings bridge the space between the driveway and the 6 curved brick steps with gentle risers and black wrought iron hand rails. A deep landing brings you to the double leaf front glass panel door with glass surrounds and an elaborate crown supported by detailed pilasters opening into the formal foyer with the kitchen and dining area accessed on the left through double French doors. The formal living room is accessed on the right also through double French doors. It is the central foyer which first introduces one to the real beauty of this historic Eastern Shore home. Quite large, with high ceilings, raised panel wainscoting and elaborate moldings throughout, the foyer provides the first views of the water through double French doors leading to full length rear porches overlooking the inlet, the dock and on out to the Chesapeake Bay. It is immediately apparent that this home was restored with loving care, using fine materials and talented craftsmen. The workmanship is outstanding.
Kitchen Fireplace Is A Focal Point
The charming kitchen with large dining area features a 12 ft. ceiling and original brick fireplace with a slate hearth. Floors are wide board pine, gleaming in the diffused natural light from the room’s many deep set windows. As this home served as a B&B for several years, the Vulcan stove with professional hood make whipping up a gourmet meal a snap. Kitchen island with lots of storage space and new GE built-in appliances including refrigerator with custom panels to match the extensive cabinetry. This is a dream kitchen, great for entertaining, with plenty of room to add a love seat, stuffed chairs, etc. to complete it as a special gathering place for owners and guests. And speaking of guests, this home was the site of the 14th as well as the recent 15th annual Benefit By The Bay and proved itself twice over as a splendid place to hold a party with over 300 in attendence ! (More on the Benefit in a future post.)
Elegant Formal Living Room
The gracious formal living room is especially notable with deep set, floor to ceiling windows which flood this lovely room with natural light, and, since it is one room deep, windows are on both the east and west side of the room. Five piece crown moldings with dentil woodwork, fireplace with elaborate surround, 8 panel wooden doors with brass hardware add to the charm. This is a very restful room with lovely views out to the water, and, as the home has an east-west orientation, is a great place to enjoy the spectacular sunsets over the water. Smooth, green lawn rolls gently down to the water, dotted with mature shade trees including a huge oak which must be several hundred years old. Colorful landscaping all around this home is certainly part of its overall ambience .
Tower Hill offers 2 Master Suites
Upstairs, the 2 master bedrooms each have French doors leading a private balcony overlooking the water and the impressive dock, which will accommodate several boats. With a total of 5 bedrooms and 6 and a half baths, clearly there is plenty of room for personal guests or to restore the B&B usage. Each bedroom features a fireplace with carved mantel and a slate or marble hearth, 4 piece crown moldings and deep set windows with window seats. Luxurious bathrooms abound, each with enclosed custom tile shower and claw footed tub. On the 3rd floor there is a special window package which brings in lots of light including restful natural light in the stairwell.
Room For Toys For Everyone
A Home For Your Boat
Downstairs in the finished full- house- length brick walled basement, the large wine cellar has custom wrought iron gates, an extensive wine rack and large wine cooler. Lots of ornate wrought iron throughout the entire area. Another portion of the basement features a large “walk-in” wood burning fireplace and a bar area with a wood burning stove. Plenty of room for pool table, card tables and other toys including a large screen TV — it’s a great “play” room, for sure. Includes open beams throughout the basement, floors of brick or tile and a full bath located just off the wine celler area. Like the rest of the house, the basement is totally wired for music throughout.
Ready for some time at the beach ? It’s only about five minutes from Tower Hill house to the glistening sand beach in Cape Charles. For golfers, the new signature Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus courses designed around shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay and Old Plantation Creek provide challenging golf in a simply beautiful setting. In fact, the # 3 hole on the Palmer course was voted the “Number # 1 Golf Hole in Virginia” so it’s clearly pretty special. Plus 19th hole relaxation at the Coach House Tavern is always a treat– it overlooks the driving range and practice putting green so you can watch your friends trying to improve their handicaps a point or two, always fun. All the other amenities of Cape Charles, from fine and casual dining to shops to theatre add so much to the lifestyle and pleasure of owning the Tower Hill house. And without a doubt, the Tower Hill house is one of the finest historic waterfront homes on the entire Eastern Shore. It offers history and elegance in a gracious waterfront setting, close to so many special amenities. For an appointment to see it for yourself, call Blue Heron Realty Co., 757-678-5200.
(Posted by Marlene Cree, licensed Virginia agent with Blue Heron Realty Co., 7134 Wilsonia Neck Dr., Machipongo, VA)