Originally constructed by Thaddeus Thomas in 1858, and purchased by William Alexander Stuart in 1870 the property ultimately served as a farm manager’s residence within the land-holdings of Black Angus cattle giant Stuart Land & Cattle Company. As the cattle industry declined, the property eventually fell into a state of neglect, to the point that cattle were reportedly seen with their heads sticking out the second-floor window casings! Later purchased by The Ratcliffe Foundation, this Georgian style home underwent meticulous restoration from 2008-2011. The landscape architects were then commissioned to generate ideas for how the estate could be used in its new life, while also developing the domestic landscape to function as a private residence, event venue, and cultural history museum for southwest Virginia.

To achieve the client’s desires, a careful mix of formal and agrarian design was necessary to ensure architecture and landscape would fuse seamlessly and function programmatically. Ideas to use the estate as a wedding venue and to host Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing events were embraced by the client, and in an area where landscape architecture is relatively unknown, this project serves to enlighten others as to the value of the profession in all facets of the design process. The result is a property that allows rural working and living while remaining appropriate for those donning tuxedos and wedding dresses.

Despite years of neglect, Ellenbrook is now poised to etch a place within the hearts and minds of forthcoming generations who are afforded the opportunity to grace the grounds. To ensure this, sustainable measures such as using indigenous fieldstone and low-maintenance plantings combine with careful historic restoration to foster a memorable sense of place.

RECOGNITION:

2015 VA-ASLA MERIT AWARD - RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

ELLENBROOK, ca. 1858
Elk Garden, Virginia
Lead Landscape Architect + Project Manager
Project Cost: $400,000

Completed 2014 while employed by Quinn Craughwell Landscape Architects