Large Bed and Breakfast Near UVa Closer to Opening

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Updated: 9:42 AM Jan 9, 2012 Large Bed and Breakfast Near UVa Closer to Opening The University of Virginia is one step closer to having a bed and breakfast in its backyard. The proposed Oakhurst Inn will go before the Charlottesville Planning Commission Tuesday. Posted: 7:35 PM Jan 8, 2012 Reporter: Bailey Disselkoen Email Address: bailey.disselkoen@newsplex.com

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January 8, 2012

The University of Virginia is one step closer to having a bed and breakfast in its backyard. The proposed Oakhurst Inn, which would be located on Oakhurst Circle off Jefferson Park Avenue, will go before the Charlottesville Planning Commission Tuesday for the last time.

The 27-unit bed and breakfast and 36-unit apartment complex won approval from the planning commission over the summer. However, developer Bill Chapman recently learned he must introduce the B&B and apartment complex as separate lots in order to secure the bank loan.

Although Chapman has not changed the plan or design for the project, it requires a second look from the planning commission now that it would sit on two lots.

"They are supportive," Chapman said of the commission. "I expect they will approve this after some discussion."

The project will convert two historic buildings on Oakhurst Circle into what Chapman compares to a small hotel. One of the buildings was built and lived in by Paul Barringer, who was Chairman of the Faculty at UVa in the early 1900s, a title given to presidents at that time.

"I am really excited. Twenty-seven rooms gives us the scale and we can run it like a real business. It will be more like a small hotel, like Keswick," said Chapman.

Chapman adds that its Jefferson Park Avenue location will set it apart from other hotels. "We are trying to build something as close as we can to make it walkable. There are a lot of nice hotels, but you have to drive to get there," he explained.

An empty parking lot, behind the three buildings, facing Jefferson Park Avenue, will be the site of a 36-unit apartment complex.
A third building on the circle will be used for student housing.

If all goes according to plan, construction will start on the $8 million project in June 2012.

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