Piedmont Place Revives Dormant Project Site

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2010
Piedmont Place site
Piedmont Place site

Claudius Place, the name given to a two-story building proposed in 2011 to be built across from Crozet Library, has come to life again, rechristened Piedmont Place, with new owners Drew and Michelle Holzwarth acquiring the site in May.

The first effort at Claudius Place, expected to start construction in 2013, stalled and languished. Its revival marks the first new private investment in downtown since the new library opened in September 2013.

“We love our little town and we’re excited to have some locals set the tone for downtown,” said Holzwarth, who is the president of the southern region of Stanley Martin Homes.

He said their preliminary plan for the site is a three-story, 20,000-square-foot building.

“We are completely committed to building an architecturally stunning building that will be admired for many generations,” said Holzwarth, who has been instrumental in several improvements at Crozet Park in recent years.

They have hired architect Bob Anderson, who also did the design for the first iteration Claudius Place and is familiar with the location. Holzwarth said Anderson, who lived in Crozet for many years and built a home near Mint Springs, has started work.

The starting plan for the building includes a 3,500-square-foot terrace-level restaurant with a patio space along the alley, Holzwarth said.

At 5,000 square feet, the first floor will house “Piedmont Place Market,” a concept like the Main Street Market in Charlottesville, which has mainly food emporia. Holzwarth said potential vendors have been approached and several are excited about the possibility, including an organic butcher.

The second and third floors will be eight high-end, two-bedroom apartments.

Downtown zoning allows a fourth floor if it is set back from the main façades, and Holzwarth said they are considering a fourth-floor bar with a terrace that takes advantage of the site’s fabulous views.

All the floors will be served by an elevator.

Holzwarth said additional building features are under discussion with country reviewers.

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