Hawes Spencer, The Hook (3 May 2011)

The Crossings, an apartment complex designed to prevent the phenomenon of “Million Dollar Murray,” has begun its rise at the corner of Preston Avenue and Fourth Street…

Charlottesville’s City Council took note and in 2009 approved a controversial zoning law change to enable the so-called Crossings at Fourth and Preston to be developed on the site of a former mini-mall, later owned by the Region Ten Community Services Board.

The single room occupancy, or SRO, complex will consist of 60 studio apartments with half of them reserved for the homeless.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Chiara Canzi, C-ville Weekly. (02 May 2011)

The Crossings will cost $7 million, with roughly $1.07 million already appropriated from the Charlottesville Housing Fund. The project has also received private donations and a $75,000 grant from the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation.

“Some people say this is a lot of money to be spending on one project,” said Norris. But, he added, the UVA Hospital invests about $11,000 for each chronic homeless individual it treats.

“It costs a lot of money to keep people homeless,” he said. “But it’s not just about dollars and cents, it’s not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about transforming lives and it’s about giving people a warm and a safe place.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Terry Karnes, Charlottesville House & Home (08 October 2008)

Taking something and breathing new life into it is something of habit for people in our region. With restored famous historic buildings surrounding us, it’s not surprising that Charlottesville Architect Bruce Wardell fell in love with a historic church and decided to turn it into his home in the mid-1980s.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Dan Gould, CvillePodcast.com (June 2008)

Virginia Supportive Housing, a Richmond-based statewide nonprofit housing provider, recently agreed to work with the Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless (TJACH) and the Charlottesville community to develop and manage an SRO facility in Charlottesville. The May 27 presentation gave members of the public, community agencies, local officials, potential funders and area media a chance to learn more about the SRO concept and to hear about Virginia Supportive Housing’s plans and timeline for opening an SRO in Charlottesville.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE

Stephanie Garcia, The Hook (2008)

Last Monday, Arch’s Frozen Yogurt opened its third location to the delight of both frozen yogurt fans and architecture enthusiasts. The two-story building on Emmet Street, with two outdoor eating balconies, ivy-covered walls (eventually), lots of glass, and a host of energy-efficient features is unlike anything else you’re likely to see on that stretch of Emmet.

Designed by BRW Architects, known for renovations of Congregation Beth Israel, the Downtown Rec Center, and the Mall side of the Market Street parking garage, the building is a model of sustainable construction (it actually won an award from the City) and modern design, complete with energy efficient SIPS roof and wall panels that were cut to order. The two outdoor decks are on a glassy light-filled second floor, along with a couple of comfy chairs and a small battalion of toddler tables and chairs.

“What I really like about the building is that there are so many unique spots to sit,” says co-owner Sandy Archer, “…its got a lot of really unique nooks.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Dave McNair, The Hook (13 December 2007)

In 2005, Arch’s owners bought the old Donut Connection at 1232 Emmet Street. Since then, they’ve been working with the folks at BRW Architects– known for renovations of Congregation Beth Israel, the Downtown Rec Center, and the Mall side of the Water Street parking garage– to develop a modern two-story building with two outdoor eating balconies, ivy-covered walls, and a host of energy-efficient features.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Season 4, episode 10
(Original air date 3/25/07)

Compare what kind of house you can get for $700,000 in six markets across the country. First, in Phoenix, a couple falls in love with each other and with a midcentury modern ranch. Next, a young family experiences a religious awakening of sorts at their property in rural Charlottesville, Va., and then an empty nest couple has a spooky secret to tell about their 1850s farmhouse in Stowe, Vermont. Last up is a quick a look at homes in Rhode Island, Minnesota and North Carolina.

LEARN MORE HERE

This fall, BRW held its first annual Fall Chili Cook Off. Each week, two people brought in a pot of chili alongside its required side dishes. The variety of chili was surprising! Chili pot-pies won the ‘Best Presentation’ award. Other chili dishes fighting for best flavor included Cincinnati chili, complete with spaghetti noodles; Beef & Beer, served on rice; white bean chili, with cilantro & green peppers; Pumpkin & Pork, with pumpkin creme; Vegetarian; and even Cajun chili, with mangoes and limes. The winner for best taste has yet to be determined… but we’ll keep you posted.

2011 City of Charlottesville Planning Commission
Annual Planning Award: Design Professional of the Year

On Wednesday, July 27, 2011, the construction of the High Street United Methodist Church, Franklin, VA, reached a milestone. The steeple was ready to be raised.

Set on a base 42 feet high and soaring to an overall height over 105 feet in the air, the prefabricated steeple, painstakingly designed and proportioned by Bruce Wardell and manufactured by Campbellsville Industries, is a new landmark for all of Southampton County and the crowning ornament to the new church.

To mark the occasion, the entire congregation gathered at the site to watch the events unfold. Arriving in 3 pieces, the steeple would be slowly and carefully set into place, each tier gently rotating in the air to be precisely positioned like a giant wedding cake.

After the final piece was secured, its new copper spire shining brightly in the sun, Pastor Susan Reeves and architect Bruce Wardell rode the 105 feet up into the air in the crane’s basket to ceremonially bless the steeple’s cross, a symbol of the congregation’s faith, set high above Franklin for all to see.

As the basket slowly lowered to the ground, the gathered crowd was met with a special surprise. From within the steeple, the pealing of the church’s historic bell rang out, a familiar sound now beaconing the congregation to its new home.