Hallsley Success In The News

By CAROL HAZARD Richmond Times-Dispatch | Posted: Wednesday, November 19, 2014 10:30 pm
East West Communities is revving up development of Hallsley, a custom-home community in the tradition of southern American farms, towns and estates off Old Hundred Road in Chesterfield County.

To date this year, 89 new homes went under contract, 240 lots were developed, and five new neighborhoods opened, including a maintenance-free section of houses with first-floor master suites.

Saturday marks the opening of the Residents Club. The $3.5 million clubhouse and pool complex on 5 acres includes tennis, bocce and volleyball courts, a zip line and a children’s playhouse village with a tree house, rope ladder and slide.

A 7,000-square-foot outdoor pool has lap lanes, a water slide, a zero-entry beach feature, water geysers and an adult chilling area, said Daniel Jones, Hallsley project manager.

The clubhouse is 2,200 square feet of heated and air-conditioned space with an additional 3,000 square feet under roof, including a NanaWall — a folding glass wall that can be opened to the outdoors — and a covered terrace overlooking the pool.

A dog park with a playground and agility course was finished about a month ago.

East West, whose communities include Brandermill and Woodlake in Chesterfield and Patriots Landing in New Kent County, bought the undeveloped portions of Hallsley in January 2013 for $9.4 million.

The Midlothian-based developer purchased a total of 545 acres in two sections of the development. Hallsley is 3 miles from state Route 288 and Midlothian Turnpike and about 18 miles from downtown Richmond.

The plan calls for 740 houses at completion.

The first lots were developed in late 2006 as the new-housing market crashed. When East West took over the undeveloped portions, 140 lots were developed and 100 homes were occupied.

Now, 200 homes are occupied. A total of 13 builders are constructing houses in the development.

Houses in Hallsley sell for $400,000 to more than $1 million. Homeowner association dues are increasing to $1,000 from $700 a year, Jones said.

“We were very fortunate to take over a fantastic project at a great location with excellent schools,” he said, adding that East West took nine months to research the prospects before taking on the development.

Hallsley is more than a community, he said — it’s a lifestyle.

Other achievements this year include hosting the Richmond Symphony Designer House, finishing a house featured as a Southern Living Showcase Home and being voted the “2014 Best Community” by Richmond magazine.

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