Belle Aire

For the similarly named plantation on the James River, see Belle Air Plantation.
Belle Aire

Belle Aire built by Benjamin Deyerle in Roanoke, VA around 1849
Location U.S. 11, Roanoke, VA
Coordinates 37°15′49″N 80°1′4″W / 37.26361°N 80.01778°W / 37.26361; -80.01778Coordinates: 37°15′49″N 80°1′4″W / 37.26361°N 80.01778°W / 37.26361; -80.01778
Area 8 acres (3.2 ha)
Built 1849 (1849)
Architect Deyerle, Benjamin; Sedon, Gustavus
Architectural style Greek Revival
NRHP Reference # 75002034[1]
VLR # 128-0052
Significant dates
Added to NRHP April 15, 1975
Designated VLR October 21, 1975[2]

Belle Aire is a Greek Revival mansion listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register in the Greater Deyerle neighborhood of the independent city of Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.A. Located just south of Brandon Avenue SW (U.S. 11) at 3820 Belle Aire Circle SW, Belle Aire was completed in 1849 as the private residence of Madison and Margeret Pitzer on a knoll overlooking their 1,600 acres (2.500 sq mi; 6.475 km2) of land adjacent to the Roanoke River.[3] It is located approximately one-half mile from his brother Jeramiah's house (Mount Airy). Today the home still stands, with the surrounding area now developed as single family home typical of those built during the 1970s-80s.[3]

History

Belle Aire was constructed by Benjamin Deyerle and his carpenter Gustavus Sedon for the Pitzer family in 1849.[4] Its Greek Revival embellishments were influenced by the New England architect Asher Benjamin's publication The Practical House Carpenter of 1830.[4] The L-shaped home is of brick construction with stuccoed Doric pilasters at the corners. Its most recoginizable feature is its 2-story pedimented portico four fluted Doric columns at each level.[4] A kitchen addition replaced the original outbuilding and the side portico has been enclosed. Otherwise, Belle Aire remains much as it was in 1850. Today the home remains as a private residence.[5] It became a Virginia Historic Landmark in 1966 and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

References

  1. ↑ National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. ↑ "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 19 March 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Greater Deyerle Neighborhood Plan: History" (PDF). City of Roanoke Planning Division. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
  4. 1 2 3 Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Staff (September 1975). "National Register of Historic Places nomination, Belle Aire" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-09-06.
  5. ↑ "City of Roanoke GIS". City of Roanoke. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
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