The Insider’s Guide to Belvedere: Why Charlottesville’s Premier Townhome & Villa Community is in a Class of Its Own

$569,900 Active

1842 Fowler St Charlottesville, Virginia

3 Beds 4 Baths 2,494 SqFt

$570,000 Active

1810 Fowler St Charlottesville, Virginia

3 Beds 4 Baths 2,561 SqFt 0.05 Acres

$592,540 Active

42 Farrow Cir Charlottesville, Virginia

3 Beds 3 Baths 2,621 SqFt 0.04 Acres

$594,760 Active

59A Hilah Ln Charlottesville, Virginia

3 Beds 3 Baths 2,581 SqFt 0.04 Acres

$596,280 Active

3046 Farrow Cir Charlottesville, Virginia

3 Beds 3 Baths 2,581 SqFt 0.04 Acres

$619,858 Active

60 Hilah Ln Charlottesville, Virginia

4 Beds 4 Baths 2,607 SqFt 0.04 Acres

$630,418 Active

3611 Hilah Ln Charlottesville, Virginia

3 Beds 3 Baths 2,581 SqFt 0.04 Acres

$656,204 Active

40 Farrow Cir Charlottesville, Virginia

3 Beds 3 Baths 2,581 SqFt 0.04 Acres

$699,900 Active

300 Farrow Dr Charlottesville, Virginia

3 Beds 3 Baths 2,830 SqFt 0.08 Acres

$824,900 Active

700 Farrow Terr Charlottesville, Virginia

4 Beds 4 Baths 4,166 SqFt 0.07 Acres

$899,900 Active

800 Farrow Dr Charlottesville, Virginia

4 Beds 4 Baths 3,937 SqFt 0.13 Acres

Hello, I’m Toby Beavers, and I’ve been a real estate agent specializing in the Charlottesville and Albemarle County townhome market since 2003. In my two-plus decades in this business, I’ve seen neighborhoods rise, fall, and completely transform. I’ve seen trends come and go, from the oversized suburban boom of the early 2000s to today’s intense demand for smart, high-quality, walkable living.

When my clients ask me, “Toby, where can I find a truly elevated, low-maintenance lifestyle without sacrificing quality or community?” my answer almost invariably includes one name: Belvedere Charlottesville.

This isn’t just another subdivision. Belvedere was designed from the ground up on the principles of “new urbanism.” It’s a concept that gets thrown around a lot, but here, it actually means something. It’s an eco-conscious community thoughtfully designed to blend beautiful homes with parks, trails, businesses, and nature.

For the discerning buyer looking for Belvedere Charlottesville townhomes for sale, the options, quality, and lifestyle are simply unmatched. Let’s dive into what makes this community, its builders, and its newest phase so compelling.

The Belvedere Vision: It’s About Lifestyle, Not Just Location

Before we even talk about floorplans, let’s talk about the feel of the place. When I take clients to Belvedere, the first thing they notice is the abundant green space. This community is woven into the natural landscape, not built on top of it. We’re talking:

• Extensive Trails: Over five miles of walking and biking trails that meander through the neighborhood and, crucially, connect to the larger Rivanna Trail system.
• An Organic Farm: Belvedere is home to a working CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) organic farm. Residents can get fresh produce grown just steps from their front door.
• Parks & Civic Space: You’ll find a dedicated dog park, multiple “pocket parks,” and a “Civic Core” that includes The Center (formerly the Senior Center) and the SOCA (Soccer Organization of Charlottesville-Albemarle) headquarters.
• Walkable Future: The planned “Belvedere Station” aims to be the neighborhood’s commercial heart, a walkable town center with shops, dining, and services.

All this is just 10 minutes from Downtown Charlottesville and even closer to the 29 North corridor (Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Target). It’s the perfect blend of urban convenience and pastoral peace.

The Heart of the Market: “Belvedere Townhomes” vs. “Belvedere Villas”

Now, let’s get to the properties themselves. In the Charlottesville market, “townhome” and “villa” can be confusing. As your agent, it’s my job to clarify the crucial difference. Both offer a “lock-and-leave” lifestyle with exterior maintenance handled, but they serve two distinct needs.

1. Belvedere Charlottesville Townhomes

When we say “townhome” in Belvedere, we’re typically referring to a luxury, multi-level attached home. These are often 3-story residences with 2-car garages on the terrace level, a main living area (kitchen, dining, living) on the second floor, and bedrooms on the third.

These are incredibly popular with busy professionals, young families, and anyone who wants ample square footage and modern, open-concept living without the burden of yard work. You get all the space of a single-family home with all the convenience of a townhome.

2. Belvedere Charlottesville Villas

This is where the market gets really interesting, especially for my downsizing clients. Belvedere Charlottesville villas are the gold standard for main-level living. These are attached homes (often in duplex or triplex-style buildings) specifically designed with the primary suite on the main floor.

This is the lifestyle so many of my clients are seeking. They’re selling the 5-bedroom, 4,000-square-foot colonial in the county, but they don’t want to compromise on quality. They want high-end finishes, 10-foot ceilings, a gourmet kitchen, and a luxurious owner’s suite, all on one level. The villas in Belvedere deliver this perfectly, often including a full basement (finished or unfinished) and a 2-car garage, providing a “right-sized” home that still has room for guests, a home office, or a workshop.

The Master Craftsmen: Craig Builders & Greenwood Homes

A community’s vision is only as good as the builders who execute it. Belvedere has featured some of the area’s best, and right now, the two most prominent names in the townhome and villa space are Craig Builders and Greenwood Homes.

Craig Builders in Belvedere

I’ve been working with clients building Craig Builders homes since, well, since I started in 2003. They are a local, semi-custom builder with a stellar reputation dating back to 1957.

• Quality: Craig is known for robust, quality construction. They use 2×6 exterior framing (which allows for more insulation) and focus heavily on energy efficiency.
• Semi-Custom: This is a key differentiator. Craig Builders offers a semi-custom experience, allowing clients to make significant modifications to their floorplans. They’re not a “pick-your-paint-and-carpet” builder; they’ll move walls.
• The Product: Craig is the primary builder of the high-demand villas in Belvedere. Their “Afton Villa” plan, for example, is a quintessential main-level-living design that my clients adore. It’s a premium product for a buyer who puts quality and customization first.

Greenwood Homes in Belvedere

Greenwood Homes is another fantastic builder making a significant mark on the community, primarily with their luxury townhome offerings.

• Thoughtful Design: Greenwood focuses on creating “thoughtfully designed homes” with modern, open layouts that reflect how people live today.
• Great Value: They deliver a high-quality home with excellent standard features. Their “Holly” townhome plan, for example, is a popular 3-story, 2-car garage design that offers incredible space and style.
• The Product: Greenwood Homes in Belvedere has provided a fantastic option for buyers seeking that multi-level townhome lifestyle. They offer a strong combination of modern design, square footage, and value, all within the premier Belvedere community.

The New Frontier: Belvedere Charlottesville Phase 3

For years, the inventory in Belvedere has been tight. Resale townhomes and villas are rare and sell fast. This is why the launch of Belvedere Charlottesville Phase 3 is such significant news.

This new phase, which includes newly released homesites from Craig Builders, is opening up the exact inventory my clients have been waiting for. Specifically, Phase 3 includes:

• A New Section of Villas: Craig Builders has released a limited number of new homesites (I’m told just 15!) specifically for their attached, main-level-living villas. This is a huge opportunity for downsizers who want to build from scratch and choose their own finishes.
• New Single-Family Lots: For those seeking detached homes, new lots are available for that, too.

What does this mean for you as a buyer? It means you’re not just waiting for a resale to pop up. You have the chance to get in on the newest section of the neighborhood, build a brand-new, energy-efficient home, and lock in a spot in this premier community before it’s built out.

Toby’s Take: My 23-Year Perspective

In my career, I’ve watched countless new communities get announced with big promises of “walkability” and “community.” Many never deliver. They end up as collections of houses with a lonely sidewalk.

Belvedere is one of the few that got it right.

The developers committed to the trails, the green space, and the eco-friendly vision from day one. And the builders, particularly Craig Builders and Greenwood Homes, have populated it with high-quality, architecturally diverse homes.

When you buy a townhome or villa in Belvedere, you’re not just buying sticks and bricks. You’re buying into a proven concept. You’re buying into a lifestyle where you can walk your dog on a beautiful trail, see your neighbors at the organic farm stand, and enjoy a quiet evening on your porch, all while knowing you’re just a short drive from the Downtown Mall.

The demand for this lifestyle is only growing. Whether you’re a professional seeking a luxury townhome or an empty-nester ready for a high-end villa, Belvedere represents one of the most stable and desirable investments in the Charlottesville real estate market.

Navigating the difference between builder contracts, understanding lot premiums, and comparing a new build in Phase 3 versus a resale requires an expert guide.

If you’re considering making a move to Belvedere, I’d be honored to put my 23 years of experience to work for you.

Note: Never purchase a new Belvedere townhome from the builders. A savvy Charlottesville realtor can get you more free upgrades since we know what townhomes have sold for! A builder is in the busines of maximizing his profits.

When clients look at new construction in Belvedere, they’re typically choosing between two distinct lifestyles, and the floorplans from Craig Builders and Greenwood Homes reflect this perfectly.

Here’s a breakdown of the most popular plans you’ll be looking at.

1. The “Main-Level Living” Villa: The Craig Builders Afton

This is the plan that defines the Belvedere Villa lifestyle. When my clients are looking to downsize from a larger home without sacrificing a single ounce of quality, this is where we start.

• Builder: Craig Builders
• The Plan: The “Afton Villa“
• The Layout: This is a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom attached home (often a duplex) that starts around 2,075 square feet.
• Why It’s a Villa: The primary suite is on the main level. This is the key. You get a large bedroom, a luxury bathroom (often with a walk-in shower and dual vanities), and a spacious walk-in closet all on the same floor as your kitchen, great room, and laundry.
• Upstairs: The second floor is for guests, family, or hobbies. It typically features two additional bedrooms, a full bath, and often a flexible loft space.
• The “Toby” Take: This is the “right-sizing” dream. You live entirely on the main floor, but you still have private, separate space for when the kids or grandkids visit. Because Craig is a semi-custom builder, we can often make tweaks to the plan. Plus, many of these homesites in Phase 3 are available with optional basements, giving you a massive amount of storage or space to finish later.

2. The “Luxury Multi-Level” Townhome: The Greenwood Homes Holly

This is the quintessential Belvedere townhome. It’s perfect for professionals, young families, or anyone who wants significant square footage, modern amenities, and a true “lock-and-leave” lifestyle.

• Builder: Greenwood Homes
• The Plans: The “Holly I” & “Holly II“
• The Layout: These are 3-story townhomes that are all about open-concept, vertical living.
  • The Holly II: This is a very popular 3-bedroom plan, starting around 2,130 square feet, with a 2-car garage on the terrace (entry) level. The main level (second floor) is a wide-open great room, kitchen, and dining area. The third floor has all the bedrooms, including the primary suite.
  • The Holly I: This is similar but typically has a 1-car garage and starts a bit larger, around 2,298 square feet. Its standout feature is the option for a fourth-story loft and rooftop terrace, which is a fantastic space for entertaining.
• The “Toby” Take: These homes feel big, bright, and modern. The main living level is impressive and perfect for hosting. You get the space of a single-family home (or more) with zero yard maintenance. For buyers who want that urban, walkable feel with plenty of room to spread out, the “Holly” plans are a go-to.

Summary: Which Lifestyle is Yours?

The best way to feel the difference is to walk them. The new Belvedere homes in Phase 3 mean we can tour the model homes and then go look at the specific lots where you could build your own.

And remember, never purchase a new Belvedere townhome from the builders. A savvy Charlottesville realtor can get you more free upgrades since we know what townhomes have sold for!

Toby Beavers, a Charlottesville townhome realtor since 2003, may be reached by text or phone at 434-327-2999