How would you like to relocate to a rural setting, live in a gorgeous 5,000+ sq. ft. custom-built home, enjoy five rolling acres of Virginia land, and instantly become the proprietor of not one but two established businesses? This is not your average “house for sale.” Sandy Creek is a package deal that offers its future owners a new lifestyle. It’s a property with deep historical roots and an extraordinary tree. But it’s not for just anyone. The future owners are likely to be as special as the property itself.
THE REGION: The locals call this area “Historyland.” Indeed, Gloucester County, Virginia, is nestled in a region where the first American settlers landed, and the revolution was fought and won. Archaeologists here are still unearthing treasures from Native American villages and early settlers’ daily lives. The region offers plenty of recreational fun, both on land and water—perfect for hiking, boating, fishing, or a day at the beach.
A TREE GIFTED BY THOMAS JEFFERSON: The historical roots of Sandy Creek extend back to the 18th century when John Clayton owned the property. Clayton immigrated from England in 1715 and served as clerk of Gloucester County from 1722 until he died in 1772. Today, a prominent roadway that connects the towns of Gloucester and Mathews bears his name. In addition to his day job, Clayton was a botanist. His friend and fellow plant enthusiast Thomas Jefferson gifted him with a shagbark hickory tree—a tree that can grow well over 100 feet tall and live as long as 350 years. Over 250 years later, that same majestic tree still stands where John Clayton planted it and is the very heart of Sandy Creek.
THE EVOLUTION: Fast forward two-and-a-half centuries. Current owners John and Suzanne Holt began their life together in 2007. John had bought the property in 2000. In addition to an old farmhouse, there was a barn (c. 1790) and several outbuildings. He got the farmhouse livable with the intention of a full restoration. After a valiant attempt, too many pitfalls came to light, so the house was torn down and repurposed. The contractor who did the dismantling built a ten-seat dining table from the farmhouse timbers and gave it to the couple. That table dominates the open kitchen and will stay with the house. The first new construction on the property consisted of a 3-car garage with living quarters above. The main house construction began in 2009 and was completed in 2015. John and Suzanne served as general contractors for the construction and hands-on workers, taking on much of the customization of their home—both sourcing the materials and installing them. Everything is custom. They made drawings of the floor plan they wanted and hired a local architect to make working plans.
Some of their unusual finds include a Vulcan stove being sold by a culinary school; an eight-foot solid African mahogany entryway door purchased from California; and the stone used throughout the house in multiple fireplaces and columns is handpicked from Bull Run Quarries in Virginia. John built a cooking fireplace on the back patio with the leftover stone—right next to the tiki bar (which they built together) and an in-ground swimming pool.
When the couple visited Ireland, they found inspiration in the Irish Pub décor and vibe and decided to make their second floor into their own private pub, complete with a bar, fireplace and stage. They found the wood for the pub at a historical salvage company in Virginia. The chestnut beams and barn wood needed to be cleaned and processed before it was installed. They scrubbed it with Borax and Murphy’s Oil Soap; wrapped it in plastic; and left it to bake in the sun for a couple of weeks. They pressure washed and scrubbed it again, finally sanding and edging the wood. And then they laid the flooring themselves.
THE BUSINESSES: Both John and Suzanne are multi-faceted individuals with several successful businesses and careers. As a restaurant owner, John was tired of the long hours that kept him away from home, so he decided to start a kennel business right on the property. As a lifelong dog owner and breeder, it was a natural fit. “We constructed a metal building for the kennel, put an ad in the paper and that’s how it all started,” he said. Sandy Creek Pet Resort was born, and today it’s a thriving kennel and grooming business that also offers in-home pet care, training, and wellness services. The beautiful old barn built with bricks from England was restored and is now used as the grooming salon and kennel office. Sandy Creek has been voted “Best in Virginia” by readers of Virginia Living Magazine for seven years in a row.
Another business that comes with the package is the 2-bedroom apartment above the garage, currently run as an Airbnb rental with ongoing high demand. The apartment also makes an excellent in-law suite or guest space, complete with its own kitchen and bathroom.
Of course, multiple options abound for this property, including livestock ventures, a nursery business, a yoga ashram, or simply a private residence with all the bells and whistles.
THE NEXT CHAPTER: John and Suzanne are not people who shy away from a challenge. Together they dreamed, planned, sourced, hauled, installed, and sweated to make Sandy Creek their ideal. It’s time for their next chapter and Sandy Creek’s next owners to step into the opportunity this amazing property offers. It is John and Suzanne’s sincere wish that whoever purchases the property will love and appreciate it as much as they have. Could this be your ideal?
For a private showing or more information, contact Rosemary Griffith, IsaBell K. Horsley Real Estate, at 804-387-1807 or romygriff@gmail.com.
View photos and more information online at https://bit.ly/2IPCeHB.