The convergence of people, culture, and the outdoors ignites Alex’s passion for involvement in land management and assisting others in realizing their land use dreams. As a third-generation landowner with a background in land management, he’s got the right combination of authenticity and curiosity to help you connect with the right people to find your right place.
A native of the Northeast, Alex spent summers on his grandparents’ ranch out West sparking his interest in the land and the cultivation of a “sense of place.” After eight years in farm and land management, he continues to advise and guide potential buyers and future and current owners with their land-holding operations.
A culinary aficionado, Alex lives with his wife, Bliss, daughter, Nellie, and son, Bo, in Charlottesville, Virginia. He’s insistent that his children also discover the thrill of downhill skiing, and they all enjoy spending time fly fishing, traveling and exploring new places, and discovering the local cuisine, whether in the Blue Ridge Mountains or wide expanses of the West.
Talk land with Alex.
At the heart of every exceptional property is a sense of place. Llangollen’s is unmistakable and tells a remarkable story spanning 230 years and 1,100± acres.
Anchoring the farm is an immaculately restored eight-bedroom Colonial Revival manor house (circa 1795) that sits at the end of a mile long driveway with sweeping 180-degree views. In front of the house, 700± verdant acres of Virginia pasture unfold, while an additional 400± acres of forested mountain land rises up behind it. Numerous historic barns and stables, including the iconic Horseshoe Stable, are spread across the property. Other improvements include world-class polo fields, eight tenant cottages, a 12-bay maintenance building, and miles of impeccably restored stone walls.
Llangollen’s balance of seclusion, privacy, and convenience is unbeatable. The nation’s capital is only one hour away and Dulles International and two smaller FBOs can be reached in 45 minutes or less. Middleburg, one of Virginia’s most appealing towns, lies just 15 minutes to the east. Llangollen stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of Virginia and the hunt country lifestyle and presents a rare opportunity to own one of the area’s legacy landholdings.
The first thing many visitors notice about Llangollen are its stone walls along Trappe Road, meticulously restored and braced with locust posts. The walls lead to an understated, hand painted sign that welcomes visitors to Llangollen, which appropriately translates to “Land’s End” in Welsh. The main gravel driveway is almost a mile long and forms the center axis of the farm. Driving in, the equestrian facilities appear along the right side of the drive and farm roads branch off to access the various barns, outbuildings, and tenant cottages. A stunning allée of mature hardwoods marks the final approach to the main house and stretches one-third of a mile.
Surrounding the main house are several historic outbuildings, including the icehouse, cooling dairy, and blacksmith shop. Immediately behind the house is the Horseshoe Stable, a gorgeous structure built by the Whitneys in the 1930’s. The stable’s 24 stalls are not currently in use but could easily return to active duty or be creatively repurposed. Within the barn is the farm office, the artist’s studio, and a large entertaining space. Adjacent to the house and Horseshoe Stable is the farm’s vegetable garden and the Jockey House. The Jockey House is a more modern home that has been partially finished and would make an ideal guest or in-law cottage, and it offers some of the best views on the property.
Additional structures on the farm are spread throughout the northern portion of the property and include eight tenant cottages, barns, stables, polo facilities, and maintenance barn. The maintenance barn was constructed in 2012 and is a valuable operational resource. Six large open bays connect with six enclosed bays and workshop spaces, allowing most of the farm’s maintenance and improvements to be completed in-house. The building also features a staff room and manager’s office. Connecting everything on the farm is a thoughtfully laid out road system that efficiently joins everything while minimizing traffic around the house.
As a land broker, I have the privilege of seeing a lot of remarkable land in special places. Occasionally there are properties that rise above the rest – Llangollen is one of them. It is easy to appreciate its many exceptional features, but equally exceptional is the opportunity it holds. That may sound unusual for such an established property, but adaptability has defined Llangollen for 230 years. From modest patent house to grand farm to renowned equestrian property, Llangollen has evolved with its owners and offers the rare opportunity to live in history while also writing it. For any buyer seeking a generational asset in one of the East’s most iconic landscapes, this is a property with few peers.
Llangollen occupies an enviable location on the western edge of Loudoun County. It is surrounded by a rural patchwork of farms, historic estates, vineyards, and narrow country roads flanked by stone walls. The farm is accessed off Trappe Road, which is part of a network of protected country roads called the Beaverdam Historic Road District, many of which have traced the same paths since colonial times.
Five minutes to the south lies the historic village of Upperville, while fifteen minutes east is the popular town of Middleburg. The town centers of both Upperville and Middleburg are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Washington D.C. is within commuting distance and just over an hour away. Dulles International Airport is similarly accessible and only 45 minutes away. FBO’s in Leesburg and Winchester can be reached in 35 minutes or less, both of which have 5500’x100’ runways. The net result is a remarkably accessible property that is equally well suited for buyers seeking a full-time residence, weekend getaway, or destination farm.
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Middleburg and Upperville are rightfully known as horse country and equestrian traditions here run as deep as the history. The idyllic landscape has long been a favorite getaway for business leaders and politicians in Washington, D.C. and the Mid-Atlantic.
The historic village of Upperville is home to the oldest horse show in America, as well as several of the most notable farms in the area. Nearby, Middleburg the “Nation’s Horse and Hunt Capitol” features an excellent selection of restaurants, shops, and amenities. At the center of town is the Red Fox Inn, founded in 1728, and one of the oldest continually operating inns in the country.
Spread throughout the annual calendar are a number of events ranging from the Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase races to the Middleburg Film Festival, all of which make for a vibrant and engaging rural community. The wider Middleburg area is also home to over 40 vineyards and wineries. And thanks to one of the highest concentrations of conservation easements in the country the area has a well-preserved sense of place and continuity rarely found today, much less in such close proximity to a major metropolitan area.
Northern Virginia experiences a true four-season climate. Summers are warm and humid and temperatures in July and August average in the upper 80’s and low 90’s. Winter sees temperatures in the 30’s and 40’s, occasionally dipping lower in January and February. Spring and fall showcase Virginia’s landscape at its best and high temperatures consistently reach the 70’s during the daytime and cool off into the 50’s at night. Average annual rainfall is approximately 42 inches, while average annual snowfall is around 21 inches.
In 1795 a modest 16’x20’ patent house was constructed at the intersection of three parcels of land to secure their title. Around the same time Leven Powell, founder of Middleburg and early US Congressman, assumed the lease for Llangollen and subsequently, ownership of the property. The Powell family stewarded the farm for the next 54 years and Powell’s son, Cuthbert, substantially expanded the original house and made the farm his full-time residence. Upon Cuthbert Powell’s death the farm changed hands several times before transferring to George Ayer, who owned three other farms nearby.
The Civil War and the surrounding years upended life in Loudoun County and the Battle of Upperville, a major prelude to Gettysburg, took place at Llangollen’s doorstep. Mosby’s Rangers were active throughout the area and the Union Army’s pursuit of Mosby would result in the destruction or damage of many of the surrounding farms. Llangollen had the good fortune to make it through unscathed and several pre-war structures on the farm remain. Reconstruction was a period of boom and bust for Llangollen and a brief period of prosperity was followed by decades of decline.
Everything changed in early 20th century when word got out about the incredible “hunt country” of the Virginia Piedmont. Wealthy equestrians flocked to the area and in 1908 Harry Toulim purchased the property and proceeded to make substantial investments in the property, while also acquiring several neighboring tracts. Llangollen’s most notable owner, John Hay “Jock” Whitney, entered the picture in 1931 when he purchased the farm as a wedding gift for his new wife, Liz. Jock was heir to the vast Whitney fortune and a leading businessman, diplomat, and socialite of his time. Following their purchase of Llangollen, the Whitneys hosted the Llangollen Races, which attracted a crowd of 20,000 and featured a then enormous prize of $5,000. In the following years, Llangollen became a major thoroughbred stable and featured heavily in the heyday of Virginia thoroughbred racing.
The Brennan Family became the most recent stewards of Llangollen after purchasing the property in 2007. New life was breathed into the farm under their guidance, particularly the equestrian aspects, led by its best-in-class polo program. History lives on today and Llangollen’s unwritten future is bright.
Llangollen is unusual in that it’s an outstanding equestrian property, yet it could easily be adapted for alternate uses. The open ground is mostly level, making it ideal for farming, livestock, or wildlife habitat. Where there is topography, it is gently rolling and provides just enough elevation to make recreational pursuits interesting. An approximate breakdown of acreage at Llangollen is:
Elevations range from 1,660 feet to 540 feet above sea level.
Conservation Easement:
The property is protected by a conservation easement that ensures the property’s natural and scenic value remain intact, but also provides options for future owners. The property may be subdivided into 11 parcels with a wide range of associated improvements permitted on each parcel.
Much like the farm itself, the main house at Llangollen had humble beginnings. Originally a one and a half story 16’x20’ patent house, the home steadily evolved with its owners and their times. During the 1830’s it was expanded in the popular Federal Style, and later, over several substantial renovations, the house took on a Colonial Revival aesthetic.
In many ways the house is a successful and enjoyable balancing act. The old mixes with the new, the formal with the casual, and quiet corners offset larger entertaining spaces. Spread throughout the 24 rooms are 17 fireplaces. The nine bedrooms are thoughtfully broken up into groups of two’s and three’s across the house, an ideal layout for hosting groups and multiple generations. Above all, Llangollen is a country house in the truest sense, designed to be lived in and enjoyed.
House Facts:
Over the past one hundred years Llangollen established a rich equestrian tradition and it became one of the leading thoroughbred stables of the mid-twentieth century. Among the many notable horses bred at Llangollen was Sherluck, the 1961 Belmont Stakes winner.
Polo was originally introduced to the property in the 1950’s and today is a focal point on the farm. The farm’s polo complex was meticulously designed and constructed in 2007, and the playing and spectating experience is phenomenal. The main field is larger than regulation size and the Patriot Bermuda Grass pitch is diligently maintained. Bordering the main field are tiered grass and hardscape stands, atop of which is a dedicated tent pad equipped with electrical service. Nearby the main field is a 320’x160’ stone dust polo arena and an additional practice field, also planted with Patriot Bermuda Grass. Supplementary polo infrastructure includes a stick and ball field, 5/8ths exercise track, round pen, hitting cage, and an Asado pavilion for post-play gatherings.
In recent years, operations have centered around the training barn, mare barn, and dairy barn. Turnout options are abundant and include a mix of large open pastures, medium-sized fields, and small individual paddocks. Run in sheds are spread throughout the fields and the extensive fencing is a mix of board fence and woven wire. Multiple tenant homes and apartments are strategically located across the property, providing ample housing for stable staff.
While the echoes of Llangollen’s racing and polo legacy resonate throughout the farm, the potential for other equestrian activities is boundless. The terrain is ideal for a cross-country or steeplechase course and the layout of the barns lends itself to a multi-trainer operation, breeding facility, or full-service equestrian center catering to any discipline. A new owner could streamline existing operations or reimagine the infrastructure to suit their vision, making Llangollen a unique opportunity for any equestrian.
The annual estimated taxes are $42,784.
Outside of polo, past equestrian activities have included steeplechase, thoroughbred racing, and foxhunting, and the farm would be a welcome home to virtually any discipline. Internal farm roads connect to an established trail system that winds up the western mountainside and there is ample potential to expand the trails for further hiking, riding, or mountain biking on the property.
Wildlife is abundant with whitetail deer, eastern wild turkey, black bear, red fox, and other species regularly seen on the farm. Hunting is currently pursued on a limited basis, but establishing additional wildlife habitat and implementing a management program would be easy to do. The eight ponds on the property have been periodically stocked and offer an easy escape for anyone looking to cast a rod.
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