Shack Mountain, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Feb 3rd 2011 at 1:01PM

If you love the elegant look of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, today's estate might just next best thing. Shack Mountain was designed by Fiske Kimball, (1888-1955), a an aficionado of Jeffersonian architecture and the first Chair of the University of Virginia's School of Architecture. Completed in 1937, Shack Mountain, Kimball's home, carries many of the hallmarks of Jefferson's architectural ideals. The front of the house is an elongated octagon dominated by a Tuscan portico with paired columns, a shape Jefferson believed ideal for light.

The home is located minutes from downtown Charlottesville and the University of Virginia and protected on one side by the Ivy Creek Natural Area owned by the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County and on another side by an historic estate subject to a conservation easement meaning that Shack Mountain's privacy is ensured in perpetuity. It is on 102 acres that are mostly wooded with open fields to the north and east and lovely mountain views. It has never been for sale on the open market before and guessing at the listing picture of the kitchen I'm guessing some renovations might be needed. But please, dear future owner, be gentle. You wouldn't put granite countertops in Monticello now would you? This home is listed at $4.495 million.

Gallery: Shack Mountain

[Thanks, Spec.]

Tags: Charlottesville, charlottesville virginia, estate of the day, virginia real estate

Filed under: Estates

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Spectacular Bid Feb 3rd 2011 1:28PM

An architectural gem, visually protected, and historically significant although perhaps it is priced a bit higher then the market will bear. While the name "Shack Mountain" may not be the most appealing it does have a significance to the site.

Shack Mountain gets its name from the Shackelford family, which first owned and settled the property in the early 18th century. Architect Fiske Kimball actually wanted to name his new abode "Tusculum" but reconsidered and decided to give the historical nod the original land owners.

It isn't a house for everyone and today's residential expectations may be unsatisfied by a house that is bit more museum then mansion. Still its highly unique and quite satisfying as a retreat. Kimball evidently only lived there in June and around Christmas.

Photos from 1990 when it was nominated as a National Historic Landmark
http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Photos/76002090.pdf

jai Feb 3rd 2011 3:44PM

One of the best parts about Monticello is the view so its nice to see that this house has a view too. Love the terraced area.

I don't care for the orphaned stove in the kitchen - always nice to have some place next to the stove to set hot stuff down on. The bedrooms look small but that's probably typical for the house's era. No pictures of bathrooms makes me suspect that they are small/outdated.

If I were the homeowners/agents/stagers I would give serious consideration to removing half the side tables in that living room and do something about that bed/door situation in the 4th photo from the bottom.

Strange that they decluttered the kitchen (to an extreme!) and left all that personal art/knick knacks in the other public rooms. The roosters gotta go.

jai Feb 3rd 2011 3:53PM

okay, if those photos from Spectacular Bid's link are from 1990 . . . they haven't updated the decor in . . . 11 years?

Eric Feb 3rd 2011 5:49PM

1990 is 21 years ago :)

gafoss Feb 3rd 2011 3:54PM

Love it!

Travis Feb 3rd 2011 8:47PM

I just read a book about Jefferson, American Sphinx, and I love his lifelong dream of a utopian manor. The first thing I thought of when I saw the first pic was Monticello. What a beautiful estate. I hope it's restored properly.

Travis Feb 3rd 2011 9:23PM

whoops. I love jefferson's dream of a utopian manor... minus the slavery. lol

JLS Feb 4th 2011 3:49AM

The history and charm are obvious all around this mansion. That said, the kitchen is in urgent need of upgrading. I think anyone who buys it would want to do that immediately. The views all around are breathtaking. This area of the country is so pretty and peaceful. I love it.