Belle Aire Explained

Belle Aire
Designated Other1:Virginia Landmarks Register
Designated Other1 Date:October 21, 1975[1]
Designated Other1 Number:128-0052
Designated Other1 Num Position:bottom
Location:U.S. 11, Roanoke, VA
Coordinates:37.2636°N -80.0178°W
Architect:Deyerle, Benjamin; Sedon, Gustavus
Architecture:Greek Revival
Added:April 15, 1975
Refnum:75002034

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 16003NaN3 of land adjacent to the Roanoke River.[2] 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.[2]

History

Belle Aire was constructed by Benjamin Deyerle and his carpenter Gustave A. Sedon (also known as Gustavus Sedon) for the Pitzer family in 1849.[3] Its Greek Revival embellishments were influenced by the New England architect Asher Benjamin's publication The Practical House Carpenter of 1830.[3] The L-shaped home is of brick construction with stuccoed Doric pilasters at the corners. Its most recognizable feature is its 2-story pedimented portico four fluted Doric columns at each level.[3] 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.[4] It became a Virginia Historic Landmark in 1966 and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

References

  1. Web site: Virginia Landmarks Register. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. 19 March 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053819/http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/register_counties_cities.htm. 21 September 2013. dead.
  2. Web site: Greater Deyerle Neighborhood Plan: History . City of Roanoke Planning Division . 2008-09-06 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110721062738/http://www.roanokeva.gov/85256A8D0062AF37/CurrentBaseLink/157A6CAEA30726F98525724B0059D03E/%24File/GDNHPlan_History.pdf . 2011-07-21 .
  3. Web site: Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Staff. National Register of Historic Places nomination, Belle Aire. September 1975. 2008-09-06.
  4. Web site: City of Roanoke GIS. City of Roanoke. 2008-09-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20110721061712/http://gis.roanokeva.gov/viewer.cfm?Title=City%20of%20Roanoke. 2011-07-21. dead.