Hollin Hills
Encyclopedia
Hollin Hills is a neighborhood of approximately 450 houses conceived and built by the visionary builder Robert C. Davenport, and designed by D.C.-based architect Charles M. Goodman
(who also designed the Washington National Airport) and landscape architect Dan Kiley
.
Hollin Hills is in the Fort Hunt area around neighborhoods such as Villamay and Mason Hill, just south of Alexandria
in Fairfax County
, Virginia
.
The Board of the Civic Association of Hollin Hills (CAHH) is currently in the process of seeking a National Register of Historic Places
designation for the neighborhood.
and developed by Robert Davenport in the 1940s, Hollin Hills brought contemporary construction to northern Virginia. The community was one of the first post-World-War-II
developments around Washington, D.C.
, and it is known primarily for its modern architecture
, which is very cohesive because of a design review committee that advises on building or modification of existing houses.
Hollin Hills was intended as a variation of the 18th century Hollin Hall
Plantation, originally owned by George Mason
, one of the founding fathers, known as the “Father of the Bill of Rights.” General Mason named his lands after an English estate of his mother’s family. Some of the Hollin Hall plantation buildings are still in existence on Sherwood Hall Lane.
While planning the community, architect Charles M. Goodman
and landscape architect Dan Kiley
designed each home with lots no smaller than one-third of an acre. The community was built retaining the trees in the area to block sight lines, and houses were built at angles to ensure privacy. The popularity of the homes, which feature huge expanses of glass, established Goodman as a nationally acclaimed guru of modern architecture
. Some street names in Hollin Hills were chosen by Robert Davenport to complement the community name. Others were named after family members. For example, Martha Road was named for his mother, and Rebecca Lane for his daughter. Elba Road was actually named after one of his prize bulls.
Hollin Hills is on the Fairfax County, Virginia, Inventory of Historic Sites.
, former U.S. Representative James G. O'Hara
(1925–1989), and United States Senator Pat Roberts
.
Charles M. Goodman
Charles M. Goodman was an American architect who made a name for his modern designs in suburban Washington, D.C. after World War II. While his work has a regional feel, he ignored the colonial revival look so popular in Virginia...
(who also designed the Washington National Airport) and landscape architect Dan Kiley
Dan Kiley
Daniel Urban Kiley was a noted American landscape architect in the modernist style.- Life and career :Kiley was born in Boston, Massachusetts...
.
Hollin Hills is in the Fort Hunt area around neighborhoods such as Villamay and Mason Hill, just south of Alexandria
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
in Fairfax County
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.
The Board of the Civic Association of Hollin Hills (CAHH) is currently in the process of seeking a National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
designation for the neighborhood.
History
Designed by Charles M. GoodmanCharles M. Goodman
Charles M. Goodman was an American architect who made a name for his modern designs in suburban Washington, D.C. after World War II. While his work has a regional feel, he ignored the colonial revival look so popular in Virginia...
and developed by Robert Davenport in the 1940s, Hollin Hills brought contemporary construction to northern Virginia. The community was one of the first post-World-War-II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
developments around Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, and it is known primarily for its modern architecture
Modern architecture
Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. It is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely...
, which is very cohesive because of a design review committee that advises on building or modification of existing houses.
Hollin Hills was intended as a variation of the 18th century Hollin Hall
Hollin Hall
Hollin Hall is an 18th century plantation home on Little Hunting Creek three miles southwest of Alexandria in Fairfax County, Virginia. George Mason, a United States founding father, gave Hollin Hall to his third son, Thomson Mason, through deeds of gift in 1781 and 1786. The land, as given,...
Plantation, originally owned by George Mason
George Mason
George Mason IV was an American Patriot, statesman and a delegate from Virginia to the U.S. Constitutional Convention...
, one of the founding fathers, known as the “Father of the Bill of Rights.” General Mason named his lands after an English estate of his mother’s family. Some of the Hollin Hall plantation buildings are still in existence on Sherwood Hall Lane.
While planning the community, architect Charles M. Goodman
Charles M. Goodman
Charles M. Goodman was an American architect who made a name for his modern designs in suburban Washington, D.C. after World War II. While his work has a regional feel, he ignored the colonial revival look so popular in Virginia...
and landscape architect Dan Kiley
Dan Kiley
Daniel Urban Kiley was a noted American landscape architect in the modernist style.- Life and career :Kiley was born in Boston, Massachusetts...
designed each home with lots no smaller than one-third of an acre. The community was built retaining the trees in the area to block sight lines, and houses were built at angles to ensure privacy. The popularity of the homes, which feature huge expanses of glass, established Goodman as a nationally acclaimed guru of modern architecture
Modern architecture
Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. It is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely...
. Some street names in Hollin Hills were chosen by Robert Davenport to complement the community name. Others were named after family members. For example, Martha Road was named for his mother, and Rebecca Lane for his daughter. Elba Road was actually named after one of his prize bulls.
Awards
Hollin Hills has won many awards, beginning with the Revere Quality House award from the Southwest Research Institute in 1950 and including two 1982 Test of Time awards from the Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects, for houses on Stafford Road.Hollin Hills is on the Fairfax County, Virginia, Inventory of Historic Sites.
Notable residents
Hollin Hills is known for attracting artists, politicians, and political liberals. Notable residents include former CBS newsman Eric SevareidEric Sevareid
Arnold Eric Sevareid was a CBS news journalist from 1939 to 1977. He was one of a group of elite war correspondents—dubbed "Murrow's Boys"—because they were hired by pioneering CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow....
, former U.S. Representative James G. O'Hara
James G. O'Hara
James Grant O'Hara was a soldier and politician from the U.S. state of Michigan, serving as U.S. Representative from 1959 to 1977.-Early life:...
(1925–1989), and United States Senator Pat Roberts
Pat Roberts
Charles Patrick "Pat" Roberts is the senior United States Senator from Kansas. A member of the Republican Party, he has served since 1997...
.