Surrounded by magnificent mansions in the largest Victorian neighborhood in the United States, 1812 Monument accomplishes the undeniably monumental task of standing out as a genuinely remarkable home on the storybook boulevard of Monument Avenue.
Sited in the middle of an oversized double lot, this home exudes a refined elegance, confidence and sophistication that is quite unique on a street packed with homes clamoring for attention. The scale, proportions and symmetry create a perfect example of colonial Revival architecture, yet within this design palette the Architect ingeniously crafted a bright and modern living experience unlike many of the strictly formal homes on the Avenue.
Artful and unique construction details such as the use of pressed brick on all four sides of the home and carriage house, fully-circular front porch, transverse central hall, a full basement with oversized ceiling height and triple-hung Jefferson windows only scratch the surface of this turn-of-the-century gem. Having been fully renovated and painstakingly restored by the current owners, this home offers the best of historic workmanship and currently unavailable materials while providing real peace of mind and energy efficiencies that only a completely updated home can provide. Modernized major mechanicals include geothermal heating, all new electrical system and 400 amp service as well as new plumbing throughout.
In the rear of the home all three floors have direct access to the rear yard and to elevated decks that overlook the beautiful 4-car Cotswald Carriage House that is a wonderful study in architecture and construction itself. The English Garden and heated bluestone patio and walkways provide an urban oasis and great for entertaining, while the private off-street parking and private driveway off Monument means you and your guests will never have to look for parking.
1812 Monument truly stands out as a diamond among gems.
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More on the History
Monument Avenue is celebrated as an important example of successful urban planning. Defined by a tree-lined boulevard, historic homes, churches, and monuments, it embodies much of what makes Richmond such a beautiful city. 1812 Monument Avenue stands as a grand examples of residential architecture on one of the country’s most recognizable avenues.
The home was designed by architect Claude Howell for the original owner, Louis W. Pizzini – manager of a piano, organ and sheet music sales business – in 1905. Howell and his associates made a significant mark on the City of Richmond and Monument Avenue over a relatively short period of years. They designed and built fourteen houses along the avenue between 1906 and 1917. Howell also designed The National theater in Richmond as well as several others throughout the South.
With 1812 Monument Howell made creative use of several architectural elements and floor plan variations in a way that created balance while maintaining functionality. His design placed the entrance on the West side of the house rather than in the center under the front porch. In turn, that set the stage for a unique interior floor plan that includes a small, unusual reception parlor and a transverse hallway rather than a long center corridor. He also included many interesting details such as dormers, a bay window on the front facade, keystones over the doors and windows, and a “spiderweb” fanlight over the front door.
