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.[1][2]
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.[3]
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Designed by Charles M. Goodman 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.[4]
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.[5][6] 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.[7]
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.
Hollin Hills is known for attracting artists, politicians, and political liberals.[8] Notable residents include former CBS newsman Eric Sevareid,[9] former U.S. Representative James G. O'Hara (1925–1989),[10] and United States Senator Pat Roberts.
The official website of Hollin Hills.