Virginia Historic Landmark c1895 Near Charlottesville To Sell To The Highest Bidder At An Absolute Auction By Concierge Auctions

GREENWOOD, Va., Sept. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- An exceptional 78-acre historic estate with unparalleled views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, listed as both a Virginia Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places, located just 15 miles west of Charlottesville and the world-renowned University of Virginia campus, will sell at an Absolute auction on October 18th through Concierge Auctions. Known as Ramsay, the property will sell to the highest bidder in cooperation with listing agents Ross Stevens of Stevens & Company and Stephen McLean of McLean Faulconer Inc. It was originally offered for sale for $7.5 million.

"Ramsay presents so many options for its new owner. It could be used as a private estate, a meeting place for family and friends or for entrepreneurial pursuits such as a vineyard, historic country inn, destination wedding venue, corporate retreat or for livestock," Stevens stated. "The property is beautiful, serene and deeply rooted in history, which can be felt throughout. With the Blue Ridge Mountains as its backdrop, Ramsay Farms is truly one of the most exceptional historic estates for sale in today's marketplace."

Sitting atop a prominent knoll surrounded by lush, gently rolling pastures and a 180-degree breathtaking view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Ramsay consists of a main house; a detached front gable garage; a Cape Cod-style guest cottage; a two-story farm house; a three-room studio; a workshop; a potting shed and a barn. Carefully and meticulously restored by its current owners, the approximately 5,300-square-foot, two-story main home features four bedrooms, one with a sleeping porch; four and a half bathrooms; a gourmet chef's kitchen; a personal library with custom-built bookshelves and a mudroom with laundry. Ten-foot-plus ceilings can be found on both floors, with crown molding and gorgeous pine wood flooring throughout. Modern amenities include a two-zone hot water radiator, three-zone central air conditioning and special storm windows — all in addition to its well-preserved historical attributes. Outdoors, residents can enjoy two expansive, covered porches, perfect for outdoor gatherings, and a pond out front. There is also a large outdoor fireplace that was once the chimney of a log cabin on the property. Restored by the present owners and great for entertaining, the fireplace is used almost all year round and features a raised hearth and a sitting area that is shaped by the original first floor footprint of the cabin.

The two-story, 2,300-square-foot guest cottage contains three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a full kitchen, family room, a dining and living room and a private driveway. The cottage is filled with charming amenities and beautiful details throughout, and the same distinct, colorful palate as the main house. Its kitchen opens out to a screen porch that has an unimpeded view of the mountains. The manager's farm house is the second oldest structure on the property, circa 1910. It contains 1,300 square feet with a large, new kitchen addition off the back. Currently used as office space, it was originally built as a residence for caretakers of the estate. The three-room studio has vaulted ceilings that can easily be converted into a home office.

"Now is the time for a new chapter for Ramsay as well as for our family," stated the owner, Harry Lankenau. "My wife Susan and I are essentially the only ones living on the property on a full-time basis. Ramsay is currently underutilized, for sure. For example, the cottage has a separate driveway entrance and would be perfect for overflow guests, higher end rentals, parents still capable of independent living or young adult children. We chose Concierge because their accelerated sales process has a specific end sale date. It creates decision making for buyers."

Ramsay is a Virginia Historic Landmark and can be found on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally constructed by William H. Langhorne in 1895, enlargements and restorations took place in 1937, 1947 and 1955, all overseen by Charlottesville architect Milton Grigg, well-known for his association with the Rockefellers in their revival and the restoration of Williamsburg. Langhorne Gibson, son of the famous Gibson Girl, Irene Gibson, and well-known turn of the century artist Charles Dana Gibson, inherited the property in 1936 and named the residence "Ramsay" in honor of its first land grant recipient, Lord Ramsay from England. A year later, he hired Grigg to make additions and modifications to the house and was subsequently hired twice again.

From the mid-19th to early 20th century, residences of significant stature and architectural design began to grace the landscape of Greenwood. The town became home to several estates now entered into National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Historic Landmark. Most of these historic properties are protected from development by conservation easements, including Ramsay. To further recognize the historic significance of the area, the state of Virginia recently approved the establishment of the Greenwood-Afton Historic District. The area is ripe for hiking and biking and boasts the largest group of vineyards in the state, with several well-known wineries within a couple of miles of Ramsay. Charlottesville, rated one of the top places to live in the country, is an easy 20-minute drive. The vibrant college town is filled with live music, historic theaters, distinctive shopping venues and national landmarks such as Monticello. Richmond is an hour away, Washington, D.C. is two hours and the Atlantic Coast/Virginia Beach is three hours.

"This is an unprecedented opportunity to purchase a historic Virginia estate at an exceptional value," stated Laura Brady, Vice President of Marketing for Concierge Auctions. "Protected from further development, Ramsay has retained its lineage yet still offers the comfort of modern amenities. It is a one-of-a-kind estate with various opportunities for the new buyer to make it their own and continue its legacy."

The auction of Ramsay will be conducted live on October 18th. A 2.5% commission is offered to the buyer's representing broker. The property is open for preview daily from 1 to 4 p.m. and by appointment. See Auction Terms and Conditions for full details. For more information visit RamsayAuction.com or call 888.256.2806.

About Concierge Auctions: Concierge Auctions is the preeminent luxury real estate auction firm serving high-end sellers nationwide through an accelerated marketing process that obtains fair market value for high-end properties in a 60-day timeframe. The company has executed auctions from New York to Hawaii and hosts a database that includes more than 100,000 luxury real estate buyers and agents from all 50 states and 38 countries and territories. The principals of Concierge Auctions have been involved in the transfer of more than $2 billion in luxury real estate sales over the past 10 years.  For more information, call 888-966-4759 or visit ConciergeAuctions.com

SOURCE Concierge Auctions