NEWS: Uncertain Future for 100-year-old “White Houses" along Jamestown Road
Iconic buildings could be demolished for a driveway and parking ... plus, collaboration between City and College redacted
Information provided by the College of William and Mary in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request indicates that representatives from the College and the City of Williamsburg recently discussed the fate of 100-year-old buildings owned by the College and dubbed the Jamestown Road “White Houses.” The future of these buildings has been a topic of debate since the College unveiled plans to tear them down as part of the 2015 Campus Master Plan.
A copy of an agenda for a meeting on April 1, sent from Williamsburg City Manager Andrew Trivette to the College’s Senior Assistant to the President, Michael Fox, indicates they would discuss multiple topics of mutual interest to the City and College. One agenda item was labeled “Joint Projects - Planning for Real Property” under which the White Houses on Jamestown Road are referenced.
A copy of the agenda for the April 1, 2025 Monthly Joint Administration Meeting between the City and College:
Jamestown Place
Instead of preserving the history of the century old structures, William and Mary’s plan calls for them to be torn down so the land can become a driveway and parking for the Admissions Office. The demolition would be part of proposed development called “Jamestown Place” which the College describes as a “new mixed-use campus center” that they assert “will become an active mixed-use neighborhood” across from the main campus.
The new development would replace the current Campus Center and provide a mix of administrative, dining and retail space. The College presents the new space as a striking introduction to the school for both prospective students and other visitors. Many in the community already feel the same way about the century old White Houses, which may portend renewed challenge to the development plans. The College also proposes a two-story parking structure at the rear of the development site accessed by the new driveway.
Facing the wrecking ball?
The proposed changes would result in at least three of the iconic White Houses on Jamestown Road being demolished to make way for a “driveway and a drop-off area as well as accessible parking” for the Admissions Office. According the the Master Plan, the driveway “will make access to the Admissions building, the Child Care Center and other buildings more convenient and easier to find for visitors.”
The remaining White Houses on Jamestown Road are also at risk of being replaced “as the need arises.” As Aine Cain reported in the Flat Hat back in 2015, in response to the College’s proposed demolition plans, Preservation Virginia put the White Houses on their list of the most threatened historic sites in 2015.
Hoke House
Built between 1921-1924, Hoke House has served multiple purposes since, including a family residence, student housing, the Russian Studies House and now the home of the Office of Internal Audit.
Bridges House
Bridges House was built in 1915 by Herbert Lee Bridges, who was a student at the College from 1888-1893, then a member of faculty and staff serving in a wide range of positions, which included secretary to the Board of Supervisors. The building is currently home to several departments including Government and External Affairs.
Stetson House
Stetson House was also built in 1915, alongside the Bridges House, and now houses graduate program administration.
The College has already demolished several of the White Houses, including 234 Jamestown Road which now serves as a parking lot and green space.
Additional White Houses on Jamestown Road that could face demolitions in favor of new development include:
Holmes House, built circa 1921
Lambert House, built circa 1921
Rowe House, built circa 1920
Hornsby House, built circa 1925
Corner House, built circa 1940
Griggs House, built circa 1925
More demolition needed for Jamestown Place
Both the current Campus Center, built in 1960, and Unity Hall built in 1926, would be demolished to make way for Jamestown Place development.
Multiple projects redacted from agenda
GIO Cooperation
One point of discussion during the meeting according to the agenda was the College’s cooperation with the City’s Goals, Initiatives and Objectives (GIO) plan. One item covered was the previously identified Rent Ready initiative. Two additional items were redacted as authorized by Va. Code §2.2-3705.1 (12), which states information can be withheld “concerning the negotiation and award of a specific contract where competition or bargaining is involved” and disclosure would “adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body.”
Redevelopment/Development
In another section of the agenda concerning “Redevelopment/Development Updates,” one City project was redacted using the same justification as above. In the same section other projects are not redacted, including the sports center, police building, live performance venue, new library and the downtown children’s park (which is definitely not a splash park).
As David Macaulay reported in the Daily Press, City and College officials have previously pushed development of a $50M “Research Village” built on land owned by Colonial Williamsburg.
An AI tool called NotebookLM was used to research this post.
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