As evidence that the market is improving, we have finalized a contract with NVR/Ryan Homes for the purchase of 56 single-family home sites adjacent to the existing Stonehouse Glen neighborhood. We have begun construction on the first phase of 18 lots and hope to complete this phase by the end of August. Ryan Homes began marketing the home sites and has two reservations and several more working. Ryan Homes also has plans to begin construction of a new model home this summer.

We are in discussions with several small, local, semi-custom builders regarding a builder program for proposed golf course home sites in Mill Pond. The home sites would be located on the north side of Fieldstone Parkway close to the main Stonehouse entrance. We hope to be able to announce a formal program in the next couple of months.

Laurel Grove Park pool and clubhouse are now open. The two-story clubhouse features a 24-hour fitness facility, a spacious clubroom that is ideal for private parties and functions, and an expansive deck overlooking the pool complex. There are two separate pools…..a Jr-Olympic size pool and a splash pool for the children. A playground area is also a part of the amenity package.

We continue to develop our plans for the second annual Stonehouse Fall Festival. The festival will be held on Saturday, September 17th and will focus once again on music, art and the natural environment. We will have more details to share as the summer progresses.

Tom Page
Vice President, General Manager
GS Virginia/Stonehouse

On September 11th, the community invited the public to join in the celebration of art, nature and our natural environment at the First Stonehouse Fall Festival. On a perfect fall afternoon, guests enjoyed great food, music by Eclipse Jazz Quartet, and artwork by several outstanding local artists including Bob Carlson (a resident of Stonehouse). The highlight of the festival was a “Plein Air” art competition featuring paintings of Ware Creek. This navigable waterway is one of the most beautiful in the area as it surrounded on both sides by marshlands extending half a mile or more. This four mile creek winds its way through Stonehouse and provides unparalleled natural habitat for various wildlife including bald eagles, ducks, geese, herons, and deer. The winner of the “Plein Air” competition and first place $500 cash prize was Joyce White, a longtime Williamsburg resident.

And finally, the community’s first Holiday Party was held on Saturday, December 11th and was a tremendous success. A big thanks goes out to the social committee members and other volunteers who were solely responsible for the planning and execution of the event. The day started out with an early morning “Breakfast with Santa” where presents were handed out to the younger children. In the afternoon, residents crafted homemade stockings. Early evening, a competition was held for the “Best Decorated House” in the community and the grand finale was a party that night at the Laurel Grove Park clubhouse.

By the way, we thought you might like to know we were honored to win an award from the Hampton Roads Real Estate Association (HRACRE) for “Excellence in Development Design” for Laurel Grove Park.

Looking forward to 2011, we hope to provide even more exciting events for our residents, their guests and members of the local community. We have already started planning the 2011 Fall Festival and invite all of you to join us in the celebration. If we are fortunate and the economy continues to improve, we hope to be able to announce after the first of the year the development of several new neighborhoods in Stonehouse.

Have a great holiday!
Tom Page
Vice President, General Manager
GS Virginia/Stonehouse

Winter 2010

Despite Mother Nature’s best effort, we continue to make progress on the construction of our newest, and Preservation’s first amenity, Laurel Grove Park. A nor’easter with 7 inches of rainfall in November followed by bone-chilling cold temperatures in December did not dampen our spirits as we continue to move forward with completing the amenity.

The 4,700 square-foot clubhouse is beginning to take shape as the exterior is essentially complete. We are finishing the installation of the interior plumbing, electrical and heating/air systems, and we will begin drywall installation in a week or so. The concrete shells for both the main pool and the kiddie pool are complete. We are on track for a grand opening on Memorial Day weekend.

We are also moving forward with the engineering design and approvals for several residential neighborhoods, including some golf course homesites in Mill Pond and single family homesites in Preservation. We hope to be able to announce the start of construction on one or both neighborhoods in the very near future.

In the Stonehouse Commerce Park, AVID Medical has completed the 90,000 square-foot expansion of their facility and Nicewood Industries continues to make progress on their 30,000 square-foot expansion. Also, please remember Lumber Liquidators has a retail store in the park where consumers can purchase hardwood flooring direct at discount prices.

Thank you for your interest in the Stonehouse community. Please continue to visit our website for up-to-date information.

Sincerely,
Tom Page
Project General Manager

As the long summer days drift into early fall, we thought it would be fun to reminisce about the great events we’ve celebrated this season and remind you of the fantastic plans we’ve set for the cooler months ahead

On Memorial Day weekend, we introduced the community to Preservation’s newest amenity, Laurel Grove Park. Set against the canopy landscape of oaks and pines, our neighborhood christened the aquatics facility with a Thursday evening BBQ from Williamsburg’s famous Pierce’s while touring the spectacular club room and fitness facility, all overlooking the spectacular pool and children’s 10-foot mushroom waterfall. Henderson Inc., the general contractor for the project, is to be commended for their craftsmanship in delivering a superior facility that sets the mark for future development.

Coinciding with this great Memorial Day event, we were thrilled with Stonehouse’s coverage in the May issue of Where to Retire magazine which hit newsstands this summer. Read the full story here.

We continue to move forward with plans for the first Stonehouse Fall Festival, which is open to the public. The festival, scheduled for September 11th from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Laurel Grove Park will feature:

- Music by Eclipse Jazz Quarter, a world-class group including Williamsburg’s own Allen Wittig (saxophone and a resident of Stonehouse), Joe Gacioch (guitar), J.R. Erb (bass) and Mike Sheppard (drums).


- Art Show featuring incredible paintings using various mediums including oil, watercolor, pencil and pottery from local artists.


- “Plein-Air” art competition featuring paintings made over the last few weeks of the spectacular natural areas within Stonehouse including Richardson’s Mill Pond, Ware Creek, the York River and Frances Swamp.

- Food and drinks by Williamsburg Concessions and Catering.

We continue to work to bring new single-family lots and homes to both Preservation and Mill Pond. We hope to be able to announce the start of construction on new neighborhoods in the very near future. In the meantime, Stonehouse Glen, Preservation’s first neighborhood has beautiful properties available for your friends and family to consider today. Please visit www.ryanhomes.com for more information.

Please continue to visit our website for updates about the exciting news coming out of the Stonehouse community.

Sincerely,

Tom Page
Project General Manager

Spring 2010

The warm temperatures and dry days of early spring have been a welcome sight by all involved with the construction of our newest, and Preservation’s first amenity, Laurel Grove Park. Henderson Inc., our general contractor, continues to push to complete the amenity by Memorial Day weekend. The clubhouse interior was not affected by the harsh weather from the last several months and is ahead of schedule. Trimwork is almost complete and final painting will begin within the next few weeks. While there is still a lot of work that needs to be done, if the great weather continues, Henderson Inc. has indicated that the amenity will be ready for residents to enjoy on Memorial Day weekend.

As a reminder to all of our golf aficionados, Traditional Golf Properties has added Brickshireto the 4-course membership package that includes Stonehouse Golf Club. Members can also take advantage of reciprocal privileges at 6 private and semi-private facilities located in Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. Read Brickshire’s brochure or visit www.traditionalclubs.com.

We are excited to announce that Stonehouse will be featured in the May issue of Where to Retire magazine. We’ll be sure to post the story on the website once it has been published. We continue to work on engineering plan approvals for large single family lots on the golf course in Mill Pond and single family lots in Preservation. We hope to be able to announce the start of construction on one or both neighborhoods in the very near future.

In the Stonehouse Commerce Park, both AVID Medical and Nicewood Industries have completed the expansions of their facilities.

Finally, we have begun initial planning of the first of what we hope will become an annual fall event in Stonehouse to celebrate art, music and the natural environment. Register to receive the summer developer’s update for more information about upcoming events and activities in the community.

Sincerely,

Tom Page
Project General Manager

September

In September, we were recognized by the James City County Citizens Coalition (J4Cs) for our environmental efforts. On Thursday, September 24, the J4Cs presented GS Virginia with a Certificate of Appreciation for being the first developer to incorporate the J4C environmental inventory into its planning and development phases.

We strive to make Stonehouse a community that blends with its natural surroundings. The J4Cs shared this vision, and provided tools to assist us in achieving this goal. During the conceptual planning stage, we conducted the J4C environmental inventory to assess the natural resources we would need to take into account before designing the master plan. The evaluation gave us a better understanding of the land’s pre-existing resources, like natural waterways, wetlands, protected plant and animal species and historic archaeological sites. Based on the data gathered from the environmental inventory, we developed a master plan that minimizes its impact on the natural resources by incorporating them into the overall design. We would like to thank the J4Cs and in particular, Sarah Kadec, for their continued involvement in the development of Stonehouse.

We continue to make progress on the construction of Preservation’s first amenity, Laurel Grove Park. The Clubhouse’s foundation is now complete, and work on the swimming pool has commenced.

Thank you for your interest in the Stonehouse community. Please continue to visit our website and register to receive up-to-date information.

Sincerely,
Tom Page
Project General Manager