The Ritz-carlton Golf Club, Creighton Farms

THE Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Creighton Farms On December 2, 1823, President James Monroe announced to Congress, and to the world, that the Americas would never again be subject to the influence and colonization of European powers, and that the United States would stay neutral in European wars and affairs. Known as the Monroe Doctrine, the landmark policy was drafted at Monroe’s Oak Hill estate, located just 500 yards from the 905-acre Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Creighton Farms. This new golf community is surrounded by American history in northern Virginia’s Loudoun County, about 30 miles west of Washington, D.C., and within mere minutes of the 30 VACATION HOMES II JUNE / July 2008

18th-century towns of Middleburg and Leesburg. Offering 183 estate homes on three- to six-acre lots and 25 one-acre homesites, Creighton Farms aims to focus on responsible development, taking down as few of the site’s trees as possible. The trees that are removed will be milled on site and incorporated into the construction of common buildings and custom homes. “We are very big environmental builders,” says David Fenton, president of the Ritz-Carlton community, which has partnered with Creighton Enterprises for the project. “Less is more to us.” The development’s minimalist approach extends to the crown jewel of Creighton Farms—its Jack

Ground Floor |

Chip Henderson

The Inside Track on the Latest Developments

Nicklaus Signature golf course. Nicklaus, who was involved in the siting and design from the early stages, seamlessly threaded the course through the existing topography. Membership to the golf club, which will be capped at 300, will be open to all residents of the community for an initiation fee of $95,000, and to non-residents at a yet-to-be-determined higher rate. Ritz-Carlton management will provide concierge services to residents of Creighton Farms and will assign advisors to each owner. The advisors will be available to recommend services for moving, landscaping, and event planning, as well as to arrange in-home services, such as spa treat-

ments and dinners prepared by a private chef. The homesites and estate homes at Creighton Farms range from $850,000 to more than $2 million. The community has enlisted several builders to work with owners on the design and construction of their homes, which can be built in one of four styles: English Romantic, American Vernacular, Colonial Revival, or English Manor. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate, George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, and James Madison’s Montpelier estate, all of which are nearby, will no doubt serve as inspiration. [ Oliver Slosser ]

Location Aldie, Virginia main:

The highlight of Creighton Farms

is the new 7,410-yard golf course, which makes use of the property’s stream and ponds as natural water hazards. detail: The clubhouse reflects one of the community’s four architectural styles.

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Creighton Farms, 877.300.3338, www.creightonfarms.com

JUNE / July 2008 II VACATION HOMES 31