JEFFERSON COMMONS

Jefferson Commons, which won the City of Charlottesville's Outstanding Plan of Development Award in 2008, is a 100-bed student residence located less than fifty meters from the University of Virginia's Central Grounds. The project replaced four nondescript and insular smaller apartment buildings with one large structure that doubles the site's bed count while providing a singular architectural composition. A central stair connects the building to the sidewalk, while a circular courtyard in the rear of the building provides a comfortable outdoor gathering space. Parking is provided below grade or carefully hidden from view.

The building is located in an important historic architectural control district and a designated City Entrance Corridor, and was required to meet strict design guidelines mandated by the City's Board of Architectural Review.