Does anyone know what the back story is?
I know what all the long time people here in Loudoun told me it floods like crazy. It is beautiful though, my realtor took us out to look over the summer, but it was way more than I wanted and then she said, well it has a tendency to flood anyway. :eek: Thanks for telling us before.
The sale is related to the closing of the estate of the late owner. It is a lovely property and I hope it remains in horse friendly hands post auction. The KFEC staff have done a great job in creating a friendly venue for shows and clinics. I’m going to their Starter HT on Saturday and sincerely hope it will not be the last one I attend there.
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So they are still doing starter HT’s there? I went to a couple of their recognized HT’s before they stopped having them … glad to see that they’re still involved in eventing in some capacity and hopefully still maintaining the XC course. The recognized HTs I went to were fun and friendly.
OMG…Did you wonder, “what isn’t she telling me” at every other house she showed you?
Will they sell the Eagle’s Nest, and the General’s Quarters separately?
Auction just wrapped up. 2.3 million.
My Facebook feed shows chatter but no one knows the name of the buyer. They said it was a foreign gentleman who did not seem to be a horse person, but of course he could just be a representative of the actual buyer.
Any more info? Did anybody attend?
Oh my word! I know that they had a buyer interested but that buyer did not want to pay their price so would be prominent at the auction, hoping to get it for less than the asking price. I just got on this thread so please excuse me if I am repeating or contradicting what has been said previously.
I hope for everyone that the buyer allows it to continue as it is. I love schooling and competing at Kellys Ford!
Yes, and their starter HT are fabulous! The XC is really the level one would expect at recognized.
I have been told that the flooding could be addressed by putting in huge ditches on the north side of the property where it floods the most. One would have to have large ponds and then redirect the water back into the river where it doesn’t go over the banks, if that makes any sense at all.
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The auction was held at noon today, so we’ll have to wait to hear about the new owner and what’s next. Closing must occur within a month.
Here’s the info on who purchased it.
http://www.starexponent.com/news/inn-at-kelly-s-ford-sells-at-auction-for-million/article_7073968d-9d01-5480-916c-14063a5d27db.html
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So a real estate developer from Baltimore purchased the property. The article notes that it will continue to run as it is but I wonder how long that will last?
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It really depends on the zoning and if the county will allow a change. Currently zoned at A-1 so we will see how long until a zoning change is requested. I give it two local election cycles.
and if they can get the flood plane fixed, and they would have the funds to do that, it could end up being something very very different. Maybe they will make lots out of what does perk and make the remainder a high end park available to residents. Who knows.
But I will bet that they didn’t buy it as an equestrian facility.
I doubt you can “fix” a flood plain that is right next to a river. The river is there because it’s a low point, as is the land surrounding it, and water flows down hill. It will always flood. If you are on a hill, you get wind, if you are down the hill, you get water. Pick your poison.
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Per the KFEC staff, the facility will be continuing as a horse facility in the future. The owner had a meeting with the staff and stated as much. While people can change their minds, I am accepting the new owner’s word until something otherwise comes to pass. I certainly will not speculate on what will happen to the property. I consider this a big win for the area horse community.
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I hope this is true, but I’ve never yet met a developer who didn’t look at the most beautiful, pristine parcel of land around and see 500 McMansions.
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Agreed about the developer, but the property does pose some unique challenges to rampant home building, like the flood plain and issues with perking. The gentleman owns a real estate company and this may be a diversification. In any case, the facility is going forward with plans for shows and clinics next years. The boarders are staying. The staff all kept their jobs. The Inn is booking events. I like to see the glass as being half full. I don’t like to speculate in a negative way about the ownership change. I don’t think it is helpful.
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They could easily net out the equestrian facility, and put in lots around it, on the property. Lots of folks like big custom homes in those kinds of communities.
You can’t fix flood plain, or wetlands. The flood plain is part of the FEMA map, and it is what it is. Doubtless, there are wetlands contiguous to this. They are defined by both flora and soil types, and DEP will not allow them to be disturbed, particularly in light of the waterway.
I am relieved that the owners are going to allow the equestrian facility to continue, but I will not fool myself into thinking that this will continue very far into the future. It is disappointing that the buyers are not horse people and are reportedly taking no interest in running the facility. They are developers, with no known involvement in horses, from out of state, and according to what I hear, they will not be residing on the property. Of course they are allowing the equestrian facility to continue for now, as it will take months and perhaps a few years to get development plans together and approved. Allowing it to continue is likely in their financial best interest given that the alternative provides no revenue or tax-break benefit.
As far as retaining the equestrian facility, I am sure the facility will be changed a great deal in order to provide the “atmosphere” most beneficial to the value of the whatever the development might be.
All of this could take a few years so we may as well enjoy Kellys Ford for now!
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Do you know what the original asking price was?
