Retired Altria executive lists Varina estate with 9-acre pond for $4.3 million

One of the priciest residential listings to hit the local real estate market so far this year has come in the form of a 38-acre water-view estate near Sandston.

Listing on May 26 for $4.3 million, the Eberhard Pond Estate includes a 7,300 square foot home and the 9-acre pond of the same name. The property is located at 3535 Meadow Road on the north side of Interstate 64 in eastern Henrico County.

Elaine Eberly with Allegiance Real Estate has the listing. The seller is Anthony Owen, a retiree from Altria who Eberly says is leaving the state.

“With some reservations,” Eberly added. “He loves it so much there.”

The house overlooks Eberhard Pond, which is 9 acres of the 38-acre property.

Owen had the house built in 2004, when he bought the land for $230,000, according to Henrico’s property records. The county valued the improved property at $1 million.

Located about a mile east of the I-295 interchange, the property is anchored by Eberhard Pond, a stocked fishing pond formed by a weir that Eberly says was built in the late 1800s.

The pond is named after Robert Psalter Eberhard, who Eberly says not only built the weir but also served as station master for a nearby station, was postmaster and owner of a country store, and owned and operated a flour mill, parts of which are visible on the property.

“He has a lot of history,” Eberly said.

The house was designed and oriented to take advantage of the water view.

In addition to fishing and boating on the pond, the property includes opportunities for hunting, hiking and wildlife viewing, she said. The largely wooded property includes a shooting range, while grounds closer to the house include a gazebo, patios, verandas, and landscaping.

Designed by local architect Glenn German and built by Avent Homes, the three-level home totals 13,400 square feet of space, 7,300 of that considered living space. It has five bedrooms and 4½ bathrooms and is oriented so every room has a view of the pond, Eberly said.

“They spared no expense in bringing in the best artists,” she said, noting the work of local stonemason Brent Leftwhich. “They went out of their way to make sure it was a home they would enjoy, and they have done that for a number of years.”

The home also includes two stone fireplaces, two laundry rooms, a wet bar with pool table, two and three car garages, and a higher garage to store RVs or boats.

The three-level home was built by Avent Homes and designed by local architect Glenn German.

Eberly said she had received initial inquiries since listing the property just before Memorial Day weekend.

The listing price is one of the highest seen in the Richmond area so far this year. In April, a 12,500 square foot home in Windsor on James in West Henrico hit the market for $4.2 million.

Eberly said the asking price for Eberhard Pond was determined based on conversations with the architect and builder about what it would cost to build the house today, as well as other market considerations and of property.

A gazebo and other amenities add to the grounds of the house

“I’m just trying to find out what the value of the house was in being able to replicate it, in addition to the pond, and it also has several other building sites that have views of the water,” he said. she stated. “It’s comparable to other properties in Virginia and the East Coast that have some of these same amenities.”

Eberly, who was referred to Owen by another client, said she plans to market the list with a focus on executives moving to Richmond. She said the property could also be attractive as an event venue.

“With all the new businesses in the Richmond metro area, I think some executives might fall in love with it,” she said. “Something out of the hustle and bustle of the city where they have their own private oasis which is truly a gem.

“It would also make a fantastic corporate getaway, wedding venue,” she said. “He has so many different opportunities.”