Commanding a strategic site overlooking the picturesque village of Flint Hill, this beautifully renovated old Schoolhouse has been transformed into a splendid inn and event center. With a restaurant kitchen, four generous guest suites and almost five acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, this facility has everything an entrepreneur needs to create a fabulous dining, lodging and event destination.
Ornamental gardens, lawns and outdoor spaces enhance the dining and lodging facilities creating an ideal property for receptions, weddings and large outdoor events. The property can easily handle events up to 250 people, making it the largest event facility in the area. The property had been a popular local gathering spot until September 2017, and is now a sought after private event center. It has tremendous untapped potential for an energetic new owner.
The property has a rich history. The building was built in 1910 and for about 50 years it served the community until the County schools were consolidated. At that time it was converted into a private residence for a prominent local family. In 1986 the old school house was renovated and transformed into a restaurant. For the next 22 years it was a popular local gathering place.
In 2011 two local businessmen with a dream of creating a fine country restaurant and inn purchased the property. They hired Ernesto Santalla, a notable Washington DC architect to redesign the restaurant and second floor rooms. The entire structure was updated with modern amenities while preserving its historic charm.
The renovation enhanced energy efficiency and sustainability. Low voltage lighting, water efficient fixtures, low-VOC paint, premium insulation for thermal and acoustic benefits and enhancing the building’s passive heating and cooling features are some of the improvements. Now it has an inviting restaurant and event space with four luxurious suites in an environmentally sound building.
Guests enter a center foyer that is bright and snappy but still retains its historic ambiance. Airy dining rooms, seating a total of 90 guests, flank the entry foyer and a cheerful pub occupies the rear of the building. The pub opens to a large deck so when the weather is nice, guests can spill outdoors to enjoy the gardens, lawns and views.
The upstairs was renovated into four suites with a comfortable common area for guests. In order to provide greater security and convenience for the guests, the suites are accessible through an exterior stairwell so people can come and go when they please. The second floor also includes a comfortable office for the inn manager.
Perhaps the best part of the entire property is the lovely landscaped grounds. A broad front lawn (which can be used for overflow parking during large events) flows in front of the restaurant. The 3.5 acre rear lawn is an ideal environment for outdoor celebrations and events. It can be configured with a number of large tents or left as open festival grounds. A corner of the rear lawn is planted in gardens for restaurant usage and customer enjoyment.
As one of Rappahannock County’s largest commercial spaces, the opportunities of this unique property are almost limitless. There is ample water and sewerage capacity to expand the current business significantly. Weddings, rehearsal dinners corporate parties, festivals and other large outdoor events are obvious extensions of the core business. Catering, wine tasting dinners, cooking classes, intimate indoor parties are opportunities to leverage the fine dining and kitchen facilities. The property includes an old bus barn that could be renovated into a brewery or retail space.
With its close proximity to Washington DC and beautiful scenery, Rappahannock County is flush with tourists throughout the year. There are over a dozen local wineries, two nano breweries and a distillery as well as an abundance of artist studios and galleries. The renowned Inn at Little Washington has helped put Rappahannock County on the map as a fine food and wine destination. Now the County is brimming with farms, specialty food producers and dining destinations.
