Phillip Merritt recently led the Virginia Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (VA ASLA) on an on-site tour of Clear View, a private residence in the Tuckahoe neighborhood of Henrico County, Virginia. The event gave attendees a firsthand look at how a once-neglected historic property was thoughtfully transformed into a refined private estate through preservation-minded design, skilled craftsmanship, and contemporary landscape architecture.
Clear View is a 5.5-acre estate with deep historical character. When VHB partnered with architect Randy Blankenship to restore the grounds between 2020 and 2023, the team focused on honoring what made the property special while carefully modernizing it for today's use. Originally owned by the Robins family—notable Richmond-area philanthropists and pharmaceutical professionals—the estate was built for grand entertaining, with expansive hardscape features that deteriorated over the decades. After the current owners purchased the property in 2020, their vision became an opportunity to reimagine how the grounds could be organized and experienced.
That vision is reflected in the new brick pathways, renovated pool deck and pool house, and extensive brick privacy walls. At the same time, key historic elements, including the garden tempietto, fountain, and the Robins’ original rose plantings, were preserved to maintain the connection to the property’s past. Phillip led attendees through the full grounds, walking through the design decisions and collaborative process that brought the estate back to life. The tour offered a close look at how VHB balances historical integrity, material authenticity, and modern functionality—the hallmarks of meaningful landscape restoration.
"We loved welcoming fellow landscape architects to walk the grounds with us," said Phillip Merritt, Landscape Architect at VHB. "The tour gave us the chance to share our design decisions and how we integrated preservation, craftsmanship, and the needs of the family today."
Projects like Clear View reflect a broader commitment at VHB to preservation-forward design that respects the past while serving the future. Whether working through historic documentation, planting conservation, or community-centered planning, the team approaches each project with the same care for place and people.
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