What started off as six model homes for sale has since boomed into a sustainable community in the southern area of Virginia Beach. Three of those models are now homes for the first families of Eagle’s Nest, the site of TBA’s second Spring Homearama May 28-June 12.

And more will be arriving as Spring Homearama builders bring another nine homes, seven of which were sold before the builders even broke ground.

Since mid-January, the phones have been ringing off the hook, said site agent John Savino. “Activity is brisk since there is a lot of pent-up demand in the market.

“People are concerned about the interest rates going up in the spring,” Savino continued. “It’s inevitable that it’s going to happen, so they want to lock in that lower rate now.”

He also credits the improvement of the stock market and returning consumer confidence. Interest from neighboring Courthouse Estate residents, many of whom may be looking to upsize their homes, has also helped sales.

“Many of the families in Courthouse Estates are looking to move up,” said Savino. “Their families are growing and they want more room. Eagle’s Nest is that step up they are looking for.” 

Zirpoli noted that more homeowners are putting down 10 to 20 percent on their home purchases – an unusual, but welcome change. To top that off, “the homes that we have taken on contingency have sold pretty fast,” said Savino, “because they are in the $200,000 and $300,000 range, which is selling.” 

Before becoming home to a budding community, the 87 acres were Eagle’s Nest is located was once a sprawling Arabian horse farm owned by boxing legend Mohammad Ali and local developer Eddie Garcia. It has also been home to a reindeer farm.

West Neck Properties Inc. developer Robert Zirpoli jumped at the opportunity to create a community and started to begin planning out Eagle’s Nest. The site will ultimately host a neighborhood of 64 families nestled against 50 acres of conservation area, dedicated to the City of Virginia Beach, the Nature Conservancy and the Homeowners Association. 

The homes

The homes in Eagle’s Nest mark the return to a more traditional Homearama neighborhood, with larger upscale homes and in many cases, swimming pools in the back.  

Eighty percent of the homes in the community will be traditional, two-story brick homes, said Zirpoli. The exteriors are comprised mainly of brick or stone, with some being a combination of stone, brick and cement fiberboard, such as HardiPlank. 

“It’s good to have some color added to the neighborhood,” he continued. “We also offer a cottage-style home that will be sprinkled throughout the community.”

Homes average 3,500 square feet and start from the low $500,000s and $625,000 and up depending on the size and customization. Lot sizes range from a quarter of an acre to more than half an acre, which allows plenty of space for the home and outdoor living areas.

“In this community, the homes are a high quality,” said Zirpoli. “People are getting a lot more bang for their buck than in other areas. You get a mostly brick home with a lot of extras, such as granite countertops and wood floors, that you don’t get in a lot of the other areas.”

Who lives in Eagle’s Nest?

Jogging paths, ponds and lots of trees, plus convenient access to shopping, restaurants, professional services and recreational amenities make life at Eagle’s Nest attractive for those seeking a country lifestyle in the city, according to Savino.

So far, homeowners are couples in their mid-30s to early 40s, young entrepreneurs and military families. With the close proximity of the Virginia Beach courthouse complex, the neighborhood is a desirable location for those working there.

With walking trails already in place along the neighboring lakes, it makes a perfect location for a family to feather its nest.

“(Families) are leaving other developments around here because the houses are 2,000 square feet and now they need 3,000 or 4,000 square feet. So we’ll definitely see lots of children in the development,” Savino said. 

Eagle’s Nest amenities

The location of Eagle’s Nest and its conservation land gives it a rural flavor, but it still comes with a first-class school district as the new Kellam High School nears completion just down the street.

“We’ll definitely have a clubhouse,” said Zirpoli. “We may or may not have a pool. It seems as if everyone is already building a pool in their yards.”

Just down the road from the development is the Signature at West Neck golf course. The Arnold Palmer Signature course features a challenging 7,010-yard, par-72 course with 13 lakes, natural wetlands, beach bunkers and more.

A few more miles away are the booming Landstown Commons shopping areas and the Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach, formerly the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater.