With the arrival of a new University president, UVA began its first comprehensive renovation of the president’s house and grounds since its original construction in 1909. This led to the master plan and garden renovation for the 5 acre residence of the president of the University of Virginia.

Within the central Grounds of the University, the hilltop site overlooks the historic Rotunda and backs up to vibrant student areas including the arts precinct and fraternity housing. Drawing from the relationship between the pavilion gardens and faculty residences on the Lawn, the master plan design provides a more clearly defined public/private house precinct as well as a private family lawn and garden. A restored terrace from the initial Stanford White design that had been removed overlooks a new raised formal lawn while additional precincts were constructed for larger events and family areas. The plans also provide clearer circulation routes for students crossing the property as well as a garden circuit path for visitors, linking the central grounds gardens to the Architecture School landscape.