Belle Aire facts for kids
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Belle Aire
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Belle Aire built by Benjamin Deyerle in Roanoke, VA around 1849
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | U.S. 11, Roanoke, VA |
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| Area | 8 acres (3.2 ha) |
| Built | 1849 |
| Architect | Deyerle, Benjamin; Sedon, Gustavus |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 75002034 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1975 |
Belle Aire is a beautiful old house, also known as a mansion, located in Roanoke, Virginia. It was built in 1849. This special home is designed in the Greek Revival style. It is so important that it is listed on two major historical registers: the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. These lists help protect important buildings and places.
Belle Aire is found in the Greater Deyerle neighborhood of Roanoke. It sits just south of Brandon Avenue SW. The house was built for Madison and Margeret Pitzer. It overlooked their very large property, which was about 1,600 acres. This land was next to the Roanoke River. Today, the house is still a private home. The area around it now has many modern houses built in the 1970s and 1980s.
Building Belle Aire: A Look Back
Belle Aire was built by Benjamin Deyerle and his carpenter, Gustave A. Sedon. They finished the house in 1849 for the Pitzer family. The design of Belle Aire was inspired by a book. This book, called The Practical House Carpenter, was written by an architect named Asher Benjamin in 1830. It showed how to add Greek Revival details to homes.
Architectural Style and Features
The house has an L-shape and is made of brick. Its corners have special decorations called pilasters. These pilasters look like flat columns and are in the Doric style.
The most famous part of Belle Aire is its front porch, called a portico. This portico has two stories. It features four fluted Doric columns on each level. A "fluted" column has grooves running down its sides.
Over the years, some small changes were made. The original kitchen, which was a separate building, was replaced with an addition to the main house. Also, a side porch was enclosed, meaning it was turned into an indoor room. Other than these changes, Belle Aire looks much like it did in 1850.
Recognizing its Importance
Because of its unique history and architecture, Belle Aire was recognized as a Virginia Historic Landmark in 1966. Later, in 1975, it was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This helps make sure this historic home is preserved for future generations.
