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A new, old house on the corner

Big house at William Street and College Avenue to be auctioned off next week; a final public tour is set for this Sunday

By RICHARD AMRHINE

Date published: 6/11/2004

By RICHARD AMRHINE Auction nears for home that set town abuzz

AHOUSE SUCH AS this one deserves a name, and it has been dubbed "Rose Hill." Brand-new but built to look old, it is remarkable in many ways, not the least of which is how close it comes to filling its 11,000-square-foot lot.

It's the big, new brick house at 1201 William St., at the corner of College Avenue, built on speculation by Paul Sukalo of Southern Comfort Homes of Spotsylvania County. He planned from the beginning to put the house up for auction once it was completed, and unless he is made an offer he can't refuse in the coming week, the bidding will begin at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 19.

From the day that site work began 15 months ago, and passers-by took note of the posted rendering of the house and its description, the community has taken over the speculating. Will this big addition fit well into the community? Is it really going to fit on that lot? Who is going to buy it and for how much?

The answers, in order, are: It's a matter of opinion; Yes, it fits; and, We'll soon find out.

Sukalo said he was granted a variance by the city to fill so much of the lot. He has so far received three offers for the property, all described only as being in excess of $1 million, but they have not been accepted.

The project has generated so much local interest that Sukalo, in cooperation with auctioneer John Nicholls of Nicholls Auction Co. and agent Judy Johnson of RE/MAX real estate in Fredericksburg, has arranged for public tours of the house. The final one is this Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

To give the house a more finished appearance, Sukalo decided to add furnishings supplied by Simms Furniture in Fredericksburg. The buyer will have the option of keeping the furniture for an additional $60,000, or not.

Many of the contractors and suppliers involved with the project are from the Fredericksburg area and Central Virginia, something Sukalo said he strives for. Visitors who see a feature in the home that they particularly like can pick up the contractor's business card on site. It's a scenario that has no doubt taken place time and again.

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Date published: 6/11/2004