One of the things that we’ve always loved most about Virginia is the architecture. From graceful old Victorian homes on tree-lined streets to brick bungalows in city neighborhoods to farmhouses set against country landscapes, Virginia is full of beautiful homes and elegant buildings. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have a few that break the norms. These 10 unique houses in Virginia are perfect examples of people who looked at the blueprints just a little differently and came up with timeless creations that demand a second look. They are full of creativity and ingenuity and in some cases, they are simply daydreams come to life.

1. Bull Run Castle (or Miller's Castle), Aldie
Aldie, VA 20105, USA
Leslie Johnston / flickr
They say a man’s home is his castle – but for John Miller, a castle is his home. In 1986 Miller built his very own castle/antique store/bed-and-breakfast combo, what is now called Bull Run Castle or Miller Castle, right off Route 15 in Loudoun County. Miller has since sold the property and it is closed to the public. But that doesn’t mean you can’t look – and lucky for you, it can be seen from the road. Trust us, it may not be Windsor Castle, but it definitely provides a distraction from the afternoon commute.
2. Newport New Middle Ground Lighthouse, Hampton Roads
Middle Ground Lighthouse, Newport News, VA 23607, USA
Larry Myhre / flickr
The oldest example of caisson construction in Virginia, the Newport News Middle Ground Light, one of several beautiful Virginia lighthouses, is also called a "sparkplug lighthouse." It has 5 stories of living space with a working lantern at the top. A private party purchased the light in 2005 and have now restored it into a vacation home. Not a bad place to spend a holiday.
3. The Hollensbury "Spite" House, Old Town Alexandria
Adam Fagen / flickr
Spite House Alexandria, 523 Queen St, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
Patricia Barden / flickr
At only 7 feet wide, about 25 feet deep and featuring approximately 325 square feet over two stories, The Hollensbury "Spite" House was built by John Hollensbury in 1830 to keep horse-drawn wagons and those who were up to no good out of the alley next to his house. The house, now occupied by "actual" residents, has gouges from wagon wheels through the living room and the walls are, in fact, just painted exterior walls from the adjoining houses.
4. The Richmond Dairy Apartments, Richmond
Jim / flickr
The Richmond Dairy, 201 W Marshall St, Richmond, VA 23220, USA
Jim / flickr
Located in the Jackson Ward neighborhood of Richmond, the former Curles Neck Dairy building, featuring 3 giant milk bottles, now houses 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, as well as a few luxury lofts. The building was abandoned in the '80s but thanks to innovative thinkers, became housing in the early 2000s. The perk? Providing landmarks will never be difficult when giving directions to your house!
5. Charles M. Goodman House, Alexandria
Alexandria, VA, USA
Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0] / Wikimedia Commons
What started as a two-story 1870s Victorian-style farmhouse in Alexandria became an avant-garde masterpiece when Charles M. Goodman added his eye-catching addition in 1954. Goodman, a popular D.C. suburbs post-WWII architect, created the addition in the "International Style." Goodman also designed Reagan International Airport, as well as other suburban communities, some of which are on the National Registry.

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6. Evans House, Salem
Salem, VA 24153, USA
Cayce / flickr
Built in 1882, the Evans House in historic Salem (which is also home to the fantastic annual Salem Fair) only has 1-1/2-stories, although it looks much larger. Created in the French Empire style, the home features an "L"-shape and a striking tower-like pavilion. Once of the most unique houses in Virginia, The Evans House was added to the National Register of Historic Places 1972.
7. Swannanoa, Nelson County
Colchicine [Public domain] / Wikimedia Commons
Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
In 1912, Richmond millionaire and philanthropist, James Dooley, built Swannanoa as a summer home. Definitely one of the most historic homes in Virginia, this Italian Renaissance Revival villa was modeled after a building in the Villa Medici, Rome and featured the most lavish, modern fixtures available, such as Georgian marble, gold plumbing fixtures, Tiffany windows (including a 4,000 piece Tiffany stained-glass window made in the likeness of his wife), Sally May Dooley, an elevator, and electricity. The house was only occupied by the Dooleys for a short time before their deaths, where it went on to serve briefly as a country club from 1929-1932. Now the home is privately owned and hosts small group tours, open houses, and weddings.
8. The Wedding Cake House, Martinsville
Universal Pops / flickr
Martinsville, VA 24112, USA
Universal Pops / flickr
G. T. Lester of the Lester Lumber Company in Martinsville, designed and built this unique home in 1918. Commonly known as the "Wedding Cake House" -- one can only assume because of its tiered design -- the house actually falls under the title "Exotic Revival." Whatever you call it, it looks simply delicious. Just looking at it makes you want to find a great place for dessert!
9. Virginia Tech's LumenHAUS, Blacksburg
Ministerio de Fomento / flickr
Blacksburg, VA, USA
lumenhaus Facebook Page
This award-winning "tiny" house features innovative solar panels that charge an array of batteries to power the home's automated shade systems, radiant floors, and LED lighting. With a flexible floor plan, this home maximizes a small space, while minimizing its footprint. Designed by a faculty-student team from the School of Architecture and Design and several College of Engineering departments at Virginia Tech, the house won the International Solar Decathlon in Madrid, Spain, in 2009.
10. Melrose, Fauquier County
Fauquier County, VA, USA
By Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD / Wikimedia Commons
Built c.1853 by Scottish brothers, James and Edward Murray, Melrose "Castle" served as both a Confederate hospital and a Union Army camp during the Civil War. This real-life castle comes complete with a three-story tower, parapets, and a spiral staircase leading to the roof. The home cycled through a number of owners until it went into foreclosure in 2013. Sorry to say for all of you who dream of owning your own castle, you missed your chance when the house sold again later that year – at a discount, no less. When it comes to unique homes for sale in Virginia, we guess that for some people fairytales do come true!

When it comes to privately-owned homes, there is certainly an element of privacy that must be respected. So we can only imagine that there are countless other unique houses in Virginia that we don’t know about, but that are creative works of art in their own right. Maybe you even live in one yourself! Tell us about some of the more, ummmm…”unusual” homes you know of in the comments below!

If you’d like to explore more architectural marvels in Virginia, check out these 16 magnificent structures that would wow anyone!

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More to Explore

Historic Structures Abound in Virginia!

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | October 10, 2022

I'd like to learn about the history in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Williamsburg, Virginia is one of the most historic cities in the entire United States. So much took place here since its first founding that it's almost dizzying to realize how much history it actually holds. If you appreciate beautiful architecture, you'll find literally hundreds of 17th and 18th century buildings, each one offering its own unique glimpse into the people, politics, and social settings of the day.

Where can we find some historic landmarks in Virginia?

Again, Virginia itself holds a great deal of United State history so as you might imagine there is a wealth of interesting, exciting, and educational historic landmarks dotted all over the state.  Among some of the more well-known are Mount Vernon, the former home of President George Washington, just south of Alexandria, the Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond, the White House of the Confederacy, also in Richmond, and the Booker T. Washington Monument in the town of Hardy.

Are there any small towns that are good for a weekend getaway in Virginia?

Absolutely! From big bustling cities to quiet small towns, Virginia offers some really wonderful weekend getaway options. One of them is Abingdon. Founded in 1778, this little enclave is in Southwest Virginia amidst the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. For years it has been ranked as one of the best small towns by numerous A-List publications that have noted it for its wonderful accommodation options, boutique shops, culinary offerings, arts and culture scene, and so much more.

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