The Bolling Haxall House

A swanky place with pretty good hors d’oeuvres. The staff was so-​so. Some knew what they were doing when it came to making drinks or distributing plates, others did not. The setting is intimate, kind of small if you have more than I’d say 50 people… can feel a little claustrophobic, especially in the reception area. The ballroom is larger, roomy enough for a 200-​person or so dinner (or wedding reception, which is why I was there), but if you do that you have to remove tables before there is any dance floor room. There’s a nice stage, and I’m not sure if the band was a house band or rented elsewhere specifically for the wedding. Probably the latter. I’m not sure what all this venue gets used for, but seems like a good spot if you want to have a formal get-​together of some kind.

I found out about the Bolling Haxall house while in college studying architectural history at VCU. I later learned it was the family home of my roommate who’s mother was named Mary Haxall. My roomie, who later became on of my best friends first name, was Bolling Haxall but he went by his middle name, Scott.
I don’t know why I am telling you this but I guess I wanted to make sure that people knew I wasn’t just doing random Unilocal reviews and that I am trying to make people stop and take notice of some of the locally and nationally famous architecture our city is known for.
So why is the house famous? Well, it is considered to be one of the finest and best examples of Italianite Architecture left in Richmond.
The house was built in 1858 by Bolling W. Haxall who was one of Richmond’s most wealthy industrialists owning what was then considered the largest flour mill in the world, The Haxall Mills.
Some of the architectural features of the home that make is so impressive are: The elongated cupola, semicircular pediment over the central third story window, and heavy bracketed cornice are all characteristic features for this transitional period in architecture in the mid-​1800s.
Finely detailed cast iron window arches, balcony railings, and an exquisite locally made cast iron property fence-​attributed by some sources to Richmonder George Lownes, others to William Cook is another example of fine Richmond Ironwork.
The two cast iron, horse-​head hitching posts in the front of the house once stood on Capitol Street, where state legislators used them for their horses.
The home, with the addition of an auditorium and second story ballroom to the rear, has been owned and operated by the Women’s Club since it was bought by them in 1900.
A Virginia Historic Landmark, The Bolling Haxall House is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

This is an elegant place to hold events. I’ve been to various events here and the beautiful architecture makes for a lovely backdrop. Inside there’s a spacious ballroom, as well as smaller areas. At one of the most recent events I attended, food and a cocktail hour was held in one of the parlors, then the group moved into the larger ballroom to sit and enjoy a speaker reception.
It’s nice that there are a variety of sized spaces at a variety of prices so you can hold smaller affairs as well as big ones. There are different prices for non-​members and businesses and Woman’s Club members and nonprofits. There’s also a list of approved caterers that includes most of the better known companies in the area such as Mosaic, A Sharper Palate, Catering by Jill and even Chez Foushee.
Definitely a cool venue!