Community Raises Concerns Over 210 South King Street Carriage House Demolition

The Leesburg Board of Architectural Review held a work session on September 3, 2025, focusing on the controversial demolition of the carriage house at 210 South King Street. The meeting opened with a discussion about the structural integrity of older buildings in the area, referencing a similar situation involving the Yellow House, which had to be rebuilt due to structural failure.

Suzanne Larkins, a local resident, raised concerns regarding the recent demolition of the carriage house, which she claimed occurred without proper approval. Larkins reported that she contacted the planning department on August 27, 2025, to inquire about the status of the demolition application. She was informed that the town was awaiting an engineering report from the developer, but the building had already been demolished that morning.

Witnesses, including neighbors, provided statements confirming they observed the demolition process, which involved heavy machinery removing the roof before the structure was taken down. Larkins emphasized that the developer had previously removed siding from the carriage house and completed construction on adjacent condominiums without notifying the town of the demolition.

She urged the board to consider the lack of communication from the developer and the implications of demolishing the carriage house without prior approval. Larkins questioned whether the integrity of the carriage house was genuinely in doubt, given the developer's recent construction activities nearby.

The board's discussion highlighted the need for clearer communication and adherence to preservation guidelines in future projects to prevent similar incidents. The meeting concluded with a commitment to review the situation further and determine appropriate next steps regarding the demolition and potential rebuilding of the carriage house.