Benn's Grant


Benn’s Grant is a mixed-use development in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. The development is located in the unincorporated town of Benns Church, and the first residents moved in during the Spring of 2016. The plan for the development is for 560 residential units, of commercial space including box superstores, a 100-room hotel, strip malls, and office parks.

Residential

East West Communities partnered with Ryan Homes to develop the residential portion of Benn's Grant. Ryan Homes at Benn's Grant was designed as a luxury, resort-style community. The community currently includes a pool, playground, clubhouse, and walking trails. Ryan Homes at Benn's Grant was the number one best selling new home community of 2016 in Hampton Roads.

History

In the spring of 2007, Wal-Mart franchise partnered with the developer Armada Hoffler to comprise the initial plans for the Benn’s Grant community to be put on a piece of land at the intersection of 3 main highways of Isle of Wight County. These plans were proposed to the Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors in the fall of 2007, followed by much petitioning, deliberation, and protests. With much opposition from the Board of Supervisors and the residents of Smithfield and Windsor (Citizens Against Benn’s Grant obtained over 2000 residents’ signatures, the steps leading to the approval of the development were set back. The progress of Benn’s Grant had reached a standstill and Wal-Mart did not pursue Isle of Wight County development for while, instead building 2 big box stores within 20 minutes of the desired Benn’s Grant location.
After being held up for almost a decade by an economic slowdown and community opposition, the model homes opened in December 2015 and the first residents moved in shortly thereafter.