Those driving down the stretch of Route 17 in Suffolk known as Bridge Road are tempted to slow down when they cross over Bennett's Creek.  The waterway and the landscape surrounding it is so scenically ideal that one's initial impulse is to tap the brakes and momentarily drink in the sight.

The creek- broad and deep enough to accommodate any size boat- gently winds its way through lush farmland to the south, passing century-old farmhouses atop green hills. Old-growth trees stand like silent sentinels along the shoreline, while tall grasses growing in the shallows serve as resting places for waterfowl. To the north, Bennett's Creek broadens, flowing past a beautiful marina and several more plantation homes, until opening up into the James River and the Chesapeake Bay beyond. Surely one of the most scenic locations in Hampton Roads, Bennett's Creek seems to invite one to retreat from the rush of daily life, to connect with nature and Virginia's nautical heritage.

Something new is coming to Bennett's Creek- a waterfront community and a way of life that is perfectly suited for this idyllic spot. Aptly named The Retreat at Bennett's Creek, it is the latest development from WeldenField & Rowe Custom Homes.

Over the past several years, Weldenfield & Rowe have built beautiful communities throughout Hampton Roads- some with direct access to some of the region's most picturesque waterways, and all designed for residents interested in leading  an active lifestyle, without the demands of yard and maintenance work.  Similarly, The Retreat at Bennett's Creek will be a true resort-style community that will take full advantage of its beautiful waterfront location.

"The Retreat will be a condominium community," Realtor Cindy Godsell explains. "We offer ten different designs of condos, all with garages, many with porches- including screened-in porches. The size of the condos will range from 1,850 to nearly 3,000 square feet. Some of the units will be directly on the water; others will offer great views of the creek. WeldenField & Rowe Custom Homes is doing an outstanding job making sure that The Retreat at Bennett's Creek is a premier community, especially with all of the outdoor amenities they are building there.

The most impressive of these amenities will be the large pavilion built directly over Bennett's Creek, complete with boat slips and adjoining canoe and kayak storage.

The broad decks on all sides of the pavilion will be furnished with tables and Adirondack chairs- perfect for settling into with a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening while taking in the sights and sounds of the creek. The pavilion's spacious interior, furnished with comfortable wicker sofa and chairs, will also be an inviting space to congregate with friends and neighbors- and because it is screened-in, the natural wonders of Bennett's Creek remain in full view.

"The pavilion at The Retreat will be modeled after the one at Riverview at The Preserve- Weldenfield and Rowe's development on the Intracoastal Waterway in south Chesapeake," Cindy explains. "Riverview residents rave about their pavilion. It's is the central gathering spot for the entire community. On weekends and evenings when the weather is nice, it's not unusual for impromptu parties and we are convinced that the same will be true for the pavilion at The Retreat."

At any time, Retreat residents will be able to stroll to the pavilion, slip their kayak into the water and set sail down Bennett's Creek or out into the James River. Those with larger vessels docked at the pier can easily sail across the James to Hampton or Newport News, or they can steer eastward toward the Elizabeth River, docking at downtown Norfolk's Waterside or Olde Towne Portsmouth's Portside.

Among the other outdoor amenities available to all Retreat residents will be a pergola with picnic tables, lit walkways and fire pits complete with outdoor seating. There will be a Bocce Ball court where neighbors can gather for a relaxing game, and there will be a large fenced dog park where The Retreat's furry, four-legged residents can socialize and play. All of the outdoor living features have been carefully planned with the idea of building a comfortable, worry-free environment in which the residents and their guests can enjoy the beauties of life on Bennett's Creek.

"There will also be a fabulous resort-style clubhouse complete with a pool, a gym, a party kitchen and several party rooms," Cindy says with a smile. When people come and see The Retreat's clubhouse, we think they will be very impressed. I'm convinced that residents are going to spend a lot of time there. The clubhouse will be the indoor social hub of the community."

Brian Rowe, Builder with WeldenField & Rowe, is very proud of the thoughtful care that is going into The Retreat at Bennett's Creek

"We took a lot of time with preplanning, so The Retreat will have many amenities," he explains. "We have put a lot of effort into making sure elements conducive to an active lifestyle are built into the fabric of this community. Sometimes when you develop these ideas and dream up the different details, you wonder if those things will help people make a buying decision. What I've realized in talking to a lot of clients at our other communities is that they are in fact noticing these special details. They appreciate the unique things that we've added- things that we thought were important, but that we weren't sure would necessarily catch people's eyes."

Cindy whole-heartedly agrees with Brian, adding: "The quality of work and care that WeldenField & Rowe Custom Homes put into this development is remarkable. For them, it is not about building as many homes as they can on a piece of property. They genuinely care about the home buyers and are very in tune with what they want and need. We sincerely want to help buyers make their new space something they can be proud of. The buyer is getting an incredible lifestyle along with incredible value."

"I'm a Realtor and I've been selling homes for many years," she continues, "and we always hope that what we're selling will turn out really nice. And that's one thing about working with Weldenfield and Rowe, I've just been so proud of every neighborhood I've been able to sell for them. Everything has always been so beautifully done, and the customer service after the fact- after the closing occurs- there's never been a warranty issue that the builder hasn't stepped up to the plate and taken care of. Their customer service has been outstanding."

Cindy notes that Weldenfield & Rowe's other successes include The Retreat at Greenbrier, The Retreat at Kemps River and Riverview at The Preserve in Chesapeake. Extremely popular with buyers since opening, home sales have been very brisk. Cindy credits those sales not only to the location and superior construction of the homes themselves but also to the lifestyle and the strong sense of community found in each location.

"The Retreat at Bennett's Creek will be very appealing to folks who love the outdoors and want maintenance-free living," Cindy explains. "One of the best things about life at The Retreat is that residents will not be responsible for any lawn care, painting, or roofing. When they're at home, they can just relax and enjoy the waterfront lifestyle. Who wouldn't find that appealing?

"We think we are going to attract empty nesters who are looking to downsize, but who still want an active lifestyle that's maintenance-free. But we also think The Retreat will appeal to young professionals. They want an active lifestyle and access to the waterfront without the hassle of yard work or upkeep. It goes without saying that The Retreat is a dream come true for boat owners, with its access to Bennett's Creek, the James River, and the Chesapeake Bay. With hospitals and medical facilities nearby in the downtown and Habourview areas, we think we'll also draw those who are working in the healthcare industry. The Retreat will also be a draw for those in the military who want to live in a setting unique to coastal Virginia while they're stationed here."

As peacefully scenic as life on Bennett's Creek is, the area is also centrally located to the rest of Hampton Roads. The shopping centers, restaurants, movie theaters, banks and medical facilities of Harbourview are quite literally a five-minute drive away- as is highway I-664 with its direct connection to the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel and the rest of Hampton Roads' freeway system. In a mere 15-minute drive, Retreat residents will be able to reach the downtown areas of either Newport News, Portsmouth, Norfolk or Suffolk.

Despite such easy access to the rest of Hampton Roads, those calling The Retreat at Bennett's Creek home will, more likely than not, be in no hurry to leave. Their attitude may be like that of Dave Edgerton. Two years ago, Dave and his wife, Lynn, bought a home at another Weldenfield & Rowe community- Riverview at The Preserve.

"We know people who have river homes up in Matthews County," Dave says, "but we have a river home right here in the heart of Hampton Roads. I tell my friends- really, I tell anyone who will listen to me- that I don't need to go on vacation because living here, I always feel like I'm already on vacation."