Azurest South
No coordinates published for this listing.
Why it's listed
Azurest South is a compact International Style house beside the Virginia State University campus in Ettrick, Chesterfield County. Amaza Lee Meredith, an art teacher who founded the university's Fine Arts Department and one of the nation's few black female architects, designed it as her own residence in 1938. Contractor Russell Holmes completed it in 1939. Concrete block covered in white stucco forms its flat-roofed, asymmetrical massing, with curved corners marked by bands of glass block and no applied ornament. Turquoise trim, known locally as Azurest blue, sets off the exterior and sits in a landscaped grassy dell. Inside, Meredith used vivid colors, patterned tile, carrara glass and inventive lighting. She lived there with her companion, Dr. Edna Meade Colson, and used the house as a design studio, adding a studio and carport in the 1950s. The house is valued as a rare Virginia example of the style and as a work of African-American design.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is one of Virginia's few mature examples of the International Style and was among the most advanced residential designs in the state in its day. It is also a landmark of African-American material culture, designed by one of the nation's few black female architects. Its restrained exterior contrasts with a colorful, personalized interior.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF). NRHP reference 100011351. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2900 Boisseau St., Petersburg |
|---|---|
| County | Chesterfield County |
| Listed | — |
| Reference number | 100011351 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1938-1943 |
| Architect / builder | Meredith, Amaza Lee; Holmes, Russell (contractor) |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement: International Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 13, 2024 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as unoccupied for nearly a decade but in good condition without significant alteration; historic function was a single dwelling and current function is listed as a clubhouse. |
| Acreage | 2 |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 100011351.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives)
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.