Kevin Ash brings fine Italian dining, a private social club and a renewed sense of gathering to the heart of Hunt Country

By Valerie Cury

Middleburg has always possessed a certain magic. Its historic buildings, picturesque streets, equestrian traditions and surrounding countryside give the town a character that is unmistakably its own. Now, a new chapter is taking shape along West Washington Street, one that promises to add something special to the town’s already rich social and cultural life.

Developer Kevin Ash, whose beautifully appointed Hotel Burg and private Chase Club have brought a new hospitality experience to downtown Leesburg, is bringing that same attention to detail, historic preservation and gracious entertaining to Middleburg.

At 115 West Washington Street, the former home of the Fun Shop is being transformed into an inviting collection of spaces where residents and visitors can dine, work, socialize and enjoy the pleasures of Hunt Country living.

At the heart of the project is the Chase Club, a private membership club designed to offer something increasingly treasured in today’s busy world: a welcoming place to gather, enjoy meaningful experiences and build lasting friendships.

And while the Middleburg location is preparing for its opening, membership applications are already being accepted.

For Ash, the project is about much more than restoring a building or opening another restaurant. It reflects a longstanding passion for breathing new life into historic properties while creating places that become part of the communities they serve.

“I just have a passion for historic revitalization,” Ash said during an interview with the Blue Ridge Leader.

His affection for Middleburg goes back more than three decades. He lived in the town from 1994 to 1996 and renovated two homes there, his first independent restoration projects.

Now, he is returning with a considerably larger vision, one that respects Middleburg’s historic charm while introducing new opportunities for dining, entertainment and social connection.

Imagine beginning the morning with coffee in a beautifully appointed, comfortable setting, spending a few productive hours in a private workspace, meeting friends for lunch and returning another evening for an intimate wine tasting or dinner with a celebrated chef.

That is the kind of experience Ash envisions for Chase Club members.

The Middleburg club will occupy approximately 2,500 square feet on the second floor, with well designed coworking areas, boardrooms, private offices and inviting places to relax or entertain.

Members will also enjoy a rooftop deck overlooking Middleburg’s Main Street, an especially appealing vantage point for watching the town’s celebrated parades or simply enjoying an evening outdoors.

A self-service coffee area will provide refreshments throughout the workday, while a self-service wine bar will open at 5 p.m., offering an opportunity to unwind as the day gives way to evening.

But the club’s greatest attraction may be its calendar of experiences.

Ash said the Chase Club offers approximately 70 events annually, bringing members together for private dinners, wine tastings, author appearances, networking gatherings and other thoughtfully planned occasions.

Recently, acclaimed chef Patrick O’Connell of the Inn at Little Washington visited the Leesburg club for a fireside conversation, book signing and private dinner for approximately 50 members.

Other offerings include visits from winemakers, special dinners with guest chefs, book signings and winter trivia evenings in the club’s intimate speakeasy.

“We’re cultivating and curating cool events,” Ash said.

And members are free to make the experience their own.

Some come regularly to work or socialize. Others attend a favorite event once a month or visit occasionally for a special dinner, a wine tasting or an evening with friends.

The club also offers wine lockers and a wine club within the larger membership, adding another dimension for those who enjoy discovering and sharing exceptional wines.

For parents whose children attend nearby Hill School, the Middleburg location offers a particularly convenient opportunity to work, meet colleagues or enjoy a quiet moment between school activities. Ash said the school community has been supportive, with a number of parents already joining.

Membership in Middleburg will also include reciprocal access to the Chase Club in Leesburg, allowing members to enjoy both locations.

The transformation extends well beyond the private club.

On the ground floor, Ash is creating two complementary dining experiences: La Caccia, an Italian restaurant whose name translates to “the hunt,” and L’Enoteca, a more intimate cafe and wine bar.

La Caccia will feature approximately 60 seats, an elegant bar and a dedicated pasta room where fresh pasta will be made throughout the day.

The restaurant’s cuisine will be overseen by Chef Vincent Badiee, a Middleburg resident who also leads the kitchen at The Huntōn in Leesburg’s Hotel Burg.

For Ash and his wife, Remington, creating an authentic Italian dining experience is a personal passion. Having lived in Italy while growing up, Remington brings a discerning appreciation for the country’s culinary traditions, particularly the art of making fresh pasta.

She and Kevin have been working closely with Chef Badiee to perfect the menu, paying attention to even the smallest details. As Kevin recalled with a smile, Remington has been especially particular about the pasta, insisting that it be rolled thinner and thinner until it achieves the delicate texture she remembers from Italy.

It is that kind of personal attention, from the preparation of fresh pasta to the atmosphere in which it is enjoyed, that Ash believes will make La Caccia a memorable dining destination.

L’Enoteca, with approximately 30 seats, will offer a more casual atmosphere during the day, serving coffee, lunch and convenient grab-and-go selections.

In the evening, the two dining spaces will operate together, offering the same dinner menu.

An outdoor patio and private dining accommodations will provide additional opportunities for leisurely meals and special gatherings.

And for those who appreciate a little mystery with their evening, Middleburg will have its own speakeasy.

Ash is deliberately keeping some of its details under wraps, preferring that guests discover the atmosphere for themselves.

He describes it as similar in spirit to the speakeasy at Hotel Burg, but with its own distinctive personality.

It promises to be another intimate setting for conversation and memorable evenings in the heart of town.

Ash’s Middleburg venture follows the opening of Hotel Burg in downtown Leesburg, a boutique hotel that has quickly attracted attention for its design, hospitality and dining.

Hotel Burg recently received a coveted Michelin Key, a distinction recognizing exceptional hotels for their quality, character, design and guest experience.

The honor came within approximately a year of the hotel’s opening, an achievement that reflects the attention Ash and his team have devoted to the property.

Hotel Burg’s restaurants, The Huntōn and The Diana Lounge, along with the Chase Club, have helped establish the property as a destination for both overnight visitors and local residents.

That experience is now informing the Middleburg project, although Ash is careful to give each property its own identity.

His approach is not to reproduce the same design from town to town, but to create places that belong naturally within their historic surroundings.

The Middleburg development will unfold in two phases.

The first includes the restaurants, Chase Club and three residential apartments.

A second phase, planned for the corner of Federal Street and The Plains Road, will introduce additional residential and retail space.

Ash is working with the town on plans for approximately six to 10 condominiums, primarily two-bedroom residences, with at least four expected to offer elevator access and single-level living.

The concept addresses a growing need among residents who wish to downsize without leaving the communities they love.

Ash has observed that many longtime residents of western Loudoun want to exchange the responsibilities of maintaining a large property for a more manageable home but have few opportunities to remain in the historic towns and neighborhoods they cherish.

The proposed residences would offer an alternative, combining comfortable living with the convenience of walking to shops, restaurants and community activities.

Meanwhile, Ash is preparing another ambitious restoration in nearby Warrenton.

He recently acquired the historic Warren Green building at 10 Hotel Street from Fauquier County, with plans to return the former hotel to its original hospitality use.

The property, which served as a hotel beginning in the 19th century before becoming a county government building, is planned to include a hotel, restaurant and another Chase Club location.

Together, the projects will establish a network of hospitality and social destinations connecting Leesburg, Middleburg and Warrenton, each reflecting the distinctive character of its community.

For now, Ash’s immediate focus is on welcoming Middleburg’s first Chase Club members.

A soft opening is anticipated in December, with the restaurants and club expected to be fully operational in January.

In the meantime, prospective members need not wait.

Membership applications are open, and weekly construction tours are being offered so interested residents can see the evolving spaces and learn more about the club.

Lisa Walker, the club’s director, is coordinating the tours and assisting prospective members.

For Ash, the attraction of the Chase Club is not simply its surroundings, its dining or its calendar of special events. It is the opportunity to create a place that people genuinely enjoy returning to, whether for business, friendship, celebration or an ordinary afternoon made a little more memorable.

In a town where history is treasured and community traditions run deep, that vision feels particularly fitting.

Middleburg’s charm has never depended solely on its beautiful buildings or celebrated countryside. It is also found in the people who gather there, the friendships that endure and the experiences that become cherished memories.

Kevin Ash’s newest venture will add another welcoming place for those moments to unfold.

The Chase Club is now accepting membership applications for its Middleburg location at 115 West Washington Street. Prospective members can learn more, apply for membership and inquire about tours at www.thechaseclub.com. Membership provides reciprocal access to the Leesburg and Middleburg clubs.