Woods George Apartments Revitalizes Historic Property in Philippi, WV
Woods George Apartments , Courtesy of Ana Lucia Ubalde and Woodlands Development Group
April 2026 — VCDC celebrated the opening of Woods George Apartments in Philippi, West Virginia. Led by Woodlands Development and Lending, the project is transforming a historic downtown building in Philippi from a long period of neglect into high-quality affordable homes with a first-floor storefront. This adaptive reuse effort is bringing new life to a building with deep roots in the community while also helping meet the critical need for rental housing and economic revitalization in Philippi, where poverty remains high.
Early picture of Woods George Building
Constructed in 1901, the Woods George building originally served as a hub for local business activity, housing offices for law practices, the county surveyor, and Citizen National Bank. It was named after owners John Hopkins Woods and William T. George, two prominent lawyers in Philippi. In 1942, the Barbour County Board of Education purchased the building, and portions of the space were later used as auxiliary classrooms for Philippi High School. Today, community members still share fond memories of the Band and Home Economics classes they attended there.
Over time, the Woods George building was purchased by private owners and converted into apartment units. But after more than 35 years of deferred maintenance, repairs, and upkeep, the building that once contributed so much to downtown Philippi had fallen into disrepair. Woodlands Development and Lending purchased the Woods George building with a vision to restore it for new use while preserving its historic character. With support from a $500,000 construction loan from VCDC Community Lenders, Woodlands has been able to restore and enhance the structure in a way that makes the most of the space. The first floor, which will include one commercial space and one ADA-compliant one-bedroom apartment, preserves the original main entryway and staircase. The second floor has been remodeled to include four two-bedroom apartments, two of which offer brand-new decks where residents can enjoy picturesque views of Philippi. The rear of the building offers an ADA accessible entrance, and the building will soon include solar panel installation which will reduce energy utility costs for residents.
These new apartments are designed to be more than just places to live — they are places residents can feel proud to call home. Each apartment offers modern appliances and fixtures, and residents are within walking distance of important amenities and everyday conveniences. The building sits across the street from the Philippi Public Library and just a few doors down from a local grocery store, restaurants, a pharmacy, and hair salons.
This project was made possible through a strong collaborative effort between Woodlands Development and Lending, VCDC, and many community partners and elected officials, including Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Freedom Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, the West Virginia Housing Development Fund, the West Virginia Governor’s Office, and the City of Philippi.
In a press release from Woodlands Development and Lending, Executive Director Dave Clark shared his appreciation for the partnerships that helped bring this project to life.
“We do our best work, and we do our most work when we work hand in hand with community partners,” said Clark.
As Woods George Apartments begins its next chapter, it stands as a reminder that historic spaces can once again serve as anchors for community vibrancy. VCDC is proud to partner in projects that create quality homes, strengthen downtowns, and expand opportunities for residents.
