The Source for Richmond Architecture and Design Information

Modeling a Vision: Virginia Tech at the Branch Museum

The Department of Architecture at Virginia Tech is amongst the most well known in the country, but it isn’t as well known in Richmond as one might expect. Over the past month, an exhibition at the Branch Museum has helped to change that.  The latest in a series of ambitious shows staged by the museum, …

Current: First Unitarian Universalist Church Wins Award from AIA

Each year, the American Institute of Architects’ Virginia Chapter presents its Test of Time Award to a building between 25 and 50 years old that has served its tenants and the wider community admirably. This year’s winner is the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Richmond’s Carillon District designed by the notable late architect Ulrich Franzen.  …

William Chilton, a Designer of Dominion’s New Downtown HQ, Lectures in Tokyo

    Richmond-based energy giant Dominion is developing a new headquarters in Downtown, scheduled for completion in 2019. New Haven, Connecticut based Pickard Chilton Architects is designing the project, with Kendall/Heaton Associates of Houston as architect of record. On October 26th, William Chilton, a principal at Pickard Chilton, gave a lecture in Tokyo to the …

Opinion: “A Stadium in Shockoe Bottom? No.”

This article addresses the development proposal in Shockoe Bottom unveiled by Mayor Jones in November of last year, which has been headlined by a new baseball stadium. A counter opinion article from Don O’Keefe was posted last week. More information about the Shockoe Bottom plan can be found here:  So the mayor wants to build a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom with …

Current: Northern Grade Market Showcases the Haxall Point Power Plant

Yesterday and Today (September 21st and 22nd), popular Richmond-based online retailer Need Supply Co. is hosting the Richmond iteration of a pop up men’s wear market known as Northern Grade. The event, which started in Minneapolis, focuses on high quality American made goods.  The event is taking place in the Haxall Point Power Plant, a spare …

Mixed Use Mid-Rise on Shafer and Grace Streets

                        August 2014 is expected to bring yet another mid-rise project to Grace Street in the Lower Fan District. The building currently on the site, a one story brick retail structure, will be demolished beginning as early as this month.  The 11 story, 170,000 …

Current: A New Building for McGuire Woods

McGuire Woods, a law firm headquartered in downtown Richmond with 19 offices worldwide, has recently announced a new Headquarters building is to be constructed. The building’s site is a full block south of cary between 8th and 9th streets. It will be somewhere from 15 to 20 stories tall. This block is currently occupied by …

Current: First Freedom Center

A major new development is headed for Richmond in the form of the First Freedom Center and Hotel. The building, which was approved by city council on Monday (the 23rd), will be built on the corner of 14th and Cary Street in Shockoe Slip. This site is now used as surface parking but it was …

Current: Hargreaves Plan for River Development

In mid 2011, the Cambridge office of the internationally renowned firm Hargreaves Associates was awarded a $490,000 commission from the city for a (re)development of Richmond’s Riverfront. The firm has already undertaken successful riverfront plans for cities including San Francisco, Louisville, Houston and others. This month, the final draft of the Riverfront Plan was unveiled. …

Interview: Steven Holl

On April 25, the School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University announced plans for an Institute for Contemporary Art. The new 38,000 square foot building to house the interdisciplinary program will be built at Richmond’s  busiest intersection, Belvidere and Broad streets. The structure will contain gallery spaces, a 247-seat performance space, café, classroom, sculpture …