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 neoclassical remnant of Downtown’s industrial past. The building, which sits on the canal at the southern terminus of 12th street, has recently gained exposure for the large collection of murals featured in its open causeway fronting the canal. The market is located in the power plant’s equally expansive interior space. It’s bones bare, the space retains its industrial character and even one of its more photogenic pieces of machinery.
The Haxall Plant is currently for lease and the Northern Grade market raises the question of what could fill it. The neighboring development known as The Locks has just added nearly 200 units to the immediate vicinity of the space as well as a ground floor restaurant and bar. Another restaurant just opened in Vistas on the James, an adjacent 18 floor condominium tower. Hundreds more units have been added within a few blocks in recent years with the development of a new wave of residential projects in the financial district including the First National Bank Building. With increased residential density in the area and retail gaining a foothold, perhaps the time has come for the Haxall Plant to find a permanent tenant.
D.OK.
Photographs by author.
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