Museum Developments in Richmond

[burt]

A milestone in the construction phase of the Museum of Fine Arts expansion:

From today's inRich, it is an informative read:

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/entertainmen...01-07-0008.html

[Shakman]

The tower crane for the Art Museum expansino has been removed.

[Shakman]

Walked by the Art Museum expansion site. Work on the facade has been on going.

[burt]

2009 will see two major renovations completed in the city. Richmond CenterStage will raise the curtain on its new performing arts complex at 6th and Grace Streets in September of '09, and THE VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS on The Boulevard at Grove Avenue will unveil a massive expansion before Christmas of that year.

For instance, the Museum's American Gallery will double in size. A huge architectural feature will be multi-storied glass panelling along the Boulevard facade.

The green-tierd 600-car parking deck is basically operational, though perhaps not as green as it will be when the surrounding sculptural garden is completed.

It is a good time for the arts in Richmond. Both facilities will be World class and WILL attract many visitors.

Edited June 19, 2008 by burt

[jbjust]

What makes it green-tiered?

[wrldcoupe4]

Won't it be topped off with a sculpture garden feature?

[burt]

Won't it be topped off with a sculpture garden feature?

Yea. The parking deck will be a sort of Hanging Garden of Babylon theme on a very modest scale, if I understand it correctly. Anyway, the tiered garage will have plenty of greenery.

The sculpture garden will take up almost all of the parking lot spaces that are between the Museum, the frame church, the old Daughters of the Confereracy "white house" lookalike and the new parking deck.

[burt]

I'm posting this website again because it is burried somewhere in these pages and some might like to keep current on Virginia Museum of Fine Arts:

http://www.vmfa.state.va.us/expansion.html

[Shakman]

This going to add to the charm of Boulevard as well increase the property values. I had better buy something soon in that area.

Edited June 20, 2008 by Shakman

[burt]

Here's a brief but neat video of progress at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts -- courtesy of inRich:

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-co...07-01-0203.html

[Shakman]

Installation of structural steel is well underway. Framing for some of the curtainwall has also commenced in some areas. I thought I saw some glass as well.

[burt]

VMFA publication wins AAM award. This story from Richmond dot com:

http://www.richmond.com/museums-galleries/25065

[Shakman]

While taking a walk up and down Boulevard yesterday afternoon, I noticed a letter on a door for one of the multi-unit structures. The letter had indicated street and sidewalk improvements are to be coming. This included, but not limited to new street lights, brick pavers acting as crosswalks, crosswalk signals and planting of trees.

Does anyone know of additional information relative to the above? or even have heard of it?

Edited August 5, 2008 by Shakman

[burt]

It looks like Old Jeff and his Confederate brethren have won a skirmish to secure space on Tredegar Street. Will it be placed next to Abe or ( ) in the most inaccessible area of the Civil War Memory Garden.

From today's inRich.

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-co...08-14-0173.html

Edited August 14, 2008 by burt

[wrldcoupe4]

The White House of the Confederacy would've been a much better place for this...

[Shakman]

The White House of the Confederacy would've been a much better place for this...

Is the Confederate White House moving or is it just the museum moving to a different location?

Edited August 14, 2008 by Shakman

[TBurban]

From blake over at RCW:

Style Weekly has news of a new proposal for the First Freedom Center

"Plans call for an exhibit space and a curved monument facing the corner. Literature for the project says the facility will bring together

[wrldcoupe4]

There's a larger version in the physical Style Weekly... it looks like great infill IMO.

[Brent]

Can this be real? Am I dreaming?

[Shakman]

Holly Shmollies!!!

Downtown is rollling.

[wrldcoupe4]

An updated RTD article:

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-co...10-01-0130.html

The Council for America's First Freedom and a local developer want to build two hotels to go with an exhibits and education center on religious freedom at the corner of 14th and Cary streets in Richmond's Shockoe Slip area.

The council hopes to begin construction in 2009 with the buildings to open the following year, said Sharon Durham, the organization's chief financial officer.

The idea is to have a Marriott extended-stay hotel and a Marriott Suites hotel bracketing a First Freedom Center, where the council would have exhibits and education programs about freedom of religion.

Rachel Flynn, the city's community development director, said the proposed project will likely face a review from the Commission of Architectural Review because the site is one of the city's old and historic districts, as well as from the Planning Commission and the City Council. The building would be about three stories along Cary Street, but its rear portion would rise to about nine, she said.

"I think it's a great project," Flynn said. "We're really pleased with the quality that they've presented to date. It's a great use. It would really tie into the [area's] restaurants."

It sounds like an awesome project.... and should create quite a focal point at 14th and Cary. I can't wait to see that eyesore lot go away.

Edited October 1, 2008 by wrldcoupe4

[jbjust]

Okay, now we really have to do something to develop the pedestrian connection between the Slip and the Bottom. Nobody from out of town would ever venture either under the railroad tracks or past the strip club to walk between the two.

[burt]

Would it mean the demolition of existing buildings along East Cary, such as City Dogs? The existing plot doesn't look large enough to accommodate two hotels plus exhibits and education center.

[wrldcoupe4]

No existing buildings along Cary would be removed. Judging from the larger rendering in the paper version of Style, it appears that the facade of the standalone building on 14th near Cary will be preserved as well.

If the two brands of Marriot are say, Courtyard and Residence Inn, Courtyard's range from 80-120 suites. I'm not sure about Residence Inn, but their location in the near West End has 80 suites.

They are working with approx. 0.6 acres... by closing Virginia Street they'll gain a bit more. A tight fit to be sure but if they can make it work it would be a great infill project.

Edited October 1, 2008 by wrldcoupe4

[burt]

No existing buildings along Cary would be removed. Judging from the larger rendering in the paper version of Style, it appears that the facade of the standalone building on 14th near Cary will be preserved as well.

If the two brands of Marriot are say, Courtyard and Residence Inn, Courtyard's range from 80-120 suites. I'm not sure about Residence Inn, but their location in the near West End has 80 suites.

They are working with approx. 0.6 acres... by closing Virginia Street they'll gain a bit more. A tight fit to be sure but if they can make it work it would be a great infill project.

How will the parking situation be handled? Will any piece of the tallest structure front on Main Street?

Maybe these questions are addressed in the Style Weekly story which I have not yet read.