VCU Developments

[blake_p]

WTVR has some additional images:

http://wtvr.com/2012/04/25/vcu-reveals-plans-for-new-32-million-art-institute/

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

Well, it's certainly too much excitement for Richmond to contain now.

By the way: I like the delivery date for the building: 2015: Just in time for you-know-what

It is also said in Blake's CBS6 story above that Mr. Holl will be receiving a gold medal for all his work.

[burt]

I'm happy to report that I don't need a pacemaker after yesterday's extensive tests at Lenox Hill Hospital.

I understand there may have been some previews of Holl's design at Meulensteen's Gallery in Chelsea, but tonight is the official unveiling and I'll be there with a friend.

I like what Joseph Seipel, Dean of the School of Arts at VCU said:

The VCU Institute for Commercial Art may boost Richmond to "one of the most cultural cities in America."

[eandslee]

I'm happy to report that I don't need a pacemaker after yesterday's extensive tests at Lenox Hill Hospital.

That's good to hear, Burt - glad you're doing well!

BTW, I love the design - hopefully, it will usher in a "revival" in the way of architecture in Richmond.

[burt]

I'll tell you all about the Steven Holl exhibit at Meulensteen Gallery tomorrow when I'm sober.

Suffice to say, Joan and I had delicious dinners (and drinks) at a great restaurant on 10th Avenue between 23rd and 24th Streets after the event. "Red" was in the name. It was packed and the food was delicious.

If this Holl building is constructed, Richmond will be forever transformed.

[burt]

It was a great evening. The Meulensteen gallery is a sleek series of rooms, and it was packed last night.

I met Mr. Holl and one of his charming associates named Demetria who answered many of my questions.

There is a glass enclosed elevator for the disabled and elderly.

There is a reflecting pool on the Pine Street side, and it may or may not have spouting fountains (that has not yet been decided.)

The performance space seating is steeply raked, and I believe it paralels Belvidere Street on the ground level. The stage has no wings nor curtains, but the first two rows of seats can be removed to expand the performance space. The backstage area behind the rear wall is also the loading dock for the gallery.

There was a slide show with views of galleries and other interior and exterior views. I noted that a large hulk of a building, looking like a box, was depicted on the corner of Grace and Belvidere, but it was probably architectural license and not intended to suggest an actual structure

Enjoy these websites:

http://arts.vcu.edu/...ontemporary-art

http://ica.vcu.edu/

http://www.stevenhol...n&id 123&page 0

Edited April 27, 2012 by burt

[burt]

I wish I could send this one so you could open it, but it just doesn't seem to work.

http://www.stevenhol...ing_4252012.pdf

Here it is spelled out; maybe you can put it together:

http: // www dot stevenholl dot com/ media/ files/ 001/ VCUunveiling _ 4252012 dot pdf

[burt]

After struggling with the above posting, the website opened. Sometimes you can "preview post" and sometimes you can't on this system.

Let's see if this New York Times story comes through.

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/25/vcu-turns-to-steven-holl-architects-for-new-arts-center/

I'm going to try again sending the third website in my long description of last night's opening.

[burt]

This is the website describing last night's affair at Meulensteen Gallery (the 3rd one that wouldn't open above.)

http://www.stevenholl.com/project-detail.php?type+educational&id+123&page+0

Since I'm sometimes unable to preview posts on this UP site, I don't know if this will open. In case it doesn't maybe you can put it together from this:

http:// www dot stevenholl dot com/ project - detail dot php ? type + educational & id + 123 & page + 0

[burt]

The plus signs (+) above should be equals (=). I can't get back in there to edit.

[Icetera]

The plus signs (+) above should be equals (=). I can't get back in there to edit.

http://www.stevenhol...l&id=123&page=0

[joanpone]

All your links worked for me, Burt. And the restaurant we enjoyed was The Red Cat. Kudos to Holl and VCU!

[eandslee]

Thought someone would have posted something on this already, but I guess not unless I missed it. Anyway, looks like at 10-story building will be going up soon near VCU:

http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2012/05/07/college-students-consolidated/

[Shakman]

Wow that is excellent news. Thanks for sharing.

burt -

I am very happy to hear you are doing well.

[TBurban]

That is great news, I wonder how they'll accomodate parking?

[Transit]

Meh. I think ten stories is too much in that area. It's already strapped for parking and there's enough bedrooms in that area between VCU and private developers.

Ground floor retail is a huge plus though.

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

Meh. I think ten stories is too much in that area. It's already strapped for parking and there's enough bedrooms in that area between VCU and private developers.

Ground floor retail is a huge plus though.

I don't understand it still, is it a mixed use building, primarily student housing, retail, offices, residences, what? Yes, they have quite enough student housing now, retail would be desirable, not so sure if offices would want to lease spaces there, probably would look at it as a better RESIDENTIAL OVER RETAIL building. Apartments on top of a couple of Starbucks or Subways or something.... anything works for me, so long as people will make USE of it. (e.x. RAMZ Hall )

[TBurban]

As VCU expands, my only complaint is the lack of hotel rooms on campus. Tons of my friends have relatives coming in from out of town and have nowhere to stay on-campus or within reasonable walking distance to campus. The Doubletree is across Belvidere with the Jefferson Hotel (and while The Jefferson is a beautiful hotel, it's not the most ideal choice financially for just a short weekend visiting your kids in college). Many of them end up down Main Street at the Holiday Inn, or all the way down Broad at the Comfort Inn, Garden Inn, or Marriott.

Ideally, I'd love to see VCU put out a bid for developing one of the few remaining surface lots close to campus. A great spot would be the lot at Harrison and Grace in front of the 500 Academic Centre, or the lot along Pine Street behind the Prestwould Condominuim Building--both are two of the VERY few surface lots large enough left on campus to accomodate a couple-hundred or so room hotel. I'd even advocate for the demolition of the old Franklin Street Gym and replace it with a nice Hampton Inn or Marriott brand (probably one of the most ideal locations due to the proximity to the freshman dorm buildings).

With the addition of the VCU Institute for Contemporary Art, I think that the university will find an increased demand for additional hotel rooms on or closer to campus.

[burt]

Tommy, wouldn't this look neat at Belvidere and Broad across from the new Steven Holl designed art gallery? The top 5 or 6 stories would be hotel rooms.

Eric likes it so much he uses it as his avatar.

But I suspect, if it were ever built, the hotel rooms would be very pricey.

http://baskervill.co.../274-ramz-tower

The Richmond Glass Company at Laurel and West Broad is still shabby but has been slightly improved with a new coat of paint.

And I like the replacement for the demolished commercial building at the western end of the VCU dorms on West Broad at Belvidere. It is 5 (or maybe 6) stories high and looks almost finished.

[TBurban]

Tommy, wouldn't this look neat at Belvidere and Broad across from the new Steven Holl designed art gallery? The top 5 or 6 stories would be hotel rooms.

Eric likes it so much he uses it as his avatar.

But I suspect, if it were ever built, the hotel rooms would be very pricey.

http://baskervill.co.../274-ramz-tower

The Richmond Glass Company at Laurel and West Broad is still shabby but has been slightly improved with a new coat of paint.

And I like the replacement for the demolished commercial building at the western end of the VCU dorms on West Broad at Belvidere. It is 5 (or maybe 6) stories high and looks almost finished.

That would look great! I think we can part with the HESS gas station and the New York Fried Chicken Pizza and Subs that are currently there. I'd also love to see that BP go--I remember there was a proposal floating around to build an apartment building and have the gas station attached...I wonder if that's still out there.

[TBurban]

Here it is:

--> go to "In the Studio" and then "Belvidere"

It says it's going to be under construction Summer 2012, what a great infill project!!

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

In BizSense's weekly Q&A, this week, they interviewed two "developers" who have worked together to develop two of VCU's wildly popular student housing projects: 8 1/2 Canal, which opened last year to major success, and the Collegiate, which is under construction and located directly north of the interstate in downtown.

http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2012/05/14/monday-qa-a-lock-on-every-door-and-a-foosball-table-in-every-lounge/

They discuss possible saturation in projects, different issues, amenities, and many things that students alike enjoy = with living in these developments.

It is hinted that three other projects are in the works.

[burt]

The SAHARA, a restaurant/hookah bar penned in by a new dorm and parking deck on West Grace at Laurel Street, is suing VCU.

From today's Richmond biz sense:

http://www.richmondb...e-nitty-gritty/

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

The SAHARA, a restaurant/hookah bar penned in by a new dorm and parking deck on West Grace at Laurel Street, is suing VCU.

From today's Richmond biz sense:

http://www.richmondb...e-nitty-gritty/

Oh, boy.... I kind of feared this would happen eventually.... I haven't read the article yet, but I can kind of guess what it is about:

Sahara wants to sue VCU for eliminating parking for the place, and making it lose money from customers who thought it was closed during construction, and because VCU dumped trash everywhere on the lot.... am I right?

[540_804]

Not anything particularly new, but Archdaily (one of my favorite architecture sites) has posted an updated article about VCU's Institute for Contemporary Art.

http://www.archdaily.com/241847/update-institute-for-contemporary-art-steven-holl-architects/