Dominion Resources: New High-rise Building Planned for Downtown

[eandslee]

So, I just noticed this right now.  What do you think is going on here?  Looks to me like there is some soil sampling going on.  Hmmmm.....

Link: https://public.workzonecam.com/projects/hourigan/dominionworkplace/time-lapse/archive?archiveId=Home

Edited July 26, 2022 by eandslee

[I miss RVA]

13 minutes ago, eandslee said:

So, I just noticed this right now.  What do you think is going on here?  Looks to me like there is some soil sampling going on.  Hmmmm.....

Link: https://public.workzonecam.com/projects/hourigan/dominionworkplace/time-lapse/archive?archiveId=Home

Interesting. 

I'd be curious to know if this block is the single most valuable city block of developable land in all of RVA. (Or at least in downtown). I'm reminded of how where the Gateway Plaza (across 8th Street from this parcel) sat dormant for DECADES, mainly because in order to make it developable, the city needed to reconfigure the streets and redirect traffic flow because of the diagonal southbound cut through to the Manchester Bridge from 8th. Thankfully, once the city did, we see the result - and personally, I absolutely LOVE the Gateway Plaza building. THIS block (site of the old OJRP) is even larger - and could EASILY support more than one tower. I hope and pray that whatever is developed here is not only tall but at least two buildings - and not a pedestal tower surrounded by open space (plaza, green or otherwise). FILL UP THE DAMN BLOCK WITH BUILDINGS!

[Hike]

30 minutes ago, I miss RVA said:

Interesting. 

I'd be curious to know if this block is the single most valuable city block of developable land in all of RVA. (Or at least in downtown). I'm reminded of how where the Gateway Plaza (across 8th Street from this parcel) sat dormant for DECADES, mainly because in order to make it developable, the city needed to reconfigure the streets and redirect traffic flow because of the diagonal southbound cut through to the Manchester Bridge from 8th. Thankfully, once the city did, we see the result - and personally, I absolutely LOVE the Gateway Plaza building. THIS block (site of the old OJRP) is even larger - and could EASILY support more than one tower. I hope and pray that whatever is developed here is not only tall but at least two buildings - and not a pedestal tower surrounded by open space (plaza, green or otherwise). FILL UP THE DAMN BLOCK WITH BUILDINGS!

I’d also like to add to your points that whatever’s built here, please be taller than what was there. The centering of this site, in the overall skyline, is important and if this turns into another short tower(s) like the east neighbor, a chance to impact the skyline could be lost.

[I miss RVA]

8 minutes ago, Hike said:

I’d also like to add to your points that whatever’s built here, please be taller than what was there. The centering of this site, in the overall skyline, is important and if this turns into another short tower(s) like the east neighbor, a chance to impact the skyline could be lost.

AMEN to that! From your keyboard to God's eyes, my friend! 

Edited July 27, 2022 by I miss RVA

[ancientcarpenter]

I highly doubt Dominion, the owner of this land, is going to allow for a tower there to be developed. There's absolutely no chance Dominion is going to be shadowed by another building or even allow half of it to be "covered" / in the way by another building. 

 

It's hopeful thinking but you (Dominion) don't build a signature tower and then have the building next to you to deter the eyesight. Ain't happening, no way... especially when Dominion has 100% say here. 

[Hike]

9 minutes ago, ancientcarpenter said:

I highly doubt Dominion, the owner of this land, is going to allow for a tower there to be developed. There's absolutely no chance Dominion is going to be shadowed by another building or even allow half of it to be "covered" / in the way by another building. 

 

It's hopeful thinking but you (Dominion) don't build a signature tower and then have the building next to you to deter the eyesight. Ain't happening, no way... especially when Dominion has 100% say here. 

I really hope this isn’t Dominion’s  feelings for this location, if they’re that insecure by a building that would be pretty petty of them.

[I miss RVA]

37 minutes ago, ancientcarpenter said:

I highly doubt Dominion, the owner of this land, is going to allow for a tower there to be developed. There's absolutely no chance Dominion is going to be shadowed by another building or even allow half of it to be "covered" / in the way by another building. 

 

It's hopeful thinking but you (Dominion) don't build a signature tower and then have the building next to you to deter the eyesight. Ain't happening, no way... especially when Dominion has 100% say here. 

Even though they're a utility company, wave enough dead Benjamins in front of them for the property, and we'll see what happens. Particularly if somehow they could be talked into partnering with another developer.  Because no matter how deep their pockets may be - money talks, and you know what walks... I'd be willing to bet my last dime that the RFP they've invited was/is to see what they might could get for the land. Believe me, they'll sell if the price is right. They may like their tower, sure enough. But I guarantee you, the two things they want to be bigger than that tower is their bottom line and their profit margin. If they can turn that block for the right-sized dollar, don't think for one second they won't.

Bring some New York money up in here and watch their eyes light up.

Edited July 27, 2022 by I miss RVA

[Hike]

A couple of thoughts.
A. Didn’t realize the camera was still active.

B. Unless there’s some company HQ moving here for office development, which isn’t likely, or less likely anyway, will this be more high rise living for CoStar.

C. Is Dominion still the same company as it was when Tom Farrell was CEO, where they’d have the type of thoughts like described above about not wanting a building to outshine theirs.

 

 

Edited July 27, 2022 by Hike

[wrldcoupe4]

I haven’t heard anything that indicates Dominion is planning to sell it. I had heard  they are reprogramming and an initial phase would not include a tower. Not sure where it will end up though. 

[rjp212]

1 minute ago, wrldcoupe4 said:

I haven’t heard anything that indicates Dominion is planning to sell it. I had heard  they are reprogramming and an initial phase would not include a tower. Not sure where it will end up though. 

This was the latest article.  It's now behind a pay-wall, but they were seeking an RFP.

https://richmondbizsense.com/2022/04/18/dominion-issues-rfp-for-previously-imploded-downtown-site/

[ancientcarpenter]

33 minutes ago, rjp212 said:

This was the latest article.  It's now behind a pay-wall, but they were seeking an RFP.

https://richmondbizsense.com/2022/04/18/dominion-issues-rfp-for-previously-imploded-downtown-site/

Can someone explain to a newbie what RFP means here?

[Hike]

18 minutes ago, ancientcarpenter said:

Can someone explain to a newbie what RFP means here?

just did a quick search, was typing up my concept of what it is but this is better than that! I believe that if the term RFP is being used correctly by BizSense, that implies Dominion is seeking requests for a specific project, which makes me question, do they have a project already in mind, it doesn't seem to mean the lot is for sale.  

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/request-for-proposal.asp

Edited July 27, 2022 by Hike

[wrldcoupe4]

That’s my understanding.. that They have a scope in  mind and were soliciting proposals for building it. 

[I miss RVA]

8 hours ago, wrldcoupe4 said:

I haven’t heard anything that indicates Dominion is planning to sell it. I had heard  they are reprogramming and an initial phase would not include a tower. Not sure where it will end up though. 

As Chef Ramsay says: "Wow... what a shame..."

[Hike]

Jokingly, the RFP were all wondering about comes out and it’s for an honor pay parking lot.

[I miss RVA]

24 minutes ago, Hike said:

Jokingly, the RFP were all wondering about comes out and it’s for an honor pay parking lot.

I was thinking something along those lines! 

[Child2021]

What really needs to go there is a high-rise apartment building that houses 1k+ people, like you see in Nashville, and Raleigh...

[I miss RVA]

4 hours ago, Child2021 said:

What really needs to go there is a high-rise apartment building that houses 1k+ people, like you see in Nashville, and Raleigh...

Fully agreed! I would only add - it needs to be two or three highrise buildings - RVA needs to move away from "pedestal" projects (single building, surrounded by large plazas/open spaces) and concentrate more on packing multiple tall buildings into a given city block. The "old" Financial District along E. Main does this over a handful of blocks. We need to get back to this.

[asies]

I think we will see a mixed-use tower there. The only way a large office tower would go there would be if it was a headquarters or already had secured a significant tenant during the financing phase.  I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a tower that was a mix of apartments and maybe a hotel.

[I miss RVA]

46 minutes ago, asies said:

I think we will see a mixed-use tower there. The only way a large office tower would go there would be if it was a headquarters or already had secured a significant tenant during the financing phase.  I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a tower that was a mix of apartments and maybe a hotel.

That would be ideal, tbh. I would hope for a multi-tower buildout. Again, fill up these blocks with buildings - don't just build a single tower in the middle of a city block and surround it with a concrete plaza or grassy nolls. How about 2 or 3 towers of varying heights - apartment/condo/hotel - maybe a sprinkling of some office space... and LOTS of retail, particularly on the Cary Street side, which would make the most sense at this point.

[wrldcoupe4]

I wouldn’t expect this in the initial plans. 

[I miss RVA]

36 minutes ago, wrldcoupe4 said:

I wouldn’t expect this in the initial plans. 

Quoting Elton John: "It's sad... so sad... it's a sad, sad situation... and it's getting more and more absurd..."

Those are my feelings about this. Really a shame, tbh.

[jbjust]

This is going to be a parking lot for the foreseeable future.  Sorry. 

[I miss RVA]

7 minutes ago, jbjust said:

This is going to be a parking lot for the foreseeable future.  Sorry. 

Unfortunately, you're probably right about that. 

[wrldcoupe4]

I haven’t heard anything that would make me excited about the immediate plans.