Near West End

[I miss RVA]

13 hours ago, wrldcoupe4 said:

A “cynical” view would be that developers play the NIMBY crowd by initially proposing something bigger than they really planned so that it appears as a compromise when the developer lowers their density to accommodate the “concerns of the community.” 

I can see that happening, actually! 

[Icetera]

14 hours ago, wrldcoupe4 said:

A “cynical” view would be that developers play the NIMBY crowd by initially proposing something bigger than they really planned so that it appears as a compromise when the developer lowers their density to accommodate the “concerns of the community.” 

I would absolutely do that as a developer here.

[wrldcoupe4]

It happens all the time.

[I miss RVA]

3 hours ago, wrldcoupe4 said:

It happens all the time.

Not surprising.

[DowntownCoruscant]

I think Michael Scott was onto something with negotiation: “It that’s your second offer, I don’t even want to hear your first offer.”

[blopp1234]

https://richmondbizsense.com/2022/07/07/developer-carves-out-site-for-seven-story-apartment-building-near-kinsale-hq/
 

Good to see development pushing further west into the Westwood area.

[I miss RVA]

11 hours ago, blopp1234 said:

https://richmondbizsense.com/2022/07/07/developer-carves-out-site-for-seven-story-apartment-building-near-kinsale-hq/
 

Good to see development pushing further west into the Westwood area.

This is quite significant, because momentum is REALLY beginning to built in Westwood. This is the fourth major apartment project set to rise in relatively close proximity in Westwood over the next couple of years, totaling just shy of 1,100 units. Even through Westwood lacks the cohesive street grid of Scott's and these four developments are somewhat spread out (as opposed to being just a couple of blocks from each other, as is the case of several developments in Scott's), the BIG uptick in density for this neighborhood - and the transformative effect that these projects will have on Westwood, can't be overstated. This is a GREAT start to transforming Westwood into a burgeoning high-density urban neigborhood right on the border of the city. Perhaps one day a street extension and bridge connection Scott's and Westwood will become a reality.

What's happening in Westwood is really good to see -- and I hope and pray this is only the beginning. Given the proximity to densely developed Libbie Mill and the powerhouse that is Scott's Addition, the potential synergy between these three neighborhoods is off the scale.  

Here's a quick look at how Westwood is changing: (renderings are in matching order of the projects listed)

1.)  Fulton Hill - Thalbro and Westmoreland - 7 stories, 253 apartments

2.)  Spy Rock - Dabney Road near Topgolf - 5 stories, 254 apartments

3.)  Alliance Residential Co - 4400 W. Broad (former Motley's Auction site); 4 and 5 stories - 340 apartments

4.)  Staples Mill (Joe Marchetti) - Staples Mill Road just south of Bethlehem Road - 10 stories, 240 apartments

 

 

Edited July 7, 2022 by I miss RVA

[rjp212]

Multi-family rezoning for the Budget Rental at 4204 W Broad St.   100+ Units.

https://energov.richmondgov.com/EnerGov_Prod/selfservice#/plan/6fb7d2c8-b1d9-4bd9-ab46-b085886d8179?tab=attachments

[I miss RVA]

5 minutes ago, rjp212 said:

Multi-family rezoning for the Budget Rental at 4204 W Broad St.   100+ Units.

https://energov.richmondgov.com/EnerGov_Prod/selfservice#/plan/6fb7d2c8-b1d9-4bd9-ab46-b085886d8179?tab=attachments

North side of Broad - two blocks east of one of the projects (Alliance Rental developer) that we know about already at 4400 W. Broad. Has anyone heard any rumblings about who/what specifically this project is? It's in the city limits - of course if it's big enough, it could do the some in the city, some in the county thing that the development at 4400 W. Broad is going to do. This whole stretch of Broad is zoned TOD-1, too. 

Given how Westwood is getting ready to detonate with development - and the fact that the city upzoned the entirety of W. Broad from I-195 to Staples Mill to TOD-1, I have a feeling this whole stretch of Broad Street is about ready to realllllllllllllllllllllllllly start popping. Watch for apartment buildings to start sprouting like mushrooms after a summer thunderstorm along this stretch, particularly on the Westwood side of Broad.

Edited July 14, 2022 by I miss RVA

[Icetera]

21 minutes ago, rjp212 said:

Multi-family rezoning for the Budget Rental at 4204 W Broad St.   100+ Units.

https://energov.richmondgov.com/EnerGov_Prod/selfservice#/plan/6fb7d2c8-b1d9-4bd9-ab46-b085886d8179?tab=attachments

Using the Tidewater again as reference, this is looking to be 12 floors given the lot size.  Someone is looking at that TOD zoning

[eandslee]

1 hour ago, Icetera said:

Using the Tidewater again as reference, this is looking to be 12 floors given the lot size.  Someone is looking at that TOD zoning

Nice!  This will be one of the first, if not THE first, 12 story building west of I-195 taking advantage of that TOD zoning as you mentioned.  

[I miss RVA]

It could have some size to it. It's a fairly small lot - and the paperwork filed with the city calls for "100+ units."

Friends and neighbors, this one could actually get interesting because this parcel has a pretty small footprint, all things considered. Even still - I'd advise caution that we not get our hopes up too high. "100+ units" could mean 110. The Tidewater is 221 and it's six stories. We could still see something in the 6 or 7 story range here - so while I want to see some height - I'm not holding my breath just yet. But I do think it will be a fairly sizeable development, even if it doesn't hit double-digits in height.

 

[ancientcarpenter]

19 hours ago, I miss RVA said:

It could have some size to it. It's a fairly small lot - and the paperwork filed with the city calls for "100+ units."

Friends and neighbors, this one could actually get interesting because this parcel has a pretty small footprint, all things considered. Even still - I'd advise caution that we not get our hopes up too high. "100+ units" could mean 110. The Tidewater is 221 and it's six stories. We could still see something in the 6 or 7 story range here - so while I want to see some height - I'm not holding my breath just yet. But I do think it will be a fairly sizeable development, even if it doesn't hit double-digits in height.

 

 

I'm just very happy this area is getting more action. Much needed and much desired! Great location.

[Wahoo 07]

https://richmondbizsense.com/2022/07/21/3-5m-land-deal-sets-stage-for-libbie-avenue-condos/

Another nice infill project on Libbie.  I love how Libbie between Grove and Patterson is taking on a more "midtown" feel.  It's one of the few places in the West End where one can walk to restaurants and other businesses.  

[eandslee]

1 hour ago, Wahoo 07 said:

https://richmondbizsense.com/2022/07/21/3-5m-land-deal-sets-stage-for-libbie-avenue-condos/

Another nice infill project on Libbie.  I love how Libbie between Grove and Patterson is taking on a more "midtown" feel.  It's one of the few places in the West End where one can walk to restaurants and other businesses.  

The folks in that area still have a problem with height though, as I recall. I’m not suggesting something that’s 30 stories tall, but I think that area could do okay with 10-15 story residence towers or something mixed use. 

[I miss RVA]

1 hour ago, eandslee said:

The folks in that area still have a problem with height though, as I recall. I’m not suggesting something that’s 30 stories tall, but I think that area could do okay with 10-15 story residence towers or something mixed use. 

Obviously, I'd love to see some height introduced into Westhampton as well - but it might be a step whose stride is a little TOO large RIGHT NOW. Down the road, if this part of the city continues densifying, I could see it. Much as I love and want height everywhere, this is one of those cases where I totally understand the need to "stair-step" the level of development. Meaning, pushback against height makes more sense in this part of town at this particular time than it would in, say, Scott's Addition or Manchester - where pushback against height would be, IMNSHO, little more than ego-driven, insane NIMBYism for the sake of "just because". (Witness the tom-foolery of the various Fan District neighborhood associations over the TOD-1 vs B4 zoning for W. Broad... I STILL can't eyeroll or faceplant hard enough over that.)

[blopp1234]

New 7 story apartment building proposed along broad near Willow Lawn. 
https://richmondbizsense.com/2022/08/03/7-story-apartment-project-to-replace-aging-office-buildings-east-of-willow-lawn/

[123fakestreet]

28 minutes ago, blopp1234 said:

New 7 story apartment building proposed along broad near Willow Lawn. 
https://richmondbizsense.com/2022/08/03/7-story-apartment-project-to-replace-aging-office-buildings-east-of-willow-lawn/

This is some great height and infill on what's a bit of a dead stretch of Broad between the new UMFS apts and Willow Lawn.

[Flood Zone]

That is perhaps the most no-brainer pocket to be developed in the Willow Lawn area, or maybe anywhere in Richmond. Meaning no offense to Computer World or the Professional Bartender Academy (which might not even be there anymore), that building hasn't seen significant action in well over a decade and the one-way alley behind it gets more traffic, from people wanting a quick cutover to Westmoreland, than the building itself. Also, I'm fine with not going 12 floors; it's so close to a wide swath of single-family homes that anything above the 7 reportedly planned would probably be disruptive.

[wrldcoupe4]

Agreed. The existing building is essentially obsolete. This is reasonable density in this location.

[ancientcarpenter]

47 minutes ago, wrldcoupe4 said:

Agreed. The existing building is essentially obsolete. This is reasonable density in this location.

Really hope that Ford dealership would sell. That is a massive footprint across the street from this development.

[Shakman]

With rental availability low, I say build all 12-floors.

Edited August 3, 2022 by Shakman

[Brent114]

I love the idea of this part of town building up.  I do wish that this building could remain and the new building could go elsewhere, at least until more of the strip fills in (then rebuild on this site).

The height is good and it will make the area look more built up but I hate that it’s basically replacing the existing building while leaving so many other blocks that need the attention (I understand that the property owners of this existing site are driving this, meaning the other blocks are completely irrelevant to this development). 
 

I hate when towns have all of their buildings built around the same time.  I like the texture that older buildings bring and the evidence that a particular town has been relevant throughout the decades, not just recently.   This is a good-looking enough building that could ground a bunch of new development around it (think of how the old office building at the Willow Lawn shopping center gives that section of the “mall” a town feel). 

All that said, I love this for the Richmond and look forward to seeing height in this area.  It’s long overdue. 
 

[I miss RVA]

Hopefully the first of many dominoes to fall in this part of the city. This section of the Near West End has a TON of potential. If this can serve as a catalyst for more development, I'll be very interested to see what the NWE looks like in 5-10 years.

A couple of other points: this is the first large-scale development to rise on the south side of Broad in the TOD-1 zoned area, and this stretch of Broad heading east is on the verge of really popping with new development. Recall that two large-scale developments, including one quite nearby (at 4400 W. Broad) are slated to rise on the Westwood side of Broad - and there are a few other very large developments in the pipeline for a few blocks north in Westwood. Wow - this entire "greater Westwood/Near West End" area is getting ready to explode with construction. I can't wait to see it all come to pass!

Edited August 3, 2022 by I miss RVA

[whw53]

yea -  I agree with @Brent114. Good to see new development south side of Broad but jeez - at the expense of the one building that espoused some attempt at urban form is unfortunate when there is so much to improve upon in this corridor. . The façade is quirky and has some mid-century character  to it - i would love to know more about it's history. 1960's?  - in a time when  strip centers and suburban subdivisions were in full force one developer\architect decided to give the ol sidewalk retail  and office one last  try. So i always appreciated that early counter-vision for an otherwise auto-centric West Broad. I don't really know the history of this building but it would make good material for an Edwin Slipek commentary.

Edited August 3, 2022 by whw53