Proposed: The Belvidere

[wrldcoupe4]

Thanks to RyanR for the head's up. The SUP for this project has been approved.

The site is located at Belvidere and W Grace, where the BP gas station is currently located. The redevelopment would include a 6-story 25-unit apartment building with ground floor convenience store serving a rebuilt gas station. The new building will be approximately 85 feet tall.

Drawings from the application:

Designed by BOB Architecture

[burt]

Hmmmm. Seven stories, if you count the small rooftop unit. The building will be across Belvidere from the full block I wish could become the site of VCU's proposed new gallery.

Coupe, is it safe to go to RCW without fear of computer problems?

Edited July 17, 2008 by burt

[Downtowner]

I am so glad to see this becoming closer and closer to reality. I really like this project alot.

[journiyin]

I am so glad to see this becoming closer and closer to reality. I really like this project alot.

Me too. Now if Burts proposal for that surface lot adjacent this one were to get some traction... well then a lot of people would be really interested in that corner...

[Shakman]

It tought the original proposal had less brick but more metal cladding. I like that fact that the proposal is better use for what is currently on the property, but I think the facade could use a little more ooomf rather than brick.

[jbjust]

I wish we could do a similar reuse with that gas station on Cary.

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

Anything new to this project? Or, actually, is this specific corner the site of VCU's new ICA and that's why it got cancelled? Sorry to dig up such a long, lost thread, but the project seemed to get a lot of traction before going off the radar suddenly....

[burt]

Anything new to this project? Or, actually, is this specific corner the site of VCU's new ICA and that's why it got cancelled? Sorry to dig up such a long, lost thread, but the project seemed to get a lot of traction before going off the radar suddenly....

I'm sure plans for this project have been abandoned, although somewhere in the dark reaches of my brain I seem to recall seeing a rendering that looked considerbly better than the ugly brick structure shown in this thread.

It was to have been constructed adjacent to the gas pumps of Uppy's service station on the northwest corner of Belvidere and Grace. And it would not have infringed on the half block facing Broad where VCU's Institute of Contemporary Art will rise.

Edited June 10, 2012 by burt

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

I'm sure plans for this project have been abandoned, although somewhere in the dark reaches of my brain I seem to recall seeing a rendering that looked considerbly better than the ugly brick structure shown in this thread.

It was to have been constructed adjacent to the gas pumps of Uppy's service station on the northwest corner of Belvidere and Grace. And it would not have infringed on the half block facing Broad where VCU's Institute of Contemporary Art will rise.

Would that rendering be this?

Click "enter", then "in the studio" then "belvidere".

[540_804]

The nicer renderings are available on BOB Architecture's website: http://www.bobarchitecture.net/

Go to "In The Studio" and it's the first option.

[TBurban]

Unfortunately, I contacted the firm's website and the developer behind this has moved on to other projects/ventures. What a shame, this would have looked so cool next door to the IOCA.

[burt]

Unfortunately, I contacted the firm's website and the developer behind this has moved on to other projects/ventures. What a shame, this would have looked so cool next door to the IOCA.

Tommy, look!

The Belvidere 's back in the news -- this time, it will be 10 stories instead of 6, if approved.

From today's Richmond biz sense (note comment under the story by a contributor named Jay.)

http://www.richmondb...p-his-building/

[TBurban]

Tommy, look!

The Belvidere 's back in the news -- this time, it will be 10 stories instead of 6, if approved.

From today's Richmond biz sense (note comment under the story by a contributor named Jay.)

http://www.richmondb...p-his-building/

This is great news! That corridor of Broad/Belvidere/Grace is getting dense--and best of all, it's happening quickly. Looking forward to seeing the revised plans. Thanks for the heads up, Burt!

[Richmonopoly]

Great. I have loved this project from the start.

Thanks for the links.

[TBurban]

Looks like we've got some movement on The Belvidere! Complete redesign with new renderings. Looks to be around 15-16 stories. Also mentioned in this BizSense article about VCU purchasing more real estate around the ICA. 

edit: added images.

Edited September 23, 2016 by TBurban

[jbjust]

Whoa!  Don't know what to think about 16 stories in that section of Broad. 

[RiverYuppy]

I think it would be great.  Continue the Broad Street Corridor down from MCV.  The new GRC, Johnson Hall, Rhoads, Brandt, Prestwood apartments, MPT, The Square, and the other VCU building on Grace are all 9-15+ floors tall.  Plus there are multiple tall buildings on Franklin, including the old Double Tree to be renovated.   

The hills make it difficult to see, but there are plenty of buildings in the area that have some height to them.

If this is the apartment building that's supposed to go where the gas station is, it will be great for Monroe Park.  We'll have the park entirely renovated and you'll see tall buildings everywhere you look.  It will be like a mini central park.

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

I know exactly what to think: great let's get moving stat

more development for the development map

more midrises for the midrise district

[drayrichmond]

I like it, I think the modern architecture will compliment the new ICA

Edited September 23, 2016 by drayrichmond

[CitiWalker]

I would agree that a structure such as this would compliment ICA as a needed contemporary urban anchor to the intersection. It is a sort of one-two punch for that major gateway. This is an exciting time for downtown development.

[Marcus Squires]

The new design reminds me of a smaller city hall. I also find it concerning that the parking deck panels are not covering the portion facing the ally, belvedere, and the ICA . 

Edited September 24, 2016 by Marcus Squires

[wrldcoupe4]

The height is fine, but I'm kind of underwhelmed with it to be honest 

[eandslee]

Well, the rendering looks like it was done in Microsoft Paint.  Personally, I would like to see a bit more height and something a more "artistic/creative," but I don't hate this design.  At least it's glass!

[Icetera]

"Breaking: 18-story tower eyed for VCU gas station site; bowling alley included"

http://richmondbizsense.com/2017/06/12/breaking-18-story-tower-eyed-for-vcu-gas-station-site-bowling-alley-included/

"existing zoning and approvals allow for the 18-story tower he plans to start constructing in October – the same month the neighboring ICA is scheduled to open."

http://www.richmond.com/business/local/story-apartment-project-planned-next-to-vcu-s-institute-for/article_00329cf4-8e8c-5047-8e06-e78b0f07301a.html

Edited June 12, 2017 by Icetera

[jbjust]

Interesting that the first BizSense comment was there very quickly and suggested this is just a part of a negotiating ploy to force VCU to pay more for the parcel.