Wahoo 07

I get what you are saying, but I think that it is better to have several really good projects than one really tall one. The buildings that you mentioned replaced vacant lots or dilapidated structures. Density has increased and the CBD feels far more urban. Visually, a new tallest would be great (and I have not given up hope on one happening in the next five years), but projects on the scale that you mentioned significantly improve the city. If only City Center on Grace could advance...

http://www.richmond.com/entertainment/from-humdrum-to-happening-lonely-planet-names-richmond-a-top/article_aa8b5c87-d56f-56b3-9c4e-f4c6ea6a591e.html Lonely Planet anoints Richmond one of its top ten US destinations for 2018!

https://richmondbizsense.com/2018/02/01/high-line-engineers-join-manchester-bridge-park-project/ Article about the status of the RVA version of the High Line. I like the idea of re-purposing part of the Manchester Bridge. Continuing it across downtown would create a unique urban greenway.

Question for the group -- how high will the parking structure be? Thanks

https://richmondbizsense.com/2018/01/26/c-ville-developer-plans-go-vertical-near-scotts-addition/ Potential new development along the Pulse corridor. Article states that it could goes as high as ten stories. This is another example of how transit fuels development.

https://richmondbizsense.com/2018/01/23/code-named-industrial-deal-play-chesterfield/ Another warehouse development in South Richmond

It would be nice to have the 2nd Street corridor NE of the War Memorial developed though.

Nice bit of infill!

https://richmondbizsense.com/2017/12/22/shuffleboard-bar-sliding-scotts-addition/ New entertainment option coming to Scott's Addition. I hope that this is successful. The one in Brooklyn referenced in the article is a great time and is always crowded.

This is going to be a game changer for the Broad/Hermitage corridor. Hermitage Road has a lot of development potential, especially with regards to the Diamond site's eventual redevelopment. Perhaps everything south of I-64 is fated to be vibrant, highly desirable neighborhoods. I did not realize that there would be ten and eight story apartment buildings -- that is a major increase in density. Perhaps, we can attribute some of this to the Pulse's anticipated arrival?

Nice. Thanks for posting this. 321 Locks does not look nearly as bad from this representation; perhaps there is still hope that it will not be the eyesore I fear that it will be.

https://richmondbizsense.com/2017/12/12/rocketts-landing-developer-joins-effort-urbanize-innsbrook/ New direction for Innsbrook. Curious to see how that part of Richmond changes.

https://richmondbizsense.com/2017/12/05/black-sheep-runs-course-carver-owner-plans-fan-concept/ Black Sheep is closing. Too bad -- I really enjoyed this place. Great sandwiches

Seems line an obvious decision to me, so perhaps I am missing something. Something like that would look great in Monroe Ward too.

We may have to agree to disagree. As one living in New York, it is not the daily routine that is terribly different, it is what you get to do with your free time that is. Millions of people come here for the experiences that are available to residents every day. My life here is markedly different from my life almost everywhere else that I have lived. This has something to do with my neighborhood, but has far more to do with the city as a whole.

https://richmondbizsense.com/2017/12/04/riverfront-office-site-mix-rocketts-landing/ More Rockett's development

Nice! Thanks for posting these

While I agree with your sentiment about the Commonwealth, there is something to be said about living some place that other people seek out for their vacations.

Architectural review I would think. Has the city issued a building permit yet?

Maybe it is my optimistic nature getting the better of me, but I can see city council compelling a redesign of the facade.

With regards to the new Hyatt, that was my thought as well. I suspect that, without a hotel component, going too vertical here was too risky financially for WVS. Whatever happens to the site, there needs to be a strong, conspicuous pedestrian link from the CBD to the canal on 10th Street. Another quibble with the rendering: it shows the project keeping the diagonal parking on Byrd street. Those spaces should go and the sidewalk extended outwards. It could create a pleasant, pedestrian friendly promenade that provides another connection between neighborhoods. Lining it with trees would help buffer the view and sound of the interstate too. Not a big thing, but it would be an improvement.

Regrettably, I agree. It should be noted that many European cities lack substantial height but offer a compact, cosmopolitan, human-scaled, urban experience. Perhaps this is Richmond's destiny. This will be an improvement over the status quo, but that feels a like a consolation prize. Hopefully, this is just a starting point and WVS will adjust their plans. This is a key parcel and a major gateway to the canal/riverfront. Richard Souter is correct when he states that this will increase the vitality of the Canal Walk. However, that is no excuse for a rather banal box. What goes here matters.

While I have no idea if including residential in this is the right move, it is my hope that the area becomes a twenty-four hour neighborhood. The neighborhood around the Verizon Center, Penn Quarter, is teeming with energy and includes a decent amount of residential despite being an office-centric area. I realize that comparing the Verizon Center to whatever Richmond builds is not an "apples-to-apples" comparison, but the goal should be to emulate the DC experience as much as possible in this regard. There are real barriers between this area and Jackson Ward that will be difficult to overcome and the point raised about a lack of services is valid. For that to change, the new residential units would need to number in the thousands, not hundreds. Either way, it is still an exciting development and will give us plenty to discuss in the new year.

I really hope that this is either a west coast or Europe flight. New destinations are always good and I won't complain about a new carrier serving RIC, but it isn't as exciting as opening up a new region or country.

I am glad to read that the RFP states that the capacity has to be at least 17,500 in one configuration. It is nice to see a proposal in which Richmond acts like the "big town" for the region. While I am hoping for a greater capacity, 17,500 would significantly upgrade the caliber of the events that Richmond can host.