georgeglass

I can't recall what project this is, but I noticed it from 195 the other day and had the time today to go up close. It's just the parking deck going up now, but assuming this is apartments. I didn't see where anyone has posted pics of this yet. If so, forgive me for repeating. Anyway this is on Dabney close to the intersection with W. Clay.

For what it's worth my husband is now flying every 2 weeks from RIC to Hartford on Breeze. He flies up Monday evening and flies home Friday morning and will be doing that for the next 2 years at least. He was working on the VCU Children's Hospital here and now on a Children's Hospital project in Hartford. He said the planes he has been on have been mostly full. I do think he said his last flight home was a Breeze thru that was going to Phoenix I think he said.

I'm glad we ended up postponing. I wouldn't have been able to make it. I ended up running the 10k, then had to check on a friend's pets, go to a bday in Church Hill, then dinner with another group of friends. Looking forward to the rescheduled date!

Driving by Soda Flats today....

I was happy to see this today, but I am still surprised there was so much opposition. On one hand, I would expect it in certain places but not in this spot. If you live in a dense urban city neighborhood, you should expect this type of business and understand that a lot of the people who have chosen to live in the area have done so because of the convenience of having a mixed use neighborhood. If you don't like that aspect, then move to the burbs!

Not sure if y'all had seen this article. I am also a realtor and focus a lot of attention on the city itself as a fellow resident and cheerleader. https://www.washingtonian.com/2023/02/14/is-richmond-turning-into-the-new-bedroom-community-for-dc-workers/ I had seen the Axios article also and I am not sure how accurate a depiction that is as far as the numbers of people going to specific localities....but the counties are cheaper and have more developable area and inventory so some of it can probably be attributed to where people can get into easiest and learn about a place until they find exactly what they want down the road. From my experience with recent clients...one couple chose to move to RVA from Raleigh because they just didn't like it and felt like RVA had more an actual city vibe with the intown neighborhoods etc. One of them has lived in NC their entire lives and the other person had grown up in Madison VA. They rented for a year until they bought in Church Hill. One of the other couples I worked with chose to move here from Columbia SC. They were both life long SC residents and just didn't like the political climate and liked what VA and RVA specifically offered in terms of diversity and culture and chose here over Charlotte and Raleigh among other places. They also rented until they ended buying in Ginter Park. These are just examples I have personally, but I do think people are starting to take notice. Still though, when I travel it's amazing to me how so many people have never been here and don't know what to associate with it other than the Civil War and they can't even get a mental image. We are woefully under marketed. Places like Greenville SC are probably as much or more recognizable than we are because they do a better job with marketing...which should not be the case given we are a larger city. As a side note, our office hosted a finance manager recently and he said he has investors and developers from places like Boston that are just waiting for RVA to get some big corporate relo or development...they see the value and they think it's coming. Who knows what the future will hold, but it does feel like if we play the right cards RVA's potential could finally be realized. Anyway, I'm an optimist...so I hope that's the case.

Personally, I don't mind that it's a contrast. I kind of hate when something new tries to imitate older buildings because they typically end up looking like cheaper versions. I just don't see the value in that. I am definitely not in favor of razing older buildings and would like to see more restored, but new / modern and old / historic can coexist nicely.

Not sure if anyone has posted this, but Hourigan has their wrapping installed on the fencing at the silos now.

Thanks, glad you liked em! Now that the temps are up a bit, I'll try and be more consistent.

Since it was such a beautiful day, I was able to get out and snap a few photos... 1. The Eddy 2. MacRae and Lacy has started the next set of townhomes next to Legend. 3. Same as #2 4. The silos fencing 5. Riverside Cycling has set up shop in "The Witch" building. I am happy a business is there, but I am a little disappointed that the plan that's on Nahum's site is apparently not happening. 6. New spa coming to the South Falls retail space on the canal. 7. River and skyline shot 8. Kayakers 9. The Commodore from near Legends 10. Kayaker 11. A block of townhomes being built off Bainbridge 12. Danil Kleyman's apartment building is starting next to Dogtown Dance Theater

At this point, I have no conflict. As far as a place to meet, I am flexible. A brewery always works for me

I am not a fan of the design. It definitely feels like a residence hall built on any number of college campuses in the 1970s and 80s. I would still be happy for the density, but wish the building looked better. I know it would be a significant cost increase, but it would have been great to incorporate the facade from Hull St into the new building design IMO.

Has anyone else noticed the new lighting on the Truist building downtown? I couldn't get a pic because I was driving, but I was coming from Rocketts towards town tonight and the southeast corner had two rows of lights at that edge all the way down. It looks really good IMo and I swear I haven't seen it before.

Also done!

Took a nice long walk today and grabbed some pics....some of which overlapped some that were posted today already. Looks like we were at the same place and time Work was ongoing for the Chipotle on Hull Across the street from Chipotle. UrbanCore is the GC on 550 Hull 550 Hull The Box in Manchester The Box in Manchester Blackwood's development across from the Caravati's rehab Blackwood's development across from the Caravati's building rehab The Witch Building out front of The Hydro. Nahum's site has the renderings. Work has started and maybe a foundation will be poured soon for the addition. The Witch Building next to The Hydro Going to complain for a bit.... For all the progress we've made with development in Manchester and the city in general...we do a crap job in terms of beautifying the property. This former plaza wasn't great to begin with ...but what the hell is happening here and what is the plan? This is the gateway to Manchester and it looks like crap and it doesn't have to be that way. Why wouldn't the city have required something better, or is the city responsible for this property? Either way, it's very frustrating to me. That said, we do a good job with murals Not an official mural, and the city will likely waste money soon painting over it, but it's one of my favorite songs. Bakery Lofts site in Shockoe Bakery Lofts site in Shockoe From Mayo Bridge Liked the density here.. Looked cool at this angle in person, but didn't translate as well in the photo Apartments overtop the shuttered BW3's Crane at the Commodore site

I can still link to it if I search for it on the web... https://www.novelscottsaddition.com/

I noticed a couple of other renderings on the Kahler Slater site. I did not see them posted here yet, but forgive me if I missed that. So excited for this. If I had to be nitpicky, then my only thing is that it's another flat roof boxy design overall...but I'll take it.

Has anyone else been watching the Western & Southern Tennis Tournament that takes place in Cincinnati? There have been actual ads running touting their city as a great place to relocate your headquarters. I think it's a great ad and something we should consider as a city and I love they just put it out there plainly stating the objective. Just curious if anyone else has seen it. I tried looking online for it, but wasn't successful.

Taken today from Powhatan Park

Maybe they should approach Michael Hild about taking over the Dogtown Brewery space....

Just wanted to say that I flew Breeze from New Orleans to RIC on Monday and the plane was mostly full. Apparently, this plane was continuing on to Bradley Airport. That said, I think 95 percent of the people on the plane had their destination as Richmond. We were initially on a roundtrip Breeze flight, but they eliminated the Thursday flight out of RIC. Hopefully, this comes back when staffing can get beefed up.

DPR is no longer involved in the block D project. I can't get into all the details, but essentially the developer wanted wood construction to save on costs and DPR doesn't do wood construction.

Just to add to the comments about Breeze... We were scheduled to fly out on Breeze 7/21 to New Orleans and return 7/25. Unfortunately, they cancelled our outbound flight because they are no longer flying on Thursday. Due to plans we already had and being now short notice we had to rebook on Spirit out of BWI. I know it's not Breeze's fault and at least they gave us 2 weeks notice and I was able to get a refund. I really want them to do well, but it's just difficult for all airlines right now. Also, I really really really hate not using RIC

Soda Flats very early construction pic

Construction progress from today on The Box in Manchester.