City Center / Virginia BioTech Park

[Flood Zone]

4 hours ago, ancientcarpenter said:

Well, looks like someone didn't drink their coffee this morning. I should have known that... I worked across the street from it for years. Silly me.

No worries!

You're right about its resemblance, though!

[KJHburg]

On 7/27/2023 at 12:02 AM, I miss RVA said:

Okay folks... I'm not sure how much to read into this, HOWEVER:

Some news coming out of the Tar Heel State: Machete Group, which is one of the heavy hitters as part of Richmond Community Development Partners, is apparently attempting to win a development contract in Cary, N.C. In their pitch, they tout a big project they are working on in Richmond. That big project is, of course, City Center.

Now - while their sale-pitch docs don't specifically state that they have been selected as the developer for City Center (it says they're a finalist), they do show renderings of their Richmond proposals in a manner that COULD lead one to believe that they have won the bid. (PERSONAL NOTE: Recall, RCDP was my "1b" choice, edged out only slightly by Gateway City Center Partners.)

So while this does not in any way confirm any specific claim that this group has won the Richmond bid, it IS very interesting that they're including City Center in their pitch to the Town of Cary as if they are, in fact, going to build City Center.

Below is a NEW -- to my knowledge, never-before seen on RVA/UP -- rendering of Machete's/RCDP's proposal for City Center - and it certainly lends credence as to why this design was Ed Slipek's top choice and my co-favorite proposal.

ALSO - the pitch to the folks in Cary provided some project details that I don't believe were specifically made public here:

• Machete Group is saying this initial section of City Center would be built in three phases, beginning in 2025 with anticipated completion in 2031. I'm guessing 2024 would be dedicated to completely clearing out the blocks that are to be redeveloped - and getting rid of the Coliseum.
• They are also touting nearly 900 residential units (875 to be exact), a 500-room convention hotel, 270K of Class A office space and 100K of commercial/retail space, and a 3,500-seat entertainment venue.
• While not specified/detailed, it does appear that at least two (and possibly three) of the four high-rise buildings planned might be in the 30-plus story range.
• Price tag: $901 million.

Again, folks, take all of this with a grain of salt - but Machete Group is touting this as one of their developments in their attempt to win a contract in North Carolina - and if they DON'T yet have the bid for City Center in their pocket, I'm curious to know why they would be touting this project in a manner that COULD lead one to believe that it will, in fact, be built

any updates on this or any word from the city?   the proposal they sent to Cary said their local  Richmond partner was http://www.bankstreetadvisors.com/

 

[I miss RVA]

4 minutes ago, KJHburg said:

any updates on this or any word from the city?   the proposal they sent to Cary said their local  Richmond partner was http://www.bankstreetadvisors.com/

 

Nisht. Not a peep.

[eandslee]

On 7/31/2023 at 9:31 PM, KJHburg said:

any updates on this or any word from the city?   the proposal they sent to Cary said their local  Richmond partner was http://www.bankstreetadvisors.com/

 

It’s appears that they removed the fact that Richmond chose them for the City Center project (unless I’m just missing it). Perhaps they jumped the gun a bit. Hopefully, the City is super close to making a formal announcement - it’s almost mid-August already!  Perhaps RBS is will dig up some more information from the city to induce an announcement!  Go get ‘em RBS!

[I miss RVA]

11 minutes ago, eandslee said:

It’s appears that they removed the fact that Richmond chose them for the City Center project (unless I’m just missing it). Perhaps they jumped the gun a bit. Hopefully, the City is super close to making a formal announcement - it’s almost mid-August already!  Perhaps RBS is will dig up some more information from the city to induce an announcement!  Go get ‘em RBS!

@RVABizSenseMike- realizing you might not be able to comment at this point, but has there been even the slightest ripple of movement to come across your radar screens?

[RVABizSenseMike]

14 hours ago, I miss RVA said:

@RVABizSenseMike- realizing you might not be able to comment at this point, but has there been even the slightest ripple of movement to come across your radar screens?

I haven't personally been on this story but I know my colleagues have been. I don't know much to be honest. I think the city's still in the review process, but that's just my speculating. 

[I miss RVA]

3 hours ago, RVABizSenseMike said:

I haven't personally been on this story but I know my colleagues have been. I don't know much to be honest. I think the city's still in the review process, but that's just my speculating. 

Thanks, Mike! Very good to know. 

[rjp212]

On 9/9/2022 at 3:02 AM, RVA-Is-The-Best said:

Neat, an update on Activation Capital's attempts to build something on one of the largest remaining vacant (surface parking) lots in the BioTech park.

https://richmondbizsense.com/2022/09/09/regional-pharma-partnership-to-get-boost-with-new-labs-in-richmond-chesterfield/

According to the article, 6 stories, 100k sq ft including wet lab space, could break ground this year, finish in 18-24 months. Hope this gets off the ground asap. That lot needs to be filled

Hopefully we see some tasty renderings eventually

Updated renderings from Loopnet.

 

[eandslee]

9 minutes ago, rjp212 said:

Updated renderings from Loopnet.

 

Well, the height got shorter…much shorter and the design is hideous!  Not a “win” here. 

[whw53]

UHHH yea i thought they pulled back because the prior 7 story concept was not a highest and best use of the land or a similar justification - hard to see how a squatter building does that. Or is the site plan using more of the block then previously? Either way , disappointing .

[marinog711]

Is this Short Pump or Stony Point ? Lol

[Brent114]

The design in beautiful, IMO…but yeah, for an office park not downtown. 

[I miss RVA]

Ugh... four stories? There? That's awful.

[eandslee]

The focus here are the two proposals that feature the tallest buildings, specifically, the convention hotel, which is planned to be up to 40-stories tall and stand at 450 feet -  beating the height of the Monroe tower by 1 foot!!  At that elevation, the hotel would seem (or appear) even taller from any direction when traveling on the interstate highways into Richmond!!  
 

Another update included suggests that a developer will not be chosen for this project until this Fall some time.  I’m hoping for the most dense of plans and I LOVE the height of the 40-story tower!!  But watch, Richmond will choose the developer that is planning the shortest of buildings and the plan with the least density. I hope I’m wrong, but this was a very good read this morning and I’m glad that RBS put this back in the front burner:

https://richmondbizsense.com/2023/09/05/30-stories-40-city-center-contenders-push-coliseum-area-to-new-heights/

[blopp1234]

I know @I miss RVA will love to hear this news. 
 

Looks like one of the proposals for the city center redevelopment is proposing a hotel that would rise 40 stories and 450 feet, creating a new tallest building in the city. 
 

https://richmondbizsense.com/2023/09/05/30-stories-40-city-center-contenders-push-coliseum-area-to-new-heights/

[wrldcoupe4]

More renderings here, probably not showing the updated floor counts for the hotel in their proposal.

https://www.hewv.com/knowledge/revitalizing-city-center-richmonds-bold-step-towards-an-urban-innovation-district/

[Flood Zone]

Richmond Community Development Whatevers (the Machete group guy) was my first choice for the Diamond District, and I certainly hope they get this one. Not just the height, but also the out of town vision. If not, I'm guessing they won't bid on whatever project number three ends up being.

[I miss RVA]

Holy moly!!! This could be absolutely AMAZING -- 40 stories - 450 feet.

I did the math - we're looking at floor plates at 11.25 feet, not accounting for any rooftop extras for mechanicals, etc. Now imagine - if they added just five more floors - they could crack 500 feet!! A 45-story hotel would clock in at 506 feet - WELL beyond that of the Monroe building. And that's ACTUAL feet, not CoStar Feet^TM. Now, I wonder how much five additional floors would add to the price tag... 

Either way - just sayin'.

[Downtowner]

20 minutes ago, I miss RVA said:

Holy moly!!! This could be absolutely AMAZING -- 40 stories - 450 feet.

I did the math - we're looking at floor plates at 11.25 feet, not accounting for any rooftop extras for mechanicals, etc. Now imagine - if they added just five more floors - they could crack 500 feet!! A 45-story hotel would clock in at 506 feet - WELL beyond that of the Monroe building. And that's ACTUAL feet, not CoStar Feet^TM. Now, I wonder how much five additional floors would add to the price tag... 

Either way - just sayin'.

Maybe add some residences for five more floors make it a hotel and residences type tower. I think they could push it. 

[I miss RVA]

4 hours ago, blopp1234 said:

I know @I miss RVA will love to hear this news. 
 

!!! You know it!!  

 

[BigBobbyG]

Aw man I want that 40+ tower. I am definitely going to be writing in multiple times to the city council members urging them to pick that one and to push for height and density.

[I miss RVA]

39 minutes ago, BigBobbyG said:

Aw man I want that 40+ tower. I am definitely going to be writing in multiple times to the city council members urging them to pick that one and to push for height and density.

Absolutely!! We should pour in letters to the powers that be.

Does anyone know specifically where to submit public input with the city team(s) that will make the final selection? If so, would it be possible to post it here? We definitely need to write and really push for this group to win the bid.

[Flood Zone]

Try this?

 

[ancientcarpenter]

52 minutes ago, Flood Zone said:

Try this?

 

Just put in my comment. Thanks!

 

I noted high density, entertainment, parks, and bike lanes! Less cars the better!

[I miss RVA]

1 hour ago, Flood Zone said:

Try this?

 

Awesome!! Thanks for finding and posting this.