Current Projects
Monroe Ward
Monroe Ward is an architectural gem located just east of VCU and generally bound by Belvidere, Broad, 5th and Canal streets.
The Jefferson Hotel is the “grande dame” of the neighborhood and year after year receives a five-star, five-diamond rating from Mobile and AAA respectively. Grandeur wasn’t just an adjective used to describe this neighborhood in the 1800s; it was a way of life. Magnificent old homes with gardens and wrought iron fences lined the streets of Monroe Ward, and most notably along Historic Franklin Street.
Today, many of the historic homes and mansions have been restored and filled with social clubs, businesses, restaurants, shops, galleries and apartments. Linden Row Inn occupies nearly a block of Greek Revival row houses.
There is a unique blend of old and new in the neighborhood, particularly with the expansion of VCU’s Monroe Park Campus and the earlier expansion of Media General and the Richmond Times-Dispatch on the eastern edge. The Richmond Free Press is also located in Monroe Ward in the historic Imperial Tobacco Company Building. In fact, there are a number of communications-related businesses in the neighborhood: printers, publishers, ad agencies, photographers and designers. There are also a number of developers, lawyers, engineers and other professional services in the area. These creative industries are peppered throughout the neighborhood and all within walking distance to their favorite dining spots. The City Library and the Downtown YMCA are also just a walk away.
The interest in revitalizing this neighborhood continues to pick up momentum with several new projects on the drawing board and a few recently completed projects. With all this activity, it's becoming a great neighborhood to live, work, play and walk your dog.
Park Plaza at Belvidere
Renovation: luxury apartments. $15 million, 92 units. Completed in 2006. Located at 515 W. Franklin St.
When it comes to where you live, it all boils down to one thing – location – and if you’re looking for easy interstate access, proximity to state government offices and the ability to use VCU resources at a moment’s notice, there’s no better location than Park Plaza at Belvidere. “We’re in an extremely good location at the entrance to the downtown area, we offer a lot of different types of apartment-style living, and we have a diverse clientele,” states Sandra Winfrey, property manager. “It’s very convenient. You can get anywhere in a short amount of time.”
The Presidential Court Club Condominiums
Historic renovation and conversion to condominium homes. Take two homes dating back to the 1800s, split them into 27 one- and two-bedroom condos, add in a few modern luxuries like an indoor pool, club room, fitness room, roof deck, private entrances and concierge, and you’ve got the newest addition to the downtown scene. “We’re keeping the aesthetics of it being a house plus we’ve added a few things luxury wise,” says Real Estate Agent Ginger Sullivan. “You get the benefits of city living, but you still get more of a homey feel because it is an old house.” Prices starting at $181,260. Located at 212 W. Franklin St. on the corner of Madison and Franklin streets. Completion 2007.
To learn more, visit www.ThePresidentialCourtClub.com.
Two Monroe Ward hotels upgrade
The hotel, located at 301 W. Franklin Street has been upgraded to a Hilton Doubletree Hotel and reopened in spring 2007 after undergoing a $9 million renovation. The hotel located at 201 E. Cary Street, has been upgraded to Holiday Inn Express with a $3 million renovation completed in fall 2007.