Current Projects
Old and Historic Broad Street
For years, this strip of Broad Street was one of Downtown’s major retail areas with so many furniture stores that some called it “furniture row.” Today, many of the buildings are once again filled with furniture — that is out of the showroom and into the living room of hundreds of “living above the store” lofts. The neighborhood is filled with an eclectic mix of designers, actors, musicians and artists.
A number of creative businesses, from radical to traditional, saw the potential of this architecturally significant stretch of Broad years ago. Sound of Music, an internationally recognized recording studio with clients from around the globe, has called the neighborhood home for nearly a decade. Nationally recognized Theatre IV is located in the historic Empire Theatre and produces a number of annual family oriented plays. Metro Sound Music Store has also been a mainstay and even attracts a few celebrity customers like Richard Gere and Little Feat. Several years ago, a couple of musicians opened Comfort restaurant, which was an immediate favorite. More restaurants have recently opened, Popkins, Tarrants, 27, and Lift Coffee Shop.
In the ’90s, the visual arts started moving into the neighborhood. 1708 Gallery and Art Space were the pioneers and started having openings on the first Friday of each month. Today, more than 15 art galleries are located in seven blocks of Broad Street. The tradition of the Friday gallery opening has greatly expanded into the First Fridays ArtWalk. It’s a scene, an arts happening, organized monthly by Curated Culture and enjoyed by thousands. First Fridays ArtWalk truly livens up the neighborhood attracting art lovers of all ages and sidewalk performers ranging from the hula hoop brigade to flame throwers and musicians.
In 2006 a few knitters, who love Broad Street, knitted a sweater for a tree outside of Quirk, which organized the project. Quirk is a funky, fluid exhibition space, located in the middle of the district, and is really synonymous with the vibe of the neighborhood. The Old and Historic Broad Street District is simply buzzing with quirkiness.
Popkins Tavern
Formerly a furniture store, the Popkins building is now catering to a different kind of clients — the hungry ones. Recently renovated to the tune of $3.5 million, the building now houses Popkins Tavern on the ground floor and 18 luxury apartments above. Steve Soble, the project’s developer and restaurant owner, says that the development will help to rejuvenate the downtown area. “Adaptive reuse of older buildings is exciting,” he comments. “The project is breathing new life into an architecturally significant area of Richmond.” Property located at 121 W. Broad St.
Broad Street Way
Renovation of several buildings on the block of West Broad Street bound by Foushee and Adams streets. 103 apartments above the store; 27 restaurant; street-level commercial space available. “We’re pretty excited about what’s happening down here,” says Ron Hunt, owner of Genesis Properties. Taking a peek at his newest project, it’s not hard to see why. The 103 renovated apartments and five commercial retail spaces that comprise Broad Street Way should bring both jobs and attention to the up-and-coming area. “This is a location that we feel has tremendous potential … everything’s starting to move over that way.” Developed by Genesis Properties.
Canvas
Renovation: 9,000 total square foot facility with a café on the first floor, restaurant and lounge on the second floor; meeting rooms and private event space on the third floor and monthly rotating art exhibits featuring primarily local artists. Buildings have been gutted and late 2008 completion is expected. 306 and 308 E. Broad Prodigy Partnership, LLC.
Schwarzchild Building
Renovation and conversation to eight apartments and street-level commercial space.