City to review plans for 13 story building at foot of Libby Hill
New hi-rise apartments proposed for Tobacco row.
The approximately 190 foot, 13 story building wouldn’t impact the view of the famous James river-bend as previous efforts but will still require a special use permit.
The 65-unit building, known as The James at River Bend, would be located at East Cary and Pear streets below Libby Hill Park. The parcel at 2801 E. Main St. currently holds a vacant service station.
The proposed tower would be much taller than everything around it. In the developer’s view, that’s part of the appeal.
“The end of Cary Street doesn’t call for just another average building of average height and average appearance,” developer David White wrote to city officials. “It calls for a bold statement.”
Two pieces of legislation to allow the development to move forward — a special-use permit and the closure of a portion of right of way — were introduced at Monday’s City Council meeting. The proposal is scheduled to go to the Planning Commission on April 21.
Image: RTD
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Richard Hayes
When Richard isn’t rounding up neighborhood news, he’s likely watching soccer or chasing down the latest and greatest craft beer.
Notice: Comments that are not conducive to an interesting and thoughtful conversation may be removed at the editor’s discretion.
I can’t in any way see how someone could make the claim that a 16-story building placed between Libby Hill and the river won’t impact the view. A building that tall is completely out of context in that location.
To be clear, proponents of the project are saying that the view of the “river bend” won’t be impacted. Obviously other river views will be impacted by that large of a structure.
Besides its height being way out of proportion with its surroundings, that is just one ugly building. It makes a “bold statement,” alright: “I don’t care one bit about the 19th and early 20th century structures around me.” This thing is the neo-brutalist offspring of some of the 1970s apartment towers in Monroe Ward.
Ah, ok, gotcha. I guess if you don’t look in the direction of the building, it won’t impact your view…
I understand the developer’s point of view that an average building similar to the other ones nearby won’t attract the high-end buyers, but it seems there may be some middle ground between the 4 and 5 story buildings nearby, and a 16 story building.
I think it would be kinda neat. Maybe the architecture could be a little better looking aesthetically, but the density is marvelous.
This city is changing ;)
As 3 yr+ transplants, one of the things we love about RVA is the adaptive reuse of architecture and the historic character of the city. Having experienced other cities that developed very quickly in the 90s and 00s, we know how interchangeable and impersonal architecture can make a city feel lifeless. Develop and grow, sure, but don’t settle for a cookie cutter building that does nothing to build on the RICHness of the city.
Looks nice and that end of town is in need of development. I think it would add another piece to the puzzle linking Tobacco Row with Rockett’s landing. But have no fear, Church Hill has surely caught wind of this and they will be fighting to preserve their view from up on high. After all, we can’t possibly do anything that may inconvenience the nobles.
The river bend is a small part of the view, the real view is the sunset over the city which this building would block. Visit Libby Hill and you will see visitors photographing that view far more than the river bend. It’s all about the sunset!
The reason they are specifying about the river bend view is that it is the historic “view that named Richmond.” The tower will not block it, nor will it block views of the downtown skyline. I think it will greatly improve the view and the surrounding neighborhood. I am in full support.
About the architecture, I don’t think people quite understand what we have here. This is not cookie cutter at all. This is the same project architect who designed the VMFA McGlothlin Wing. If you liked that, and I know I did, how about giving him another chance to drastically improve this city. The site is currently a patch of gravel, after all.
Because what we need is another ridiculous, generic, pointless apartment building. There’s no reason for a “bold statement” other than to say “look, there’s a 16-story building built for no reason at all”.