Edison Apartments was built in 1913 as Virginia Railway and Power Company Office Building. It’s also been known as Virginia Electric & Power Building, VEPCO Building, and Railway and Power Building. The high-rise was converted to residential use in 2013/2014 as the 700 Centre Building and combined with the adjacent modern low-rise structure. Soon after, […]
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Egyptian Building is one of Richmond’s architectural treasures. Architecture Richmond says it best: “It’s facade is not merely an Egyptian entry sutured onto a neoclassic building but rather a complete Egyptian expression. Its obelisk gate, battered walls, papyrus columns, monumental windowless surfaces, and harsh contrast between shadow and highlight create a convincing Egyptian effect.” Name:
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Railroad Branch YMCA was built by the railroads, next to the Main Street Station, to give railroad workers a wholesome alternative to the flop houses and bordellos of what was then a red light district. It has been converted to a pub/restaurant (City Bar & Chop House) and apartments (Railroad-Y Lofts). Name: Railroad Branch YMCA
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First National Bank Building was Richmond’s first high-rise building, according to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Surprisingly (to me, at least), this 1913 landmark was built as a bank but commissioned by a railroad, Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company. The massive brick-and-stone building is an example how architects originally envisioned high-rise buildings – as
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American Tobacco Company built this Colonial Revival-style research lab in 1939; additions were made in 1955 and 1992. Name: American Tobacco Company Location: 400 Richmond Highway Year Completed: 1939 Architect: Francisco and Jacobus Style: Colonial Revival Virginia Department of Historic Resources: American Tobacco Company South Richmond Complex HD National Register of Historic Places: Registration Form
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530 East Main Street, aka Eskimo Pie Building, Atlantic Life Insurance Company Building, and Chamber of Commerce Building, is scarred from cornice repairs that destroyed distinctive terra cotta ornamentation. The building is part of the Fifth and Main Historic District. Name: 530 East Main Street, aka Atlantic Life Insurance Company Building, Eskimo Building, Eskimo Pie
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Black members of the multiracial First Baptist Church congregation purchased the existing (1802) church after white members built their own church on 12th Street, a block away. The black congregation added “African” to the church name. When the black congregation built a new church in 1876, it was patterned after the 12th Street church. Neither
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Deco at CNB Apartments is adaptive re-use of Central National Bank, a landmarked Art Deco skyscraper that was Richmond’s tallest building 1930 – 1971. The building changed hands several times: Central Fidelity Bank and Wachovia Bank, then (2007) a developer that planned to convert the offices to a hotel. In 2013 the building was converted
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Hotel Richmond was built in two phases. The original 1904 structure was an eight-story building fronting East Grace Street, designed by Harrison Albright. A 1911 expansion added two stories to the original building and an 11-story wing to the north, designed by John Kevan Peebles. A two-story lobby was constructed between the wings, fronting on
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Gallery 5, aka Steamer Company Number 5, is a quirky building across the street from another quirky building – Richmond Dairy Apartments. The triangular-shaped firehouse was built when fire engines were horse-drawn and pumps were steam-powered. The landmark remained in service as a firehouse (and police station) until 1968, when it was transformed into the
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