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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Richmond’s Old City Hall is an architectural and, to a degree, governmental landmark. The winning design was scrapped because the $300,000 cost was deemed too expensive. The city then accepted a more modest proposal from a different architect, only to reverse course again to build Elijah Myers’ Gothic design. The actual cost wound up more
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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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Even Google Maps is confused about this building: Reynolds Tobacco and Reynolds Metals both built warehouses and factories alongside the Haxall Canal in the vicinity of Haxall Point. This building, though, is definitely R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. Leaf Tobacco Warehouse, aka Italianate (after the architectural style), aka The Locks – part of the residential
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Grace & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church was built in four major stages: The church proper was built in two stages under two architects, as funds became available; a matching parish house was later added; a modern parish hall completed the site. The North Laurel Street landmark faces Monroe Park and is adjacent to landmark Altria
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Hood Temple A.M.E. Zion Church (African Methodist Episcopal) is a 170-year-old landmark in the Jackson Ward Historic District of Downtown Richmond. Name: Hood Temple A.M.E. Zion Church Location: 16 West Clay Street Year Completed: 1850 Architect: Albert West Style: Gothic Revival National Register of Historic Places: Jackson Ward Facebook: Hood Temple AME Zion Church Google
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Imperial Building, aka Richmond Free Press, is a neo-Classical building at 422 East Franklin Street. Name: Imperial Building, Richmond Free Press Location: 422 East Franklin Street Year Completed: 1923 Architect: Neff & Thompson Style: neo-Classical Society of Architectural Historians: Imperial Building Google Map All images copyright © Kenneth Grant / photos taken October 2019 with
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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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