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Huotari reveals more on the King’s Retreat
03/05/2009 6:40 AM by John M
The RTD has Robert Huotari on video explaining his vision for the members-only King’s Retreat proposed for Glenwood Avenue:
Diners at his restaurant will be able to fully customize their experience, from the size of food portions they receive to individual sound and climate control.
Stage performances — reminiscent of classic Broadway shows or Hollywood movies — will occur throughout the night, offering entertainment and employment to talented locals, he said.
“If you think of his venture as show biz, I think the show bit is tremendous,” said Keith Martin, managing director of the Richmond Ballet who knows Huotari because he is a patron of the ballet.
You may recall a previous discussion of the matter.
Doesn’t that site back up against the proposed Oakwood Heights development? Should make for a good view.
This is manna from Heaven!!! Thank you Mr Huotari. My week had been so hum drum until this little jewel appeared in the RTD.
I’m not sure I understand how the individual sound and climate control would work in a restaurant…unless of course there were doors and walls all around you and you were watching the show through a glass wall after having deposited some money into a slot so that you could watch the (peep)”show”. Wait! I guess that what the membership fee covers
Perfect. More evidence that God does, indeed, have a sense of humor.
Mr. Huotari has decided to add hot squires to the mix:
“The maidens and squires, he said, “all have to be able to perform in the same way and be easy on the eyes.”
Will the King’s Retreat bring in job opportunities to the east end? Obviously living quarters won’t be an issue given that the Oakwood Heights development will be right next door.
Yes, God does have a sense of humor.
Is there a need for a private club? The Capital Club is gone and the Bull and Bear is serving chicken and dumplings and has $2 pint nights.
Forgot to ask… does anyone know how long this project has been in the works?
Mr. Huotari must believe there is a need if he is expecting to collect $5,000,000 in membership fees a year.
From the TD:
“Margaret Freund, owner of Fulton Hill Properties, said she turned Huotari away when he sought to locate his business in the Lady Byrd Hat building on the Canal Walk.”
Now that they will be neighbors, Oakwood Heights residents will have daycare and drycleaning within walking distance.
From the T-D article:
Margaret Freund, owner of Fulton Hill Properties, said she turned Huotari away when he sought to locate his business in the Lady Byrd Hat building on the Canal Walk.
“If it’s an upscale, normal [restaurant], why would you put it there?” she said, referring to his planned location east of Church Hill.
Fulton Hill Properties plans to build a 33-unit condominium development near the proposed King’s Retreat site. The project was approved by the City Council in late February.
“Shame on the city if they let this happen,” she said of The King’s Retreat. “This is not an appropriate use for that location.”
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So Ms. Freund wants her upscale condos to NOT have an upscale restaurant in close proximity? Huh? Why not?! What DOES she think is an appropriate use for that location? A drive thru burger joint, or just a vacant trolley barn?!
Maybe they could have a “clean” mud-wrestling contest between Freund and Huotari and give free memberships to the first 25 people who show up?
The folk that signed the petition in support of Freund’s development might not sign one against job opportunities.
Hey Gray #10 – don’t they have to actually join to have access to the daycare and dry cleaning? Or are those services available to the neighbors gratis during the day, and part of membership at night?
Joe #12, what a great idea!
crd, from my reading of the TD article, it looks like the daycare and drycleaning operations will be open to the general public during day hours.
I will worry about this if it ever materializes. I would be very surprised if it ever really opens up.
Richmond is afraid to come to Church Hill. If they were to come why would they when this location is less than a quarter mile from Fulton Bottom low income housing and across the street from single family homes. I don’t think this is funny in the least. The 2300 Club has problems getting members to support that location. Does Community Development think we want or will approve of such a venture. If you want a cleaners talk to Mr Cho at the Chimborazo market. I believe there is space there in a building already constructed with a large parking lot. WE alraedy have 2 laundry/dry cleaning establishments in Church Hill. How many do we need??
crd — 😉
does this project want city backed bonds? can you see the building from your house? is it in a historic district?will the traffic come thru your neighborhood? so what if the project sounds whacky, is it your money? oh, i forgot, you must be with the thought police. i will be looking forward to the mud wrestling, for free of course.
is there a need for a private club? well i guess that would be between the houtari and his banker wouldnt it?
Keep in mind thet Oakwood is not the only proposed devleopment on your side of town. I think Mr. Huotari plans on drawing from Rocketts Landing, Echo Harbor, Baseball Stadium Condos, other existing and proposed developments. How many development projects can you name within walking distance? How many more can you fit? You still have a lot of open space over there. Face it folks, it’s gonna get real cozy around the Hill.
I actually kind of agree with Tiny this time, though it’s always good to know what is brewing out there. Investing that kind of money on a “new concept” in a soso area has to be one of the most foolish things I ever heard of. I don’t think the economy is calling for extravaganza right now.
Things have gotten whacky -the stadium, echo harbor, oakwood retreat…like we’re living in something eerily similar to the Bermuda Triangle where the taxpayers disappear.
I’m more worried about 33 section 8 apartments clustered above it than I am about Huotari’s venture.
Bob #21, so? It’s his money – or rather, his banker’s money.
I’m looking forward to a night out with JoeRichmond and bill5 to watch the mud wrestling…
I agree with Tiny too. It gives me the creeps.
#19:
“is there a need for a private club? well i guess that would be between the houtari and his banker wouldnt it?”
Would have liked to see the look on the bankers face when he pitched/pitches the concept.
maybe the banker and the houtari are smoking the same thing and getting carpet burns together. i am still holding hope for free admission to mud wrestling
“Richmond is afraid to come to Church Hill.”
Hahahahahahaha. Yeah, Church Hill is a really scary place here in 2009.
Go back and look at some of last year’s discussion about the location of Jumpin’ J’s and Que Pasa. Seems that some folks in Church Hill are afraid to come to Church Hill.
Oh, what a night that will be! Crd, bill. gray and me …..watching, that is …………
There are a couple of regulars here on CHPN that I would gladly pay to see “wrassle it out”