Eleven-story building proposed for Cary and Pear Streets

This one isn’t bad… it doesn’t break the horizon and block views more than what already exists.

I like it and think it is a good use of the property. It doesn’t obstruct anything and brings something of quality to the area versus a vacant overgrown lot.

Build it. Make sure to include a diner. Thanks.

I’m skeptical.

It doesn’t appear to hurt the views from Libbie Hill SO badly (and I say this as a resident that lives closer to Jefferson Park, so my interest is more in preservation of the city than as a direct neighbor).

Prior to reading the proposal, I wished it to appeal to buyers/owners so that a discussion about that area could involve mutually-invested persons. Then I saw that it was- in fact- aimed at buyers (hopefully) willing to pay 750k-1.3m to buy a condo within the development! We all know this isn’t going to happen.

Something doesn’t add up, and I fear that this could be a case of just plain ignorance on the part of the developers: or it’s them conspiring. (I also see signs that they will possibly retract their statements in the proposal asserting that they will rely on the CHA’s recommendations about the development.) I have a feeling that this will not end well, and I feel like a bunch of regular people are going to have to fight- justifiably- to stave off investors from compromising an historic landscape for which our city is named.

The proprietors’ success in getting a SUP would set a precedent (potentially allowing other structures to be built). I speculate that nobody will buy them, and then it will become apartments for transients that aren’t necessarily inclined to care about protecting the area. Then the area continues to lack a leadership group that is ready to come to the table with CHA CHC and UHCA and talk about a future that involves residents’ desires and needs.

It’s bothersome. I just don’t like what I see. That’s my .02.

That parcel is subject to significant flooding since it is at such a low grade and has no flood wall protection. I wonder what the potential financing bank will say and/or a potential buyer when their Mercedes is flooded in the parking garage below their million dollar condo. They will definitely need an evacuation plan for high water events.

IMHO the viewshed shouldn’t be as big of a concern for this project as it has for others (e.g., Echo Harbor), so long as the design is a good one.

These developers want the approval and support of the CHA yet readly admit that, “all the details” have yet to be put forward and that “we won’t expand on our proposal”.

NO NO NO , HELL NO!

There’s a whole lot of wiggle room at the end of the proposal that makes me nervous since they are basically saying to CHA give us approval now, though we reserve the right to change the plan later:

“Accordingly, we ask for CHA approval of the conceptual plans as presented. Of course such approval will be subject to review of the SUP application and all of its detail. For our part, we make a commitment to adhere to the design concepts as presented and to develop the remaining
plans in a consistent manner. We have no intention of expanding or contracting our basic plan.

We commit to keeping an open dialogue with the CHA as the final plans are developed and to take CHA opinion into account at all stages of the development.

We ask that if we submit final plans that are substantially similar in design and detail to the information presented herein that we will have the approval of your association.”

Jason- the picture is taken along the drive of the main area of Libby Hill. Look closely, you are referring to tree tops on a lower terrace.

@17 – I’m assuming you have the data on Rockett’s sales? Can you tell how many condos they’ve sold in the range this project forecasts in the past year?

To answer your question, two reasons I think these might be a tougher sell:

1. Rockett’s has some green space and outdoor amenities for their residents to enjoy. It doesn’t appear this would offer much of that.

2. Being outside the city means the cost wouldn’t be apples to apples because the city has a higher tax rate.

Since when is Rockett’s not in the city of Richmond? And this building is right across Dock Street from the Capital Trail and a park.

@17-19: I’m not trying to single out this particular architect. I meant for my comments to be applicable to most of these large scale development proposals. As for “fake colonial Williamsburg” architecture: hardly what I’m advocating for either. We need more gesamtkunstwerk and less design by committee /lowest common denominator.

My main concern is that it seems like architects try to make something fit in to a historic neighborhood by copying the shape and form of the surrounding buildings but ignoring most of their other aesthetic qualities. This in turn includes an irrational conversation about and defense of these buildings which distracts from any real conversation about aesthetics/materials/quality/etc. Basically: Build a realistic/convincing “replica” tobacco-factory-converted-into loft apartments or build something else! I think an Italianate-Victorian facade would be perfectly appropriate, even if the building doesn’t particularly look like a cigarette factory – provided the facade is thoughtfully designed and includes both high quality materials and workmanship.

Something contextually jarring (art deco high rise architecture) could be an excellent addition to the neighborhood/skyline/streetscape, provided the design, materials, and workmanship are of sufficient quality.

I feel like taste/preference, quality, and contextual appropriateness are improperly delineated and improperly prioritized in these discussion. Regardless, I see no reason why a developer shouldn’t be held to incredibly high standards when they are building condos that they claim will sell for over 750,000 dollars AND are asking for permission to do something they would otherwise not be allowed to do.

Any time I see the Johannas name on a design, I cringe because of his nonconformist designs that should not be approved by the CAR. That said, what is the difference with his 11 story versus the other 15 story design?

I can embrace “modern” as long as it doesn’t look cheap… covered with ugly corrugated metal siding or mishmash prefab crap. Nineteenth century warehouses that surround this are “brick” and is what I would expect to see here. If done right, it can be creatively and artistically done as brick-masons did in that era. Even later Art Deco would be welcome if done authentically.