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Blue Wheeler building for sale at $450,000
10/06/2016 9:04 AM by John M
Matt Jarreau sends word that the former Blue Wheeler building at 3116-3120 East Marshall Street is for sale for $450,000:
The former Blue Wheeler!! An excellent opportunity to acquire approximately a 4,000 SF corner commercial mixed use building along with a smaller 273 SF One-story commercial building and with vacant 3,450SF parcel in a R-63 by right commercial zoning District.
There is possibility for 2 separate commercial spaces with apartments above and the ability to build a separate 3 unit building on 3116 E Marshall all by right as the zoning is in place to support such developments.
But wouldn’t it be so nice to have a convenience store back? Union market 2.0
Total renovation required.
Big-ish building, no?
@Dubois2 Looks like abut 4000 square feet and seems to also include a vacant parcel of land. http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3116-3120-E-Marshall-St-Richmond-VA-23223/2096826588_zpid/
If it’s like the Union Market, yes. No more Blue Wheeler-ish stores.
I think this is a pretty special pair of buildings. The corbeled sub-cornice and notched pilasters are really unusual. Strangely grand for a corner store.
Anyway, I liked Blue Wheeler. Sad to see it go but hopefully someone will give this building new life. There is a lot of potential here.
@Don – the ground floor has at least some remaining elements of a cast iron facade system and a fairly large and elaborate awning system as well.
Having recently toured the property, it appears it was originally a grocery – there is a beadboard walk-in fridge at the rear of the property. I also noticed stacks of wooden crates that appeared to have been used for storing eggs and milk bottles. The entire space, including some or all of the rear store rooms, has decorative tin walls and ceilings. The building originally had a corner entrance, which would take away from the square footage if restored but would be quite attractive.
The upstairs apartment is especially grand for an apartment above a commercial space. There is a double parlour with massive pocket doors AND a dining room, several bedrooms, and a kitchen large enough to have a walk in pantry. One of the parlors has curved corner walls – hard to describe, but quite distinctive. There is original millwork in decent condition throughout the apartment.
I assume from what I saw that the original owners lived there, and ran a relatively successful business downstairs. Anyone know more about the history of the building?
The building is absolutely fabulous. It has been run into the ground and it does need a ton of work but there are so many beautiful details that just need rehab. I had a picture of the building from many years ago, when the entrance was still on the corner. The scroll arm for the hanging sign is still there. If I can find the picture, I will ask for it to be posted. I believe it’s been some sort of grocery store for its entire life. I live across the street and the showings at the building have been nonstop.