Fountainhead Properties and the WVS Companies announced today that they’ve formed a joint venture, Fall Line Capital LLC, to purchase and develop the Reynold Plant along the Canal Walk. The developers plan to convert the 6 acre property into a mixed-use space. The first phase will begin in January of next year. [via]

At 6:00 p.m., the architects from O’Dell & Associates will give Quoit Club a tour of their award-winning new offices in the American Tobacco Company Lucky Strike Power Plant building in Shockoe Bottom.  Originally built in 1930, the Power Plant has been redesigned to create a multi-level studio environment, retaining key historical features of the building including the exterior glass and masonry envelope and skylights that provide natural light to the open studio.  A reception at the new offices of Glavé & Holmes Architecture, a few blocks east of Lucky Strike in a newly-renovated cigar factory that was part of the Edgeworth Tobacco warehouse complex, will follow.  If the weather cooperates,  enjoy the city views from the new roof deck.  Hors d’oeuvres will be provided by White House Catering.

For more information, contact the Quoit Club at 804.643.7407 or quoitclubrva@gmail.com.

via NBC12.com:

The Richmond Metropolitan Authority has made a decision and the Native American statue “Connecticut” is expected to be headed from The Diamond to Tobacco Row.

This afternoon, the RMA Board of Directors voted to adopt a recommendation by the advisory group to grant the proposal from Odell and Associates, which plans to place the 2,400 pound statue at the Lucky Strike building on Tobacco Row in Shockoe Bottom.

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The RTD today has a look at the developments underway in Shockoe, including Cedar Broad, Shockoe Valley Heights, and Cold Storage.

The opening of the much talked about Urban Farmhouse Market and Cafe is scheduled for February 3. The cafe will feature fresh, local, and seasonal foods. View their Winter Menu.

As GRTC continues to push for a bus transfer station at Main Street Station, the RTD reports that Mayor Jones is cautious that it might interfere with high speed rail. 

“I believe that GRTC probably has a Plan B. I don’t want to speak for them, however,” Jones said in an interview when asked about the proposed transfer center. “But from my perspective, only so many things can go in Shockoe Bottom.” [via]

Many community organizations have come out against the most recent proposal for a transfer station at Main Street Station, including the Shockoe Bottom Neighborhood Association, The Historic Shockoe Partnership, and The Slave Trail Commission. Today’s article highlights a new group formed specifically to fight the transfer station, the Better Station Coalition.

The Annual Downtown Real Estate Review will be held Wednesday, December 16 from 7:30-9:00 a.m. OR 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Richmond CenterStage in the Carpenter Theater. The review will feature 20 developers discussing more than 40 downtown developments. The event is free, but requires registration.

From Richmond Bizsense:

Sensei Development and Monument Construction have spent $4.7 million so far. The project is part of an entire rehabilitation of the block bounded by Main and 21st streets — which is projected to cost $35 million. Marc Galt, managing director of Sensei, said 21 units will be finished Dec. 15, with the remaining units being completed soon after…

The apartments are just the beginning. The vision is to create a total of 225 residential units around 10,000 square feet of commercial space, underground parking and a patio garden linking the different buildings. The entire complex will be named Shockoe Valley Heights and was designed by Walter Parks architects. [via]

In the next couple months, two significant renovation projects in Manchester should be complete. The second location of Croaker’s Spot in scheduled to open next month and the Manchester Courthouse in scheduled to reopen the following month. The completion of these projects are spurring further growth in the neighborhood.

No one is overlooking Manchester now. The work at the old courthouse has already brought in a new law firm, and bail bondsman. A pizzeria is on the way and the growth is spreading east, up Hull Street. [via]

Read more about the revitalization at NBC12.com.

Style Weekly has the lead on the latest vision for Shockoe: a visitors’ center in Main Street Station. Willard Strickland, a retired teacher, is pitching the idea to make one of Richmond’s most recognizable landmarks a greeting point for visitors. No word on whether a formal proposal is in the works, but the idea is already gaining support from city booster, Jim Ukrop. [via]

The first phase of the Cold Storage renovation is complete. The building has 37 all-inclusive apartment units, and it is one of five buildings that will make up the Atrium Lofts at Cold Storage. The renovation and conversion of the rest of its buildings is not in any rush due to the economy, but Brian White with Historic Properties indicates it will be completed eventually. A property manager with Main Street Realty says that the downtown rental market is still strong, citing that the building next door is 100% occupied.  [via]

Plans for a brewery and restaurant by David Napier as part of the Atrium Lofts at Cold Storage have been shelved. Napier says one of the reasons for suspending development of the brewery is the lack of a plan for the Shockoe Bottom area. [via]

The RTD reports that the city is going to issue a request for revitalization proposals for Shockoe Bottom.

The project’s scope of work calls for a site plan, a market assessment of development issues, and opportunities and implementation strategies that would include “destination-anchor projects,” reuse and redevelopment of property, expansion of retail, “market-rate and mixed-income residences,” tourism, and public and private financing.

The city says they are interested in consultants with experience in revitalizing historic downtown areas.The project will be funded by $125,000 set aside by city council this spring. [via]

Councilwoman Robertson will be holding a public forum on Tuesday, September 15 from 10-noon to solicit input and support of a proposed new law (PDF) which seeks to offer tax incentives for development in specific areas.  [via]

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CHPN has vintage news footage speculating a Ukrop’s store in Shockoe Bottom. Oh, if only…

From RVABusiness‘ Twitter:

Also, last week we signed a lease w a new operator going into 15 N 17th St to do a hookah lounge!