ENG

ENG

Twin Hickory

Sarah Bice ·

DSCF6876.jpg

Twin Hickory is a planned community located in Glen Allen, VA, near Richmond city. It consists of over 1,400 homes*, 18 neighborhoods*, a shopping area, a YMCA facility, a high school (Deep Run High School), several smaller schools, and several parks. It is located between Short Pump Town Center and Nuckols Road, alongside I-295 and Twin Hickory Road. The community can be accessed through Exit 178A of I-64 and Exit 51A/B of I-295. Twin Hickory is one of the biggest communities in Short Pump area, with a selection of homes including single-family homes, townhouses, and condominium homes. 

Twin Hickory Clubhouse, and pools.

Managed by The Twin Hickory Homeowners’ Association, Inc., the community is famous for its amenities, landscape design, and architectural integrity. The profession of HOA services has contributed to the properties’ growing values in the area. The highlight of the amenities is the clubhouse area at 4601 Hickory Lake Drive. The clubhouse has a selection of pools, with a lap pool, dive pool, water-slide, and toddler wading pool, everyone can find a place to enjoy*. The pools are opened from Memorial Day to Labor Day every year. A children’s playground, several tennis courts, and pedestrian sidewalks are located near the clubhouse, sprawling around the roadside lakes. The sidewalks spawns more that 8 miles in the community, connecting the major public spaces and amenities in the area, including schools, churches, the town center, YMCA, and Twin Hickory Park and Recreation Center.

Henrico Public Library, located in the park and recreation center.

The park and recreation center is where the Henrico County Public Library locates, as well as a place for community get togethers and summer activities. During early autumn, the place is already a little quiet as RLRVA editor visits, but folks nearby have really good memories about it, they still talked about the Volkswagen Beetle show happened last year, and the children’s water playground installed this summer. The warm autumn sun means now the place is a good spot for reading and meditation. The Henrico Public Library, as people gathers, provides service for residents within and beyond Twin Hickory. The library is free to the public, it opens yearly from 9 am to 9 pm during weekdays, and 9 am to 6 pm during weekends. The library also features a drive-in service window where people can loan and return books, making life in Twin Hickory more convenient.

Deep Run Hight School

Located in 4801 Twin Hickory Road, Deep Run High School is a magnet public high school in Henrico County, Virginia. It is named after one of Henrico County's first schools: Deep Run School. With over 1700 students, 110 teachers, and a history of alumni excellence, Deep Run High School is ranked as the 8th "Top School" in Virginia and the 278th best high school in the United States by U.S. News & World Report**. Combining other elementary schools in the community, as well as the two universities downtown (Virginia Commonwealth university, and University of Richmond), Twin Hickory provides education for families with quality and convenience.

YMCA center and town center in Twin Hickory.

Shady Grove Family YMCA*** center is located in the intersection of Nuckols Road and Twin Hickory Road. The center provides programs and services for all ages, ranging from $20 to $40 per person per month. The center is highly rated (4.5 out of 5, via Google) by residents in Twin Hickory, and has become a community place for connecting people and building healthier life since 1995. The center also provides various fitting and training lessons, such as yoga and swimming. The center, alongside with 16 other YMCA centers in Greater Richmond area, is indeed a place that keeps the kids, the families, and the community strong.

Overall, in Twin Hickory homeowners are responsible for the maintenance of their own lots and homes, with the exception of some neighborhoods that are maintenance free. They include Bellingham, Belmont Park, Holly Glen, Jamerson Park & Park Commons, where sub-associations of Twin Hickory HOA provide additional assessments and services. The community has its own small town center, with shops, restaurants, a grocery store (Food Lion), and other conveniences such as CVS Pharmacy. Twin Hickory is also conveniently located near many local major shopping spots, including Short Pump Town Center and West Broad Village.

Homes in Twin Hickory community:

Looking for a home here? There might be one for sale now! Check the link below:

http://www.greatrichmond.com/listings.asp?view=active

* Twin Hickory HOA website: https://community.associawebsites.com/sites/TwinHickory/Pages/AcwDefault.aspx

** Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Run_High_School

*** Young Men’s Christian Association, a community focused nonprofit providing recreational programs, short for “the Y” in the U.S..

Location:
Twin Hickory Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23059
Access via Exit 178A of I-64, or Exit 51 of I-295.

HOA Website:
https://community.associawebsites.com/sites/TwinHickory/Pages/AcwDefault.aspx

 

ENG

Exclusive: West Broad Village Clubhouse & Homeowner Interview

Sarah Bice ·

The pool in the clubhouse, with townhouses in the background.

The pool in the clubhouse, with townhouses in the background.

This week, RLRVA editor WJ was invited into the private clubhouse in West Broad Village, and had an interview with homeowner Rebecca, who lives in one of the townhouses here.

Before the interview, we share something special with you: RLRVA's recently-acquired shopping map in Short Pump area :)

Rebecca, homeowner, has taken this stunning photo of the community.

Rebecca, homeowner, has taken this stunning photo of the community.

WJ: When did you move to West Broad Village?

Rebecca: I moved in at November 2016, I bought a townhouse in this community from Sarah Bice & Associates Real Estates LLC. I really enjoy living in here!

WJ: What are the reasons for you to choose West Broad Village?

Rebecca: The main reasons I choose West Broad Village are the living convenience, and the community’s environment. We all know that West Broad Village is great for shopping and daily commute, and I totally agree. I like Whole Foods (Editor’s note: the high-end organic grocery store located inside the community) a lot, because it provides healthy food.

Clubhouse entrance.

Rebecca: And what I want to add to my statement is, the convenience is also in many details, especially in house maintenance. I used to live in a family house in Wyndham area near Short Pump, and that house has a lot of home and yard maintenances. I need to do all those by myself, which exhausted me every time. In here West Broad Village, I don’t need to worry about all those things, HOA (Editor’s note: Homeowner Association) does it, they take care of the yard, the exterior paints, the driveway cleaning, rooftop repairs, and many other things. Now I have more time to spend with my family, my dog, and myself! They have also installed UV protection windows and fire extinguish systems in every house.

WJ: So that means there are many nice design details that contribute to the living quality here?

Rebecca: Yes.

WJ: Also based on your experience, West Broad Village is kind of like those served apartments in big cities.

Rebecca: Yes, but with more privacy and flexibility.

The luxury central hall in the clubhouse.

WJ: How about the environment? Do you spend your weekend and recreational time in west broad village?

Rebecca: Yes, I spend most of my time here when not working and in the weekend. The parks and sidewalks are quite, beautiful and clean. I love my dog and I walk him everyday, and I feel safer to walk my dog here compared to the city, also less traffic and cleaner air. The community activities are nice and fun, we have summer concerts and movie nights, there is also an art fair happening soon.

The family theatre, indoor gym, and children's playroom in the clubhouse.

WJ: Do you like the house design here?

Rebecca: Yes. I like the exteriors most, they are stylish, high-end and unique. The courtyards and gardens are also beautiful. The interiors are nice too, they come with affordable high-end styles and classes, and you can always update them at your wish.

WJ: Do you shop and eat in West Broad Village often?

Rebecca: Yes, I shop here a lot, mainly Whole Foods, Petco, Sweet Frog, and Short Pump Town Center. Also the nearby stores, like Bestbuy, Asian Market, and Costco. There are many nice restaurants and bars nearby too, especially Peter Chang and Maggiano’s.

The party room, including a kitchen, a dining room, a pool table, and meeting areas.

WJ: Will you recommend west broad village to potential home buyers?

Rebecca: Yes, the houses here are perfect for couples and small to medium families.

WJ: Are you satisfied with your home buying experience with Sarah Bice & Associates Real Estate?

Rebecca: Yes, five star! They are professional, fully dedicated to customer satisfaction, and pay attention to every detail. They are also multi-cultural and multi-lingual, which helps me a lot!

Outdoor swimming pool and sun bathing area.

ENG

West Broad Village

Sarah Bice ·

Luxury townhouses in West Broad Village.

Luxury townhouses in West Broad Village.

Located in Henrico County, West Broad Village is a suburban community that combines living, shopping and social space together, with the community’s main selling point being the convenient and affordable luxury life style. West Broad Village is located right next to the exit 178A of I-64—the main commute highway that connects Richmond city and the suburban Henrico. Commuting from West Broad Village to downtown Richmond city takes around 15-20 minutes. The community is also less than a mile away from the famous open-air high-end shopping mall Short Pump Town Center. 

Well-designed townhouses and courtyards, with attention to every detail.

West Broad Village is built on the previous farmlands of Liesfeld Dairy Farm. The farm was originally purchased by Unicorp for residential development, who saw the land’s potential with 154,000 cars passing by daily*. The construction began in late 2008—unfortunately at the height of the national economy and real estate recession. The project suffered from the recession, and was burdened with debts and delays. Serious doubts about the community’s fate were raised among Richmonders. But the project’s potential is abundant and obvious. To resurrect the project, Markel | Eagle took over the then near-finish West Broad Village for about $32 million, and successfully finished the project at the Christmas of 2009. The resurrected community quickly gained highly positive market perceptions. West Broad Village was subsequently named “Community of the Year” by the Homebuilding Association of Richmond in 2010, and “Mixed-use Community of the Year” by Multi-family Pillar of the Industry*. In the following years, with the settling in of Aloft hotel, Whole Foods, REI, Bone Fish Grill and other retail stores and restaurants, West Broad Village has finally lived up to its original project vision and potential. Today, the townhouses in West Broad Village are still among the most sought-after ones in Richmond’s real estate market.

Sidewalk showered in golden sunlight.

Sidewalk showered in golden sunlight.

West Broad Village is a unique and contemporary community with mixed-use and density. This is not supported by the traditional zoning districts in Richmond city—with many districts' usage plans are dated back to the original city plan in 1737. Therefore, West Broad Village is one of the few truly modern communities around Richmond city. West Broad Village has three main types of properties: individually-owned townhouses, retail spaces, and high-end rental flat apartments. The townhouses make up the majority part of the community’s living area, and the main selling point for these houses is their relatively affordable price**, while locating in a well-designed, well-maintained neighborhood with world-class amenities and convenient, premium shopping. 

Open-field parks and gardens in West Broad Village, with well-maintained lawns.

Most of the townhouses come with front and back courtyards. The houses are three-floored with three bedrooms and three bathrooms, suitable for couples and small to medium families. The first floor usually contains an office, the third bedroom, laundry room, other in-house amenities, and a two-car garage; the second floor includes a large kitchen, countertops, living room, dining room, and an outdoor balcony; and the upstair third floor with cathedral ceilings is where two master bedrooms are located. Unlike many vintage houses in downtown Richmond, the townhouses in West Broad Village come with contemporary floor plans and designs, providing optimized living qualities, premium interiors, and well-considered lighting with ventilation.

Sunset in West Broad Village, rendering the breathtakingly beautiful and sweet homes.

A private club is located in the living area of West Broad Village, providing social space, a gym, a swimming pool and an outdoor sun bathing area. West Broad Village also comes with beautifully designed, open-field lawns, and two lakes with fountains. Other community facilities such as children’s playgrounds and gardens are also available. The large lawn in the community’s entrance also serves as the location for summer and autumn concerts. And as mentioned earlier, the community comes with its own premium retail shops, especially Whole Foods Grocery Market, providing healthy and convenient life styles.

The flat apartments, and shopping area.

If you love the lifestyle and the environment of West Broad Village and wish to live there, there might be houses available for sale now! You can check here for details:

http://greatrichmond.com/search.asp#

Interior examples (source: GreatRichmond.com)

* The Resurrection of West Broad Village, 
http://www.hf-law.com/images/uploads/WLUF_News_Jan2012-6pg.pdf

** By comparing the average household income and median house price in Henciro County.

Location (shopping area):
3950 Wild Goose Ln,
Glen Allen, VA 23060

Website:
http://westbroadvillage.com/

Contact:
(312) 798-5140

Map:

 

ENG

Carytown

Sarah Bice ·

Carytown townhouse storefronts.

Carytown is a unique shopping neighborhood inside Richmond city, at the west side of Fan district, also marking the traditional boundary of Richmond’s urban area. The neighbourhood began with the completion of Cary Court Shopping Center in 1938 — a historical, single-floor Art Deco style building. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, the building features a prominent parking area and a streamlined, uninterrupted string of large modern aluminum and glass doors and commercial storefronts. As more shops developed on the surrounding property, the shopping area eventually connected another historical landmark in that area — Byrd Theatre, creating today’s carytown neighborhood.

Cary Court Shopping Center.

Cary Court Shopping Center.

Carytown now has an eclectic flavor and includes more than 230 shops, restaurants, and boutiques. Famous restaurants include New York Deli, which has been around since 1929 and is the birthplace of the Sailor sandwich; and Can Can Brasserie, as Richmond’s best-known French restaurant. For casual dining, brunch, coffee, dessert, pizza and drinks, Carytown also offers a wide selection, such as Carytown Cupcakes, Greek on Cary, Galaxy Diner, Bev’s Homemade Ice Creams, Mellow Mushroom, and Citizen Burger Bar. Carytown’s many boutiques provide exciting opportunities for people to look for unique home decors, clothing, records, gifts, and toys. The various type of boutique shops includes the designer’s thrift store Clementine, music store Plan9 Records, culinary shop Ladles & Linens, gift shop Mongrel, alternative toy store World of Mirth, and many others. The friendly shops, townhouse style storefronts, restaurants, street performers, and many other experiences make Carytown suitable for every Richmonder and tourists.

Colorful and lively paints and murals.

Carytown also has several annual festivals, with the most famous ones being the Watermelon festival in August and French Film Festival in March. Every Sunday, the Carytown Farmers Market opens from 11am to 3pm, providing local foods and drinks.

Byrd Theatre.

Byrd Theatre.

Byrd theatre was completed in 1928 — even earlier that Cary Court. The theatre was the first cinema in Virginia to be outfitted with a sound system when built, featuring an Italian Renaissance Revival architectural style. It was listed as a Virginia Historic Landmark and was included in the National Register of Historic Places in the late 1970s. The cinema has been operated continuously since 1928, showing movies 365 days a year. It plays second-run movies for $4 per adult, with the exceptions of certain festivals, such as the Richmond French Film Festival, held annually at March. The theatre has a Wurlitzer Organ installed on the fourth floor, with an instrumental show being held every Saturday. Except the necessary repairs and digital projection updates, many structures, seats and light systems in the theatre are still original, including many unique features from the Art Deco era. Such unusual features included a central vacuum system for house cleaning, and a natural spring which used to supply water to the vintage air conditioning system.The theatre still displays the the lavish interior designed by the Arthur Brunet Studios of New York, including an 18-foot, two-and-a-half ton chandelier suspended over the auditorium with over 5,000 crystals illuminated by 500 red, blue, green and amber lights. According to local rumors, the theatre is also haunted by the ghost of Robert Coulter — the first manager of the theatre, adding more flavors to the building’s rich history.

World of Mirth and Mongrel.

A wide selection of products and details.

Location:
2811-3600 West Cary Street
Richmond, VA  23221
United States

Hours:
Most shops open from 10am-6pm, Monday to Saturday;
Farmers Market opens 11am-3pm, Sunday;
Restaurants and bars usually open daily.

Website:
http://carytownrva.org/

 

ENG

Virginia Commonwealth University and Monroe Park Campus

Sarah Bice ·

VCU Monroe park Campus, near the Compass plaza.

VCU Monroe park Campus, near the Compass plaza.

Located in Richmond, Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a public research university founded in 1838 as the medical department of Hampden–Sydney College. The college became the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) in 1854. In 1968, the Virginia General Assembly merged MCV with the Richmond Professional Institute (RPI), to create what is today's Virginia Commonwealth University. This history is embedded into VCU’s seal, which consists of the iconic Egyptian building and the two schools’ names.

Today VCU consists of 13 schools and one college, and The VCU Health System supports the university's health care education, research and patient care. VCU also has an independent campus in Doha, Qatar, mainly hosting art and design bachelor degree educations.

VCU provides degrees for more than 31,000 students. Around 85% of the students are in-state, 9% are out-of state, and 6% are international. VCU is one of the public universities to have the highest percentage of non-White students in the United states. Demographically, other than international students, the student body is 51% white, 15% African American, 12% Asian, and 7% Hispanic. Recent years have also seen an increase in the number of Chinese international students, as the university is actively expanding the enrollment to east Asia, and setting up exclusive staffs for Asian international student affairs. There are around 400 Chinese students and visiting scholars at the university as of 2016.

VCU Student Commons building.

VCU Student Commons building.

VCU is designated as "R1: Doctoral University - Highest Research Activity" by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. According to the 2016 U.S. News & World Report, VCU is classified as a Tier 1 University with an overall national rank of No. 156, and No. 84 among all public colleges and universities. Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts) is ranked as the No. 1 public university school of arts and design in the country (and tied as No. 2 among public & private institutions) by U.S. News & World Report in 2017. The VCU Brandcenter (the School of Business' graduate program) in advertising has also been ranked first in the nation by Creativity Magazine. VCU's Masters of Science in Health Administration program was ranked second by Modern Healthcare. The University's Health System has twice been named one of the Solucient Top 100 Hospitals in the United States by Solucient Corporation. VCU's athletic teams compete in Division I of the NCAA and are collectively known as the VCU Rams. They are members of the Atlantic 10 Conference.

VCU has two main campuses in Richmond: the Monroe Park Campus, located west of downtown Richmond, and the MCV Campus in the urban center. VCU campuses take up a significant part of Richmond city, and the students make up around 15 percent of the city’s population.

Monroe Park Campus, blended into the city blocks.

Monroe Park Campus, blended into the city blocks.

Named after the city park, the 90.6-acre Monroe Park Campus houses most of VCU's general education facilities, and is situated on the eastern end of the Fan district. Prior to the merger of the Richmond Professional Institute and the Medical College of Virginia, the campus was the home to the entire Richmond Professional Institute. The campus has a mix of modern and vintage buildings, with over 40 structures built before 1900.

Franklin Street VCU section. Including Office of The Vice President.

For sightseeing visitors and the aesthetic eyes, The VCU section of Franklin Street can provide a scenic walk. The section begins at the intersection of Franklin Street and Belvedere Street, and ends at the intersection of Franklin Street and North Harrison Street. It connects to the beginning of Monument Avenue. The half-mile walk features Monroe Park, garden landscapes, trees, historic and stylish buildings, churches, the House of the University President, and the Anderson Gallery. Anderson Gallery hosts student and faculty shows year round, including the VCUarts’ thesis exhibitions. It is one of the best place to experience the highlights of VCUarts.

Pollak building, a rare Blutalist example in Richmond.

The Pollak Building, located on North Harrison Street, was named for VCUarts founder Theresa Pollak in 1971. It hosts the headquarter of VCUarts, and several design programs. Pollak Building is one of the hidden architectural gems in Richmond, being one of the few Brutalist buildings in the city. Pollak building also has a rooftop garden where visitors can enjoy the surroundings of sunshines, vegetations, and the panoramic view of Monroe Park Campus.

ICA under construction in 2017.
First image shows ICA office alongside with the Depot, a building converted from a train station.

The Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA), build by Steven Holl and associates, is planned to open in 2017. ICA is located at an important crossroads corner location of Belvidere Street and Broad Street, leading the city’s Art District area development. Aimed as the city’s most significant noncollecting contemporary art museum with an international reputation, ICA will not only boosts VCU’s, but also Richmond’s reputation in contemporary art exhibitions. It is also a symbolic link between Monroe Park Campus with MCV Campus.

VCU James Branch Cabell Library. A building influenced by Neoclassical architecture (before renovation).

After the 2016 renovation, James Branch Cabell Library becomes one of the largest libraries in Virginia. The library has extensive and comprehensive collections in art, science, business, editorials, local documents, and many other fields. It has one of the largest book art collections and the fifth largest graphic novel and comic book collections in the United States. The libraries hosts 2.16 million visitors each year, it is also open to public during daytime hours.

Monroe Park before renovation.

Monroe Park before renovation.

Monroe Park itself is the oldest city park in Richmond city, founded in 1851. It marks the east end of the historical Fan district — a historic, late 19th-century neighborhood adjacent to downtown Richmond. Monroe Park is a 7.5 acres park in pentagonal shape, surrounded by VCU residence halls, VCU da Vinci center, Altria Theatre, and several churches. The park is currently under renovation, to improve its lighting and other public facilities. It is planned to reopen in 2018.

The exotic Altria theatre.

Altria theatre is located next to Monroe Park. Originally built for Shriners of the Acca Temple Shrine in 1927, the building stands itself out from the surroundings with the exotic, castle-like middle-east architecture style, and luxury decorations. It was acquired by Richmond city in the 1940s, and became a theatre in 1995. Other than hosting musicals, concerts and comedies, the theatre also hosts various VCU events including graduation ceremonies.

The Fine Arts Building, located in Broad Street, is a massive building hosting the departments of Craft and Material Studies, Kinetic Imaging, Painting and Printmaking, and Sculpture and Extended Media. It frequently features public large-scale installations, live musics, seminars and conferences from students, faculties and visiting artists.

The Stuart C. Siegel Center, also in Broad Street, is the home court of the VCU basketball teams.The 7500-seat arena was opened in 1999, and has witnessed a 85 percent home court winning. The NCAA basketball games are popular local events, while the site is also used for volleyball games and concerts.

Additional Gallery

 

Location:
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia 23284
VCU Student Commons:
907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284

Contact:
(804) 828-0100

Website:
http://www.vcu.edu

 

ENG

Shockoe Bottom

Sarah Bice ·

View of Shockoe Bottom and downtown Richmond from Church Hill.

View of Shockoe Bottom and downtown Richmond from Church Hill.

Shockoe Bottom is one of Richmond city’s oldest neighborhoods, as the street blocks and zonings remains largely identical to Colonel William Mayo's initial city plan of Richmond in 1737 . Shockoe Bottom locates between downtown Richmond and Church Hill, along the James River, creating a long slip riverside neighborhood. Today, the area is a bustling hub for city living, cuisine and nightlife.

A loft in Shockoe Bottom.

A loft in Shockoe Bottom.

Historically, Shockoe Bottom was a main transportation hub for Richmond city. The traffics, combining with the location, have established the area as the city's industrial and commercial center. Shockoe Bottom began developing in the late 18th century following the move of the state capital to Richmond. Soon the neighborhood became the busy intersection of railways, river and canal traffics, and city roads, including the old Mayo’s bridge. This wagon and pedestrian bridge was a key feature contributing to the neighborhood's thriving. And today, its remaining piers are still sitting next to the modern 14 Street bridge, which can be observed from Browns Island city park. Shockoe bottom was the center of Richmond’s and southern America's tobacco industry, It also played a major role in slavery in the United States before the end of the Civil War. Profits from the slave trades fueled the creation of wealth for Southern whites and drove the economy in Richmond, leading 15th Street to be known as "Wall Street of the South" before the war.

 

Railway alongside the Shockoe slip.

Railway alongside the Shockoe slip.

The mixed intersection of highways and railways near Main Street Train Station.

The mixed intersection of highways and railways near Main Street Train Station.

However, the original Shockoe Bottom was completely destroyed on the eve of the fall of Richmond to the Union Army in April 1865. The evacuating Confederate forces set fire to the tobacco warehouses. The fire spread from Shockoe Bottom, eventually destroyed 25% of the whole Richmond city. Shockoe Bottom was quickly rebuilt after the war, forming much of its present historic building stock. It was still the center of tobacco industry and railway intersections, while its proximity to many downtown federal government buildings also added diversity to the business. Architecturally, many of the buildings constructed during the rebuilding period are a commercial variant of the Italianate style. Coming to 19th and early 20th century, Art Deco and Victorian style buildings were added. The tobacco industry was eventually abandoned in the 1960s, followed by the decades-long decline of this ares. Shockoe Bottom was revitalization in the 1980s, lead by the stationing of several art galleries—incluidng what would be today’s 1708 Gallery and Artspace.  

 

Many historical tobacco warehouses and Art Deco style buildings are converted to lofts.

Today, the buildings in Shockoe Bottom are primarily restaurants, shops, offices, and apartments. A farmer’s market was also built in recent years. Shockoe Bottom is still part of the city’s recreational and creative area, being closed to Plant Zero—the current art center near downtown across James River. Some old unused tobacco warehouse still remains, reminding the passenger’s about the area’s and Richmond city’s history. Shockoe Bottom now has many high-end lofts, studios, and serviced apartments, making it a convenient and well-developed spot for urban living. This area also hosts several finest restaurants of the city, including the Boathouse at Rocketts Landing—featuring waterfront dinings and bars, as well as Havana ‘59, Bottoms Up Pizza, River City Diner, Station 2, and Millie’s Diner. A canal city park was added in the 1990s after the completion of the city's floor wall. In this highlighted area, people can walk around the old canals and admire the city's industrial and transportation complexes, especially the famous five-deck traffic intersection near the Main Street Train Station, This intersection has three railways and two highways, spreading inside and outside the massive concrete flood walls. The mix between old and new, colonial and industrial, massive and delicate, gives this area a unique architectural aesthetic. Shockoe Bottom is also close to Church Hill, another historical, well-maintained and charming neighbourhood, where one can observe the whole downtown Richmond city alongside with the unique miniature Statue of Liberty.

 

The floor wall that keeps Shockoe Bottom basin and Richmond downtown safe from Jame River's periodical flooding.

 

More Images: Shockoe Bottom streets and restaurants

 

ENG

Maymont

Sarah Bice ·

中文版

Victorian Estate with lawns, mansions, gardens, farms and a nature center, also has experiences and event offerings.

Maymont landscape, viewing from Nature and Visitor Center.

Maymont landscape, viewing from Nature and Visitor Center.

“Maymont was given to us by James and Sallie Dooley, who lived here from 1893 through 1925. They wanted Maymont to be preserved so that new generations could enjoy it as much as they did. Whether strolling through the gardens, touring the mansion, watching river otters play, petting a goat or picnicking on the lawn, Maymont is a gift of 100 acres for all to enjoy.”

— maymont.org

The Victorian estate Maymont is one of the best preserved and maintained public park complexes in Richmond, Virginia. Located next to William Byrd Park and Carillon Neighborhood, Maymont is one of the jewelries in the green bands of James River running across Richmond City. Maymont has large lawns, mansions, gardens, stone roads and bridges that are preserved from the beginnings. It also hosts wildlife exhibits, a Children’s farm, and a Nature & Visitor center, as the additional attractions built later on. Other than being a popular destination for sightseeing, walking and sitting, Maymont also provides opportunities for outdoor weddings, birthday parties, educational tours, animal encounters and family events. Maymont is a versatile leisure and recreational place for Richmonders, and a must-see for visitors.

 

Japanese garden, rocks and canals,

Japanese garden, rocks and canals,

Maymont has more than 10 themed gardens of varying scales, with the highlight of them being the Japanese Garden and the Italian Garden. In the southern lower land of the estate, under a hill waterfall and before James River lies the Japanese garden. Built in 1911, the garden offers classical Japanese elements including a large waterfall, a koi pond, a pergola, rock gardens, small canals and red maple trees. When they are combined with the surrounding temperate broadleaf trees, bamboos and the warm-colored northern American sunlight, a unique aura floats around the place. The leafy grounds, floating stone lanterns, peaceful waters, kois, and American geese are combined to create a scrolling scenery, making the garden a unique mix between East and West in aesthetic. It is a beautiful retreat for meditation and relaxation year round. Connecting the Japanese garden and overlooking James River, the Italian garden locates in the upper side of the waterfall hills. The Italian garden is well-designed both architecturally and botanically. The long pergola covered by roses and vines is shaped after the garden styles of Rome. In different ground levels, domestic and exotic plants are blooming in urns, flower beds and floors, sewing lively and seasonal ground patterns. The exotic plant examples include enkianthus, larches, lavenders and ironwoods. The Italian garden is a hotspot for outdoor wedding, while everyone can enjoy the sunlight and vegetations in this openfield garden. Maymont also have several smaller gardens and gazebos. Some of them grow vegetables and fruits for children to play and learn, and some others are themed after butterflies, herbs and sunflowers.

 

 

The Nature and Visitor Center, located in the north side of Maymont, is the entrance, information center, and gift shop of the estate. It is the recommended entrance for first time visitors. It also hosts a small but robust aquarium exhibiting inhabitants in the waters and lands of the James River and the Chesapeake Bay system. The animals include turtles, fishes, crabs, frogs and alligators, with the highlight of them being the river otters living in the largest tank. The visitors can admire the fluid movements of the otters above and beneath water, with their cute, soothing and relaxing interactions.

 

Birthday party!

Birthday party!

For families and animal lovers, the children’s farm and the wildlife exhibition are exciting attractions, additional to the gardens and plants. The farm host a collection of common poultries and livestock, including chickens, ducks, rabbits, goats, sheeps, pigs, cows, horses, and donkey. They are well-tempered, and close encounters between them and visitors are common. The wildlife exhibition is a nearby enclosed area where the estate settles some rescued animals, including American bisons, black beers, foxes and hawks. For cat lovers, the exhibition also has a tamed bobcat available for close encounters.

Maymont Children's Farm

 

Gallery

 

Hours:
Daily
April-September, 10am-7pm
October-March, 10am-5pm
Free admission

Location:
Nature and Visitor Center
2201 Shields Lake Drive, Richmond, VA, 23220

Website:
https://maymont.org/

 

 

ENG

Short Pump Town Center

Sarah Bice ·

Short Pump Town Center during Christmas.

Short Pump Town Center during Christmas.

Located in Henrico County, and to the west of Richmond City, Short Pump Town Center was Opened in September 4, 2003. It is an open-air shopping center composed of upscale stores, including anchor chain stores like Macy's, Nordstrom, Dick's Sporting Goods, Dillard's, Crate & Barrel; and flagship retails like Apple, Sephora, Zara and Victoria’s Secret. Along with a notable dining service, Short Pump Town Center acts as a famous weekend gathering and shopping place for people in Richmond city, West End, and Henrico County. In the recent years, Short Pump Town Center also introduces a new selection of retail shops at mid and low price ranges, such as H&M, American Eagles, ALDO and Urban Outfitters.

Being high-end, Short Pump Town Center is famous for its garden-style, non-hassle shopping experience. Clusters of seasonal flowers and greens, trees, bushes, water fountains, playgrounds and shops and mixed well together in this open space, to create a satisfying environment. In Short Pump, you can search for your favourite brand picks, enjoy coffee in a corner, watch the kids play, walk around the gardens, or do all of them. The space is very clean and well-maintained, and the shops are blended into it pleasantly. The whole experience is offering a lifestyle to the customers alongside with the products. Short Pump Town Center is one of the largest and most well-known shopping centers in the Greater Richmond Area.

Short Pump Town Center has several sales events year round—like spring and summer sales—with the biggest and most famous one being Black Friday. In the day following Thanksgiving Day, Short Pump will team up with the nearby shopping stops, such as Bestbuy and Barnes&Noble, to offer deep discounts. The discounts, combined with a soaring increase of customer traffic flow, makes Black Friday a local event. People will even wait for hours starting at Thursday night to chase down the discount opportunity for their wish lists.

Touring train for kids and their parents circles around the shopping center.

Gallery

Hours
Open 365 days a year.
Monday to Saturday: 10 am – 9 pm
Sunday: 11 am – 6 pm
Restaurant hours may vary.

Address
11800 West Broad Street Richmond, VA 23233

Information
804-360-1700

Website
http://www.shortpumpmall.com/

 

ENG

Monument Avenue

Sarah Bice ·

Lee Circle. 

Lee Circle. 

Monument Avenue is a famous landmark in Richmond, Virginia. It is also one of the largest Confederate monuments in the United States. It is the traditional focal point of Richmond—with the Lee circle being the center of Richmond city, and also a popular tourist destination. "Monument Avenue Historic District" is listed as a National Historic Landmark District. In 2007, the American Planning Association ranked Monument Avenue one of the 10 Great Streets in the country. It was selected for the “historic architecture, urban form, quality residential and religious architecture, diversity of land uses, public art and integration of multiple modes of transportation” (Richmond Times Dispatch, APA).

Monument avenue is a preserved historical avenue with a tree-lined grassy mall in the center dividing the east- and westbound traffic, with five statues memorializing Virginian Confederate participants of the Civil War Robert E. Lee, J.E.B. Stuart, Jefferson Davis, Thomas "Stonewall"Jackson, and Matthew Fontaine Maury. These five statues were erected between 1890 to 1929, with Lee’s one being the first. Most of the buildings alongside the avenue, including many architecturally significant ones, were also built around this era. The sixth statue, Arthur Ashe, a Richmond native and international tennis star, was added in 1996 near the West End section of the avenue.

The Confederate Monuments (Robert E. Lee, J.E.B. Stuart, and Jefferson Davis).

The prominent placements of these Confederate statues has been debated from the very start after the completion of Lee’s one. The debates have infused more broader discussions about how to represent and narrate Richmond’s history — the former Capital of the Confederacy. Alongside with the 127-year-long debate, the importance of Monument Avenue continued to rise, turning the once tobacco fields into today’s famed historical landmark. Several events are held annually, including the locally-famous spring Monument Avenue 10K race, and the "Easter on Parade,” which is also in spring. The blocks has been a flavored, high-end living area for Richmond’s upper class, especially in the Fan section. Monument Avenue has also become well-known for the memorials and the preserved historical buildings, contributing a solid part to Richmond’s tourism industry. In June 2017, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has appointed a 10-member commission to “study ways to add context to these memorials, likely with new historical signage” (Richmond Times Dispatch).

The Monument of Arthur Ashe.

The Monument of Arthur Ashe.

The avenue itself, aside from the statues, has significant beauty on its own. The best season to experience the avenue is Spring and Autumn. In Spring, blooming floras and cherry blossom trees make Monument Avenue a miles-long strip of lively, delightful flowers and new leaves. In autumn, the avenue has clusters of trees dyed in red, amber and yellow, while the grassy malls are covered in thick leaves. The avenue also has various magnificent buildings, including several churches and chapels, the Stuart court building, and the Branch Museum — which is built by John Russell Pope, the architect behind the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.. The avenue’s section between Lombardy Street and Boulevard is paved in stone, which has reduced the speed of traffic and created an enjoyable slow-ride experience. Another great way to experience Monument Avenue is to walk or jog on the grass mall in the center, while cycling is also an option on the sidewalks.

The majority of the houses on Monument Avenue are in Colonial style, with some exceptions.

 

Monument Avenue in sunset

 

Branch Museum, and a Church

Location:
1603-3681 Monument Ave,
Richmond, VA 23220

 

ENG

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA)

Sarah Bice ·

VMFA exterior.

VMFA exterior.

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, or VMFA for short, is an art museum in Richmond, Virginia, which opened in 1936. The museum is owned and operated by the Commonwealth of Virginia, while private donations, funds and general supports are also used for the support of specific programs and acquisitions of artworks. Admission to the museum and its general collection is free, while the museum membership provides free parking, free admission for special exhibitions, shop discounts, and other benefits.

Museum garden.Artwork on view: Chloe, 2016; by Jaume Plensa (b. 1955).

Museum garden.

Artwork on view: Chloe, 2016; by Jaume Plensa (b. 1955).

VMFA is one of the first museums to be operated by state funds in the middle and south of America. It is also one of the largest art museums in North America. VMFA ranks as one of the top ten comprehensive art museums in the United States. The museum, together with the adjacent Virginia Historical Society, anchors the "Museum District" of Richmond, a historical area between Boulevard and Carytown in the upper Fan District.

VMFA exterior views, entrance and garden.

As a comprehensive art museum, VMFA has divided its encyclopedic, permanent collections into several broad curatorial departments as the galleries. They include:

African Art:
art from central and north Africa, before and after the colonial period.

American art:
classical, popular, and vernacular artworks from the United States.

Ancient American art:
art and relics from Indian Americans and pre-colonial South American empires.

Ancient art:
art and relics from ancient Egypt, Greece, Phrygian, Etruscan, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations.

Art Nouveau and Art Deco: 
the museum’s highlight, including artworks from Hector Guimard, the Vienna Secession, Peter Behrens, and Frank Lloyd Wright.

East Asian art:
art from Imperial China, Japan and Korea.

European art:
this collections has classical and Renaissance works by Bacchiacca, Murillo, Poussin, Rosa, Gentileschi, Goya,and Bouguereau.

English silver:
a collection of 18th and 19th century English silver works.

Fabergé:
the world's largest collection of Fabergé eggs outside of Russia, includes five Imperial Easter Eggs.

The South Asian collection:
works from what is today India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Tibet.

Modern & Contemporary

Example/highlighted artworks.

Rotating Sphere (1968-69); Arnaldo Pomodoro (b. 1926);
Buddha Watching TV, 1974/1977; Nam June Paik (1932-2006);
American furniture art;
Art History Is Not Linear (VMFA), 2009; Ryan McGinness (b. 1972);

Special Exhibitions:
In addition to the permanent collections, VMFA presents special, usually season-long exhibitions of artwork from its own and others' collections, and work of active artists. Check https://vmfa.museum/exhibitions/at-the-museum/ for details.

VMFA interiors.

The museum also provides tours, family visits, young education programs, art experiences, and libraries for the public. Museum fellowship and residence are available for active artists and designers. The museum garden and cafe provide public space, dining and happy hour specials. Friday night events take place in the garden as well, featuring a variety of musical performances from local and national artists.

Museum Hours
Open 365 days a year.
Saturday to Wednesday: 10 am – 5 pm
Thursday and Friday: until 9 pm
Free admission for general exhibitions

Membership (year subscription fee)
Individual $60
Dual/Family $95
Student $10

Address
200 N. Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220

Information
804.340.1400

Library
Mon – Fri: noon – 5 pm

Website
https://vmfa.museum

 

ENG

Belle Isle

Sarah Bice ·

Belle Isle river bank with train passing.

Belle Isle is an uninhabited island on the shallow beds of James River. It hosted a village and a prison during the Civil War, and hosted a hydroelectric power plant in the 20th century until 1963. Now, being owned by the state, Belle Isle serves as a scenic city park with wildlife in its natural habitat, as a location only a few minutes away from the heart of downtown Richmond city. The island is open to pedestrian and bicycle traffic via a suspension footbridge that runs under the Robert E. Lee Bridge from the northern shore of the James. Except when the water level of the James River is high, Belle Isle is also reachable by foot from the southern shore via easy boulder-hopping. From Belle Isle, people can observe Browns Island, Hollywood Cemetery, Forest Hill park, the old Tredegar Iron Works, and Richmond City's skyline. Belle Isle has several bike and foot trails around the island, with many old and ruined buildings, among other run-down sites and railways along the trails.

The suspension bridge entrance.

The suspension bridge entrance.

Because Belle Isle contains enough vegetation, without the interference of constant human activities, the island is home to several wildlife, an uncommon presence within the city's borders. Songbirds, ducks, cormorants and blue herons are a common sight. Squirrels, other small mammals, amphibians and reptiles also inhabit the island. Belle Isle is a great place for safe weekend getaways and outdoor adventures. Popular activities of adults and youths alike include walking the trails, swimming in the James River, rock jumping, sunbathing, birdwatching, kayaking and rafting in the James, and boulder-top picnicking only feet away from fierce rapids.

Belle Isle is close to the open, grassy Browns Island as another city park. Browns Island offers industrial structures and waterway views, historical sites (the old Tredegar Iron Works, now Virginia Civil War Center), walking paths, and concerts. The yearly Richmond Folk Music Festival takes places here. The scenic T. Tyler Potterfield Pedestrian Bridge connects Browns Island to the southbank of James River. The pedestrian bridge runs alongside with the remains of the old Mayo bridge from the Civil War era. The southbank of James River also provides connection to Bells Isle when the water level is not high. These two islands, bridges and historical sites function as a recreational and educational complex, as part of the James River Park system, and the crown of Richmond city.

Richmond, old and new.

Richmond, old and new.

Views from Browns Island:

Hours
Open 365 days a year.
8:30 am – 9:30 pm (summer)
8:30 am – 5:30 pm (winter)

Address (Browns Island, access to Belle Isle via suspension bridge)
S 7th St, Richmond, VA 23219

Website
Bells Isle: http://www.jamesriverpark.org/visit-the-park/getting-there.php
Browns Island: http://www.brownsisland.com/