Former cookie factory gets a new name

The water tower atop the former factory. (Photos by David Larter)

The water tower atop the former factory. (Photos by David Larter)

The Interbake cookie factory’s new incarnation was born Wednesday.

In a demolition kick-off ceremony at the site, developers Rebkee and Steve Leibovic knocked down the first wall on the first floor of the 240,000-square-foot compound.

The company plans to put 178 apartments in the building – now called “The Boulevard” – followed by a retail component.

The project, financed by Wells Fargo, will cost about $23 million.

The building's new name was unveiled Wednesday.

The building’s new name was unveiled Wednesday.

Interbake-interior

Inside the former Interbake cookie factory.

The view from the building's roof.

The view from the building’s roof.

The water tower atop the former factory. (Photos by David Larter)

The water tower atop the former factory. (Photos by David Larter)

The Interbake cookie factory’s new incarnation was born Wednesday.

In a demolition kick-off ceremony at the site, developers Rebkee and Steve Leibovic knocked down the first wall on the first floor of the 240,000-square-foot compound.

The company plans to put 178 apartments in the building – now called “The Boulevard” – followed by a retail component.

The project, financed by Wells Fargo, will cost about $23 million.

The building's new name was unveiled Wednesday.

The building’s new name was unveiled Wednesday.

Interbake-interior

Inside the former Interbake cookie factory.

The view from the building's roof.

The view from the building’s roof.

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Phil H.
Phil H.
11 years ago

Is there really this much pent up demand for apartments in Richmond?

Andrew
Andrew
11 years ago
Reply to  Phil H.

With the amount of people who can not qualify to purchase a home these days apartments are in need and many are full or close to it.

Holly Grady
Holly Grady
11 years ago

“The Boulevard”….now that’s original……why didn’t they throw in “Lofts” or “Factory” in there as well since every apartment complex has one of those words in it.

Andrew
Andrew
11 years ago
Reply to  Holly Grady

Nobody ever said developers were known for their creative project names.

Jay
Jay
11 years ago
Reply to  Holly Grady

@HollyGrady

Why choose? Make it The Boulevard Factory Lofts. And put a Froyo shop and a crossfit gym on the ground floor.

FreeEthan
FreeEthan
11 years ago
Reply to  Jay

Now that’s just plain funny! [Names aside, I’m very glad to see this project happening. I live about 8 blocks from there.]

Fran Kay
Fran Kay
11 years ago

With the wonderful sign already there ,too bad they did not follow the John Marshall’s example and come up with a way to incorporate FFV in the name!
fran

camims
camims
11 years ago

Actually, yes there is a pent up demand for apartments in Richmond -DECENT, AFFORDABLE apartments. Sure hope this facility will offer at least a percentage of affordable apartments to allow for an economically diverse “neighborhood”. As for the name, why not “The Boulevard”. Its as good as any. What would you suggest…something similar to the more “charming” names as The Gardens, The Flats, The Madison? …all extremely original. At least The Boulevard gives a geographical reference.

Mary Lee Schultz
Mary Lee Schultz
11 years ago

I hope the FFV sign stays. It is a stable of the Richmond Skyline, even though it has been dark for years. Personally, I would have incorporated something with cookies in the name, especially since it was a cookie factory for so many years.

Jason
Jason
11 years ago

@Camims
Interesting…A report for the Partnership for Affordable Housing suggests there’s a glut of affordable housing in the city of Richmond and a lack of affordable housing in Chesterfield and Henrico.

Also don’t understand why people can’t imagine there might actually be population growth in the city. Richmond needs more tax paying residents to offset all the poverty it’s subsidizing.

John Lindner
John Lindner
11 years ago

Please keep the sign. What about The Boulevard at FFV? It gives you history and modernity.

New brands are great. But why throw out the equity of the building’s own long-standing brand? If you’re marketing this as a hip, refurbished factory, you don’t want to obliterate the history with your new name.

Mike
Mike
11 years ago

“The Cookie Monster” …with a big 3D likeness of CM himself taking a bite out of the corner of the building….sweet.

Ted
Ted
11 years ago

I assume the sign will stay for historic tax credits.

Beth
Beth
11 years ago

“The Boulevard” is already taken (by, er, THE BOULEVARD.) Someone says they live in the boulevard, I think they’re homeless living in the street.

Brett
Brett
11 years ago

This is going to be an amazing project. I can’t wait to see the final product. It doesn’t matter what they named it, people would like it. Thank you so much for investing in the city. I disagree with some of the folks on here. I am all for saving old buildings but leaving up the old signs is kind of ridiculous. It is especially confusing for those from out of town. This mainly goes for the John Marshall.

Brett
Brett
11 years ago
Reply to  Brett

ha, meant they “wouldn’t” like it

Doctor W
Doctor W
11 years ago

I Think they should rethink the name. .The people that are going to be renting out these units would most likely roll their eyes at ““The Boulevard” . I second that they should include cookie into the name. Menial critism, aside I really look foward to seeing the refurbished building.

Joey
Joey
11 years ago

Why not call it the cookie cutter lofts?

Reality Check
Reality Check
11 years ago

Why don’t all of you pony up $23,000,000 and you can name it anything you want ! I can’t stand whiners.

Jackson
Jackson
11 years ago

Sick of all the haters here. Good grief. A great development — literally and figuratively — for Richmond and all some of you want to do is complain. Shut up and get over all your negativity.

alan
alan
11 years ago

Have the developers released any renderings of what the units may look like inside? How they make use of the huge windows is critical. What is the projected price range for units.