The complex is known for its Art Deco-style main building. (J. Elias O’Neal)
The Model Tobacco property in South Richmond is back in play for resurrection, as a Maryland-based developer has an acquisition in the works and recently purchased neighboring parcels.
The long-dormant 15-acre site at 1000 and 1100 Jefferson Davis Highway – known for its Art Deco-style main building – is under contract to C.A. Harrison Cos., according to multiple sources familiar with the deal.
Principal Chris Harrison would not comment when reached Wednesday.
Harrison has an application set to go before Richmond City Council next week to update provisions of an existing zoning agreement for the site that was approved for another developer in 2008. The city planning commission recommended approval of Harrison’s application on Monday.
The application does not include specific plans for the property, which is already zoned as mixed use.
Charles and Eileen Keck have owned the property for years. Charles Keck would not comment on the status of the property when reached by phone.
Harrison also has applied to rezone for mixed use a collection of adjacent parcels at 210 and 212 Brinser St.; 101,103,105,115, and 117 Thurman St.; and 2400 Elton St. – 2.6 acres of mostly vacant land the company purchased in May for a combined $190,000.
Also this week, Alabama-based Capstone Building Corp., the general contractor of the pending project, hosted a pre-construction walkthrough of the Model complex for contractors looking to bid on the project.
One of the changes recommended by the city’s planning commission includes scrapping an indoor pool in the power plant building. (J. Elias O’Neal)
The Model Tobacco complex is comprised of seven buildings, most notably the iconic, six-story building fronting Jefferson Davis Highway that dates to 1940.
The property was most recently assessed for about $5.1 million, according to city real estate records.
C.A. Harrison specializes in a variety of mixed-use and multifamily development throughout Washington, D.C., North Carolina and Virginia — primarily throughout metro Richmond.
The firm developed The Argon apartments on Cutshaw Avenue in the West End and the 2001 East apartments on East Broad Street in Union Hill.
Farther south in Petersburg, the company is slated to begin work on a $20 million, mixed-use project on the site of the former Ramada Inn at 380 E. Washington St., along with parcels of land at 326 and 400 E. Washington St. The city purchased the site for $750,000 in March.
A historic throwback to Richmond’s rich tobacco history, the Model Tobacco facility has been eyed for mixed-use redevelopment for decades — part of the city’s plan to jump-start investment along the struggling Jefferson Davis business corridor, which at its prime sustained several neighborhoods in the area.
Harrison’s application to the city mentions that the site was slated to be redeveloped into 600 apartment units and include a mix of commercial uses in 2012. But that project never came to fruition, despite growing private interest in the site.
The changes Harrison seeks in his zoning amendment application include removing a requirement for an indoor swimming pool in the site’s former power plant building behind the main six-story structure. Instead, the developer is planning to construct an outdoor pool.
The firm also is seeking to amend an agreement requiring a landscaping, parking and streetscape plan be provided to the planning department prior to any building permits being issued — although it doesn’t disclose what it wants amended.
A document in the applications lists several other provisions put in place by the Kecks this year, including one that prohibits demolition of the Art Deco building and the former power plant facility. Two warehousing facilities at the corner of Jefferson Davis Highway and Hopkins Road also must be preserved, along with another small warehousing complex near the water tower on the property. The developer also must preserve the “Model Tobacco” signage on both ends of the six-story building.
The complex is known for its Art Deco-style main building. (J. Elias O’Neal)
The Model Tobacco property in South Richmond is back in play for resurrection, as a Maryland-based developer has an acquisition in the works and recently purchased neighboring parcels.
The long-dormant 15-acre site at 1000 and 1100 Jefferson Davis Highway – known for its Art Deco-style main building – is under contract to C.A. Harrison Cos., according to multiple sources familiar with the deal.
Principal Chris Harrison would not comment when reached Wednesday.
Harrison has an application set to go before Richmond City Council next week to update provisions of an existing zoning agreement for the site that was approved for another developer in 2008. The city planning commission recommended approval of Harrison’s application on Monday.
The application does not include specific plans for the property, which is already zoned as mixed use.
Charles and Eileen Keck have owned the property for years. Charles Keck would not comment on the status of the property when reached by phone.
Harrison also has applied to rezone for mixed use a collection of adjacent parcels at 210 and 212 Brinser St.; 101,103,105,115, and 117 Thurman St.; and 2400 Elton St. – 2.6 acres of mostly vacant land the company purchased in May for a combined $190,000.
Also this week, Alabama-based Capstone Building Corp., the general contractor of the pending project, hosted a pre-construction walkthrough of the Model complex for contractors looking to bid on the project.
One of the changes recommended by the city’s planning commission includes scrapping an indoor pool in the power plant building. (J. Elias O’Neal)
The Model Tobacco complex is comprised of seven buildings, most notably the iconic, six-story building fronting Jefferson Davis Highway that dates to 1940.
The property was most recently assessed for about $5.1 million, according to city real estate records.
C.A. Harrison specializes in a variety of mixed-use and multifamily development throughout Washington, D.C., North Carolina and Virginia — primarily throughout metro Richmond.
The firm developed The Argon apartments on Cutshaw Avenue in the West End and the 2001 East apartments on East Broad Street in Union Hill.
Farther south in Petersburg, the company is slated to begin work on a $20 million, mixed-use project on the site of the former Ramada Inn at 380 E. Washington St., along with parcels of land at 326 and 400 E. Washington St. The city purchased the site for $750,000 in March.
A historic throwback to Richmond’s rich tobacco history, the Model Tobacco facility has been eyed for mixed-use redevelopment for decades — part of the city’s plan to jump-start investment along the struggling Jefferson Davis business corridor, which at its prime sustained several neighborhoods in the area.
Harrison’s application to the city mentions that the site was slated to be redeveloped into 600 apartment units and include a mix of commercial uses in 2012. But that project never came to fruition, despite growing private interest in the site.
The changes Harrison seeks in his zoning amendment application include removing a requirement for an indoor swimming pool in the site’s former power plant building behind the main six-story structure. Instead, the developer is planning to construct an outdoor pool.
The firm also is seeking to amend an agreement requiring a landscaping, parking and streetscape plan be provided to the planning department prior to any building permits being issued — although it doesn’t disclose what it wants amended.
A document in the applications lists several other provisions put in place by the Kecks this year, including one that prohibits demolition of the Art Deco building and the former power plant facility. Two warehousing facilities at the corner of Jefferson Davis Highway and Hopkins Road also must be preserved, along with another small warehousing complex near the water tower on the property. The developer also must preserve the “Model Tobacco” signage on both ends of the six-story building.
Nice story about this cool property. Thanks for all the context: details, background on various proposals and history of the site and area.
The Model Tobacco building is one of the most beautiful buildings in central VA. I grew up near the building and it helped form a lifelong interest in architecture. The masonry work is perfect. I can’t wait for this piece of art to get a new life. Good luck to the developer, and thanks to the Keck’s for insisting that the character is preserved.
Clarification they want to removed the language that preserves the building? But save the signs built into it?
Yeah, and what is the point of keeping those ugly warehouses at the corner of Hopkins and J.D? The empty warehouses is what gives J.D such an eye sore. wasted potential
It’s safe to assume they won’t remain empty for long.
it’s a beautiful building but an incredible challenge because of the number of units involved in stabilizing it. It will be interesting to see the strategy. Let’s all wish Harrison success.
Really interested to see where they go with this project. It’s a great building and will have it’s challenges but the biggest challenge is the neighborhood. Hopefully this will begin to turn it around.
You’re kidding right?
I think this could be great. Especially if this ever gets on the Pulse bus line.
VCU students are pushing the working class out of the fan, downtown and Manchester, this is badly needed.
I just hope they avoid whatever happened to the hotel in front of Scotts Addition