Henrico shopping center to be razed for 350-unit mixed-use project

11R Laurel Park 2

New York-based Aurelie Capital is planning to redevelop 16 acres at 2314 Hungary Road, where the 56-year-old Laurel Park Shopping Center currently stands, into a mixed-use project with 350 apartments and 12,000 square feet of retail space. (Rendering)

A firm from the Big Apple has big plans for the site of a mostly vacant Henrico shopping center.

New York-based Aurelie Capital is planning a mixed-use development with 350 apartment units and 12,000 square feet of retail space on 16 acres at 2314 Hungary Road, where the 56-year-old Laurel Park Shopping Center currently stands.

The project, named Laurel Park in documents submitted to the county, would partly face Woodman Road and include 72 townhome-style apartments spread across a dozen buildings. The remaining 278 units are split between two buildings, one of which would be a C-shaped building wrapping around a courtyard and pool.

Each building would be three stories tall and be connected to one another with walking trails. More than 400 parking spaces are included in the plans.

11R Laurel Park 3Documents on file show the retail building would have an outdoor dining patio.

Aurelie is a four-year-old firm that first got a taste for the Richmond market in 2018 when it bought the Millspring Commons apartments, a 159-unit complex located about two miles west of Laurel Park’s proposed site.

Aurelie sold the Millspring apartments in February for $28.5 million and a month later purchased the Laurel Park site for $1.5 million, county records show.

“We got to know the area from (the Millspring Apartments),” said Pavan Malhotra, Aurelie’s founder. “We saw the demand and thought this was great, and in an area that we believe in.”

11R Laurel Park 5

The Laurel Park Shopping Center.

Malhotra said they’d ideally like to break ground on Laurel Park sometime in mid-2021 and complete construction the following year. But before that happens, Aurelie needs rezoning approval from Henrico County.

The land is currently zoned B-2C Business District, and Aurelie is seeking to rezone it to R-6C General Residence District. The firm is also seeking a provisional use permit that would allow commercial uses.

The project was slated to be voted on by Henrico’s Planning Commission at its meeting last week, but was deferred about a month. It’s now likely to be heard at the Planning Commission’s Oct. 15 meeting.

Attorney Andy Condlin of Roth Jackson is representing Aurelie in the rezoning process. Poole & Poole Architecture is the project’s architect.

While Laurel Park looks to get moving, a smaller project is well underway nearby at the intersection of Hungary and Woodman roads. A new-construction Dunkin’ is currently being built at 2300 Hungary Road.

 

11R Laurel Park 2

New York-based Aurelie Capital is planning to redevelop 16 acres at 2314 Hungary Road, where the 56-year-old Laurel Park Shopping Center currently stands, into a mixed-use project with 350 apartments and 12,000 square feet of retail space. (Rendering)

A firm from the Big Apple has big plans for the site of a mostly vacant Henrico shopping center.

New York-based Aurelie Capital is planning a mixed-use development with 350 apartment units and 12,000 square feet of retail space on 16 acres at 2314 Hungary Road, where the 56-year-old Laurel Park Shopping Center currently stands.

The project, named Laurel Park in documents submitted to the county, would partly face Woodman Road and include 72 townhome-style apartments spread across a dozen buildings. The remaining 278 units are split between two buildings, one of which would be a C-shaped building wrapping around a courtyard and pool.

Each building would be three stories tall and be connected to one another with walking trails. More than 400 parking spaces are included in the plans.

11R Laurel Park 3Documents on file show the retail building would have an outdoor dining patio.

Aurelie is a four-year-old firm that first got a taste for the Richmond market in 2018 when it bought the Millspring Commons apartments, a 159-unit complex located about two miles west of Laurel Park’s proposed site.

Aurelie sold the Millspring apartments in February for $28.5 million and a month later purchased the Laurel Park site for $1.5 million, county records show.

“We got to know the area from (the Millspring Apartments),” said Pavan Malhotra, Aurelie’s founder. “We saw the demand and thought this was great, and in an area that we believe in.”

11R Laurel Park 5

The Laurel Park Shopping Center.

Malhotra said they’d ideally like to break ground on Laurel Park sometime in mid-2021 and complete construction the following year. But before that happens, Aurelie needs rezoning approval from Henrico County.

The land is currently zoned B-2C Business District, and Aurelie is seeking to rezone it to R-6C General Residence District. The firm is also seeking a provisional use permit that would allow commercial uses.

The project was slated to be voted on by Henrico’s Planning Commission at its meeting last week, but was deferred about a month. It’s now likely to be heard at the Planning Commission’s Oct. 15 meeting.

Attorney Andy Condlin of Roth Jackson is representing Aurelie in the rezoning process. Poole & Poole Architecture is the project’s architect.

While Laurel Park looks to get moving, a smaller project is well underway nearby at the intersection of Hungary and Woodman roads. A new-construction Dunkin’ is currently being built at 2300 Hungary Road.

 

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Bruce Milam
Bruce Milam
3 years ago

This development could be the catalyst to revitalize that section of the county. That intersection is riddled with delapidated buildings and poorly aged gas stations and auto shops. It’s time for something new and exciting. I was pleased to represent such a forward looking developer in the purchase of this land.

Jamal Henry
Jamal Henry
3 years ago
Reply to  Bruce Milam

You mean a catalyst to get rid of the poor minorities. BLM

Clark Peterson
Clark Peterson
3 years ago
Reply to  Jamal Henry

It’s not replacing any housing that is occupied by poor minorities. What’s the basis for your claim?

Michael Dodson
Michael Dodson
3 years ago

No mention in the article but was the delay caused in part by concerns from the nearby residential neighborhoods?

Teresa Burton
Teresa Burton
3 years ago

I hope it doesnt get approved

Sean Stilwell
Sean Stilwell
3 years ago

I’m confused by the comments… how is this a bad place for a townhouse development? The corner of two major roads seems like the infrastructure suited for population, and the current site use is obviously not working. We have a need for housing here, not retail. Honest question, what’s the piece I’m missing?

Stephen Stahl
Stephen Stahl
3 years ago
Reply to  Sean Stilwell

The Richmond Area Bicycling Assoc has been using the parking lot as a Staging area for their rides for many years. Sorry to see that we will have to move, but progress marches on.
The development should be a big improvement for the area, & no families will be displaced.

Bruce Milam
Bruce Milam
3 years ago
Reply to  Stephen Stahl

The developer would love to see you return after construction. Hes a competitive cyclist.

Keith Van Inwegen
Keith Van Inwegen
3 years ago
Reply to  Bruce Milam

I doubt the residents will welcome 40 – 60 cars every Saturday morning and if the development can accommodate those cars, then it has too much parking.

joe sutphin
joe sutphin
3 years ago

yippie. this is a great start. please revitelize the city and stop urban sprawl. chesterfield and midlothian are stuffed. please utilize the city better. we are topped out. get the crime out of the city. someone needs to get it straight in richmond now.

Theresa E Hayes
Theresa E Hayes
3 years ago

I do hope this will be mixed affordable rental housing. Any chance some single level units can be incorporated for those with disabilities who are limited by steps?

Michael Reyes
Michael Reyes
3 years ago

This is great news. I agree with Bruce Milam, this could be a catalyst in my neighborhood. I will patronize the retail that will be built here.