Lawyer plans to build restaurant overlooking Swift Creek Reservoir

Reservoir main Restaurant4

The view of the Swift Creek Reservoir from the future home of a restaurant planned for 14801 Genito Road. (Mike Platania photo)

A waterfront restaurant project in Chesterfield County is charging ahead, despite not having an operator on the books.

lawyer

James Williams III

James Williams III is planning to build a 6,000-square-foot restaurant at 14801 Genito Road, a roughly 4-acre parcel overlooking the Swift Creek Reservoir.

Williams, who’s a principal at local personal injury law firm Burnett & Williams, said he’s in discussions with some interested operators, but hasn’t signed a deal with anyone yet.

“The property is just ideal. It faces west, so you can have something to eat and watch the sunset over the water,” Williams said. “It’s going to be absolutely stunning, the vision I have for it.”

Last week Chesterfield’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Williams’ conditional-use permit application for the site, paving the way for the restaurant.

“Clover Hill is not the restaurant capital of Chesterfield County. But with this project, we’re getting closer,” said Clover Hill district supervisor Chris Winslow at last week’s meeting.

reservoirrestaurant1

A rendering of the restaurant planned to overlook Swift Creek Reservoir. (County documents)

Williams bought the land for $285,000 in 2010 with the idea of building a house on it, but eventually changed plans.

“We thought more and more about it. It’s a busy intersection, and I thought, you know what, a better use for this thing is something commercial,” Williams said.

While Williams said he’s previously invested in commercial real estate, this is his first development project. He said he’s hopeful to find someone who’s got experience in the restaurant industry to team up with.

Will Shewmake of recently merged law firm Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black represented Williams in the entitlement process. Architecture firm 3North designed the early renderings of the restaurant, and Balzer & Associates is the engineer on the project.

After holding the land for over a decade, Williams said he’s excited to see the project come to life.

“It’s a legacy project, in that I’d like to see something there that’s a destination,” Williams said. “It’s going to be an awesome place once it’s done.”

Another waterfront property nearby recently came available at 4000 Island Park Court, a nearly 7,000-square-foot mansion on the reservoir. The house was listed in June for $2.1 million.

Reservoir main Restaurant4

The view of the Swift Creek Reservoir from the future home of a restaurant planned for 14801 Genito Road. (Mike Platania photo)

A waterfront restaurant project in Chesterfield County is charging ahead, despite not having an operator on the books.

lawyer

James Williams III

James Williams III is planning to build a 6,000-square-foot restaurant at 14801 Genito Road, a roughly 4-acre parcel overlooking the Swift Creek Reservoir.

Williams, who’s a principal at local personal injury law firm Burnett & Williams, said he’s in discussions with some interested operators, but hasn’t signed a deal with anyone yet.

“The property is just ideal. It faces west, so you can have something to eat and watch the sunset over the water,” Williams said. “It’s going to be absolutely stunning, the vision I have for it.”

Last week Chesterfield’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Williams’ conditional-use permit application for the site, paving the way for the restaurant.

“Clover Hill is not the restaurant capital of Chesterfield County. But with this project, we’re getting closer,” said Clover Hill district supervisor Chris Winslow at last week’s meeting.

reservoirrestaurant1

A rendering of the restaurant planned to overlook Swift Creek Reservoir. (County documents)

Williams bought the land for $285,000 in 2010 with the idea of building a house on it, but eventually changed plans.

“We thought more and more about it. It’s a busy intersection, and I thought, you know what, a better use for this thing is something commercial,” Williams said.

While Williams said he’s previously invested in commercial real estate, this is his first development project. He said he’s hopeful to find someone who’s got experience in the restaurant industry to team up with.

Will Shewmake of recently merged law firm Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black represented Williams in the entitlement process. Architecture firm 3North designed the early renderings of the restaurant, and Balzer & Associates is the engineer on the project.

After holding the land for over a decade, Williams said he’s excited to see the project come to life.

“It’s a legacy project, in that I’d like to see something there that’s a destination,” Williams said. “It’s going to be an awesome place once it’s done.”

Another waterfront property nearby recently came available at 4000 Island Park Court, a nearly 7,000-square-foot mansion on the reservoir. The house was listed in June for $2.1 million.

This story is for our paid subscribers only. Please become one of the thousands of BizSense Pro readers today!

Your subscription has expired. Renew now by choosing a subscription below!

For more informaiton, head over to your profile.

Profile


SUBSCRIBE NOW

 — 

 — 

 — 

TERMS OF SERVICE:

ALL MEMBERSHIPS RENEW AUTOMATICALLY. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR A 1 YEAR MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL AT THE RATE IN EFFECT AT THAT TIME UNLESS YOU CANCEL YOUR MEMBERSHIP BY LOGGING IN OR BY CONTACTING [email protected].

ALL CHARGES FOR MONTHLY OR ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS ARE NONREFUNDABLE.

EACH MEMBERSHIP WILL ONLY FUNCTION ON UP TO 3 MACHINES. ACCOUNTS ABUSING THAT LIMIT WILL BE DISCONTINUED.

FOR ASSISTANCE WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP PLEASE EMAIL [email protected]




Return to Homepage

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

10 Comments
oldest
newest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Bruce Milam
Bruce Milam
2 years ago

It’s an outstanding location no doubt and could be a destination dining experience and event space. I hope this works for him.

Debbie Reading
Debbie Reading
2 years ago

I hope he gives The Boathouse at Sunday Park a run for their money. Prices are exorbitant, no service and they still charge you 20% for putting your own order in on top of charging an extra $5/pp to sit on the deck because of the view! Glad he is getting some competition!!

Karen Shipman
Karen Shipman
2 years ago
Reply to  Debbie Reading

Wait…$5 per person? The charge itself is ridiculous but over the top to charge each person.

Brett Hunnicutt
Brett Hunnicutt
2 years ago

I always thought that this would be a great location for a produce market like Pole Green. I remember that this property was for sale a few years ago. With the setbacks required from the water, plus parking needs, I didn’t think there would be much room left for a building. Hopefully they can make it work. Good luck!

Rick Bishop
Rick Bishop
2 years ago

Can’t wait!

Leon Phoenix
Leon Phoenix
2 years ago

Consider a Captain George’s type of restaurant. There are very few places in Richmond with all-you-can-eat crab legs, and we’ll often drive to Williamsburg just for the experience.

karl hott
karl hott
2 years ago

Every lawyer needs a restaurant.

Chris Crews
Chris Crews
2 years ago
Reply to  karl hott

…and every restaurant needs a lawyer.

Jonathan Niemiec
Jonathan Niemiec
2 years ago

This place needs a traditional British Fish & Chip Restaurant!

Carey Perkins
Carey Perkins
2 years ago

I can’t think of anything less appealing than trying to enjoy dinner while staring into the glaring western sun.