Hickok Cole has moved into the East Coast Freight Lines building in Scott’s Addition. (Photos courtesy Hickok Cole)
After three years in the Arts District, the Richmond office of D.C.-based design firm Hickok Cole has moved to larger digs in a neighborhood it previously called home.
The office has relocated to 3005 W. Marshall St., taking a 3,800-square-foot space in the East Coast Freight Lines building at Marshall and Altamont Avenue in Scott’s Addition.
The space, previously filled by healthcare tech startup Workpath, is more than twice the size of the 1,500-square-foot storefront Hickok Cole previously occupied at 20 E. Broad St., where it had been since 2020.
Jessica Zullo
Jessica Zullo, associate principal and director of Hickok Cole’s Richmond Studio, said the move was prompted by the office’s growth in that time, from a team of six in 2020 to 13 today.
“That space in Arts District was great and perfect for us, but ultimately we grew faster than we anticipated and needed more space for our designers and architects and staff,” Zullo said.
“We’re urban designers at heart and we love being a part of the city, whether that’s in Scott’s Addition or the Arts District,” she said. “We have a history in Scott’s Addition, so it’s familiar to us.”
That history dates back to 2016, when the firm planted its flag in Richmond in the Scott’s Addition Gather building. Its work in the neighborhood includes 2912 W. Leigh St., where Hickok Cole designed offices for real estate firm JLL and ad agency NDP. Other projects in the neighborhood have included menswear shop Jackson & James.
Zullo said the company signed a five-year lease for its new space, which it found working with JLL’s Gareth Jones.
The 3,800-square-foot space includes open work areas and enclosed conference rooms.
Design Director Patrick Gegen said the team was drawn to the space for its natural light and similarities to Hickok Cole’s D.C. HQ.
“They consolidated from four floors to one large open-studio environment. We have that here,” Gegen said. “We’re in one large, open space with skylights, garage doors, and we have a much more expansive library here. We’re designers, we preach about well-lit environments, and I think this really capitalizes on it.”
The space also includes enclosed conference rooms, a reception lounge and outdoor seating. Hickok Cole shares the building with World Art Group and Vana Chupp Studio.
The 13,000-square-foot building, once an ABC distribution facility, was built in 1940 and redeveloped in 2015 by architecture firm Thomas Hamilton & Associates. It was home to The Frontier Project from 2015 to 2020.
The office’s library in the building, which features skylights and operable garage doors.
Zullo said the new office would serve as a base camp for projects that Hickok Cole is working on farther south. She said the company’s current focus is on urban mixed-use buildings and elements such as apartments, restaurants and retail.
“We’ve got two projects going on in Raleigh right now, so our Richmond office will act as the conduit between Richmond and connecting our staff here to the projects we have going on elsewhere,” she said.
Locally, Hickok Cole’s recent workload has included the Wellsmith Apartments at Libbie Mill-Midtown and The Current in Manchester. It also designed the renovation of Salisbury Country Club in Midlothian. Current projects include the planned Harp’s Landing apartment building at Libbie Mill, and Pinecrest Development’s 15-story student housing tower that’s rising at 321 W. Grace St. in Monroe Ward.
Hickok Cole joins other design firms making moves in the city. 510 Architects, currently based in Scott’s Addition, is planning a move to an office complex in the Northside. Northern Virginia-based Dwell Design Studio opened an office in Scott’s Addition last fall. Marvel and Hanbury also expanded here last year.
Hickok Cole has moved into the East Coast Freight Lines building in Scott’s Addition. (Photos courtesy Hickok Cole)
After three years in the Arts District, the Richmond office of D.C.-based design firm Hickok Cole has moved to larger digs in a neighborhood it previously called home.
The office has relocated to 3005 W. Marshall St., taking a 3,800-square-foot space in the East Coast Freight Lines building at Marshall and Altamont Avenue in Scott’s Addition.
The space, previously filled by healthcare tech startup Workpath, is more than twice the size of the 1,500-square-foot storefront Hickok Cole previously occupied at 20 E. Broad St., where it had been since 2020.
Jessica Zullo
Jessica Zullo, associate principal and director of Hickok Cole’s Richmond Studio, said the move was prompted by the office’s growth in that time, from a team of six in 2020 to 13 today.
“That space in Arts District was great and perfect for us, but ultimately we grew faster than we anticipated and needed more space for our designers and architects and staff,” Zullo said.
“We’re urban designers at heart and we love being a part of the city, whether that’s in Scott’s Addition or the Arts District,” she said. “We have a history in Scott’s Addition, so it’s familiar to us.”
That history dates back to 2016, when the firm planted its flag in Richmond in the Scott’s Addition Gather building. Its work in the neighborhood includes 2912 W. Leigh St., where Hickok Cole designed offices for real estate firm JLL and ad agency NDP. Other projects in the neighborhood have included menswear shop Jackson & James.
Zullo said the company signed a five-year lease for its new space, which it found working with JLL’s Gareth Jones.
The 3,800-square-foot space includes open work areas and enclosed conference rooms.
Design Director Patrick Gegen said the team was drawn to the space for its natural light and similarities to Hickok Cole’s D.C. HQ.
“They consolidated from four floors to one large open-studio environment. We have that here,” Gegen said. “We’re in one large, open space with skylights, garage doors, and we have a much more expansive library here. We’re designers, we preach about well-lit environments, and I think this really capitalizes on it.”
The space also includes enclosed conference rooms, a reception lounge and outdoor seating. Hickok Cole shares the building with World Art Group and Vana Chupp Studio.
The 13,000-square-foot building, once an ABC distribution facility, was built in 1940 and redeveloped in 2015 by architecture firm Thomas Hamilton & Associates. It was home to The Frontier Project from 2015 to 2020.
The office’s library in the building, which features skylights and operable garage doors.
Zullo said the new office would serve as a base camp for projects that Hickok Cole is working on farther south. She said the company’s current focus is on urban mixed-use buildings and elements such as apartments, restaurants and retail.
“We’ve got two projects going on in Raleigh right now, so our Richmond office will act as the conduit between Richmond and connecting our staff here to the projects we have going on elsewhere,” she said.
Locally, Hickok Cole’s recent workload has included the Wellsmith Apartments at Libbie Mill-Midtown and The Current in Manchester. It also designed the renovation of Salisbury Country Club in Midlothian. Current projects include the planned Harp’s Landing apartment building at Libbie Mill, and Pinecrest Development’s 15-story student housing tower that’s rising at 321 W. Grace St. in Monroe Ward.
Hickok Cole joins other design firms making moves in the city. 510 Architects, currently based in Scott’s Addition, is planning a move to an office complex in the Northside. Northern Virginia-based Dwell Design Studio opened an office in Scott’s Addition last fall. Marvel and Hanbury also expanded here last year.
Thanks for a great story celebrating our exciting news, Jon! Sharing a link to the official announcement with additional info about the space and photos.
Congrats to Jessica and Hickok Cole, who were great tenants in the arts district. Best of luck in your new space!
Jessica has built something from scratch down here, and I am so thrilled to see it thriving. We graduated design school together, and I always knew she was a star. Congrats Jessica and here’s to your continued success!