A rendering of the proposed building. (Courtesy city documents)
While the stretch of Hull Street that’s north of Commerce Road has drawn the lion’s share of developer interest in Manchester in recent years, a local group is looking to bring some new-construction density to the street’s historic district.
Walter Parks of Walter Parks Architecture, Richard Smith of RJ Smith Cos., and Malcome Sargent of SRC Construction are planning a 5-story, 60-unit apartment building at 1401-1407 Hull St.
The new, 42,000-square-foot structure would replace a trio of derelict buildings at the corner of Hull and West 14th streets.
Smith, who in recent years developed the “Urban Charm” building across 14th Street, bought the project site in a pair of deals in 2015 and 2021 for a combined $495,000. The site totals about a quarter of an acre and the buildings on it, which date to the 1920s, are vacant.
The new building would rise on a plot across the street from the Hull Street Library. (Mike Platania photos)
Parks’ firm has designed many buildings that have risen in Manchester in recent years, such as The Beach Cos.’ Eddy on the James that’s nearing completion at 700 Semmes Ave., and The Box, a 118-unit building from Fountainhead Real Estate Development and WVS Cos. at 501 Decatur St. He also has teamed up with Smith and Fountainhead’s Tom Papa on real estate deals in the past.
The 103-year-old building currently at 1401 Hull St. is vacant.
“We’re just trying to revive some high-quality housing in a place that doesn’t get a lot of it,” Parks said, adding there are additional silent partners involved in this deal.
Plans show the new building’s ground floor would house a 1,900-square-foot retail space fronting Hull Street and a 25-space parking deck. Above that would be four stories of apartments totaling 60 units, with all of them being 1-bedroom or studio units.
Parks and Sargent’s firms are the project architect and general contractor, respectively. The project site is zoned B-5 Central Business District and because it abuts a residential district, the zoning requires a side yard. The proposed building would fill the entire lot, so the developers are seeking a special-use permit to waive the side yard requirement. Markham Planning is representing the developers in the SUP process.
Another 110 units are in the pipeline for that stretch of Hull Street, as Maryland-based Haris Design & Construction has been planning a pair of five story buildings at 1114 and 1228 Hull St. since 2020. Haris owner Shakil Siddiqui recently said he’s planning to break ground on both projects later this year, but rising interest rates may further delay the developments.
A rendering of the proposed building. (Courtesy city documents)
While the stretch of Hull Street that’s north of Commerce Road has drawn the lion’s share of developer interest in Manchester in recent years, a local group is looking to bring some new-construction density to the street’s historic district.
Walter Parks of Walter Parks Architecture, Richard Smith of RJ Smith Cos., and Malcome Sargent of SRC Construction are planning a 5-story, 60-unit apartment building at 1401-1407 Hull St.
The new, 42,000-square-foot structure would replace a trio of derelict buildings at the corner of Hull and West 14th streets.
Smith, who in recent years developed the “Urban Charm” building across 14th Street, bought the project site in a pair of deals in 2015 and 2021 for a combined $495,000. The site totals about a quarter of an acre and the buildings on it, which date to the 1920s, are vacant.
The new building would rise on a plot across the street from the Hull Street Library. (Mike Platania photos)
Parks’ firm has designed many buildings that have risen in Manchester in recent years, such as The Beach Cos.’ Eddy on the James that’s nearing completion at 700 Semmes Ave., and The Box, a 118-unit building from Fountainhead Real Estate Development and WVS Cos. at 501 Decatur St. He also has teamed up with Smith and Fountainhead’s Tom Papa on real estate deals in the past.
The 103-year-old building currently at 1401 Hull St. is vacant.
“We’re just trying to revive some high-quality housing in a place that doesn’t get a lot of it,” Parks said, adding there are additional silent partners involved in this deal.
Plans show the new building’s ground floor would house a 1,900-square-foot retail space fronting Hull Street and a 25-space parking deck. Above that would be four stories of apartments totaling 60 units, with all of them being 1-bedroom or studio units.
Parks and Sargent’s firms are the project architect and general contractor, respectively. The project site is zoned B-5 Central Business District and because it abuts a residential district, the zoning requires a side yard. The proposed building would fill the entire lot, so the developers are seeking a special-use permit to waive the side yard requirement. Markham Planning is representing the developers in the SUP process.
Another 110 units are in the pipeline for that stretch of Hull Street, as Maryland-based Haris Design & Construction has been planning a pair of five story buildings at 1114 and 1228 Hull St. since 2020. Haris owner Shakil Siddiqui recently said he’s planning to break ground on both projects later this year, but rising interest rates may further delay the developments.
More luxury apartments for people from NOVA.
The construction march up Hull Street continues in the direction of Cowardin Avenue. This will further strain the safety of Hull from the bridge to Commerce unless traffic diverted send those vehicles across the two bigger bridges at 9th and Belvidere.
This is good that they are adding 60 units of new housing over what is a abandoned building and a parking lot.
They need to make it 10 stories and with twice the units to deal with the massive housing shortage in Richmond and the run away rents.
This sounds great! I’m surprised the parking warriors aren’t upset about the lack of parking spots in the deck, yet. 60 units and 25 parking spaces will definitely help keep the rents lower.
I am changing my pseudonym to Parking Warrior. ;^)