Westhampton Pastry Shop redevelopment endorsed by Planning Commission

westhampton pastry Cropped

A rendering of the proposed building at the corner of Patterson and Libbie avenues. (City documents)

The planned redevelopment of the Westhampton Pastry Shop property took a step closer to city approval on Tuesday night.

The Richmond Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a project that would replace the building currently housing the longtime bakery at 5728 Patterson Ave., though the development team has said the 73-year-old bakery would reopen in the new building, once completed. 

The property owner, the Robins family, and local investor Tyler Currie first filed plans for the project in late 2023. 

They’re looking to raze the existing structure, which dates back over 70 years, and build a new 28,000-square-foot building that would have three stories of office space above a pair of ground-floor commercial spaces totaling 2,500 and 940 square feet. 

westhampton pastry shop Cropped

The existing building at the corner of Libbie and Patterson avenues. (BizSense file)

Plans also call for about 24 covered parking spaces and Libbie Avenue-facing outdoor dining areas. Local firm 510 Architects is designing the building. 

At Tuesday’s meeting, a handful of locals spoke in opposition to the development, including a representative of the Westhampton Citizens Association. Concerns around the proposed building’s height as well as parking and traffic impacts were common complaints.

After discussion, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend approving the special-use permit. 

Another project along Patterson Avenue was also considered at Tuesday’s meeting. 

The commission also recommended approving Superstars Pizza owner Taylor Antonelli’s plans for a deli at 3401 Patterson Ave.

superstars patterson Cropped

The vacant building sits at the corner of Roseneath Road and Patterson Avenue. (Mike Platania photo)

That building at the intersection of Patterson Avenue and Roseneath Road was once a laundromat, but has sat vacant for years. 

In 2021 coffee chain PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans looked to open a location there but those plans fell through, opening the door for Antonelli, who’s looking to use the 1,000-square-foot space as both a deli and a hub for his catering operation. Specifics around deli concept have yet to be announced. 

The proposal requires the special-use permit secured by PJ’s secured in 2021 to be amended. Baker Development Resources’ Alessandro Ragazzi is representing Antonelli in the case. 

Both the pastry shop redevelopment and Antonelli’s Deli proposals are now scheduled to be heard at City Council’s Feb. 10 meeting.

westhampton pastry Cropped

A rendering of the proposed building at the corner of Patterson and Libbie avenues. (City documents)

The planned redevelopment of the Westhampton Pastry Shop property took a step closer to city approval on Tuesday night.

The Richmond Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a project that would replace the building currently housing the longtime bakery at 5728 Patterson Ave., though the development team has said the 73-year-old bakery would reopen in the new building, once completed. 

The property owner, the Robins family, and local investor Tyler Currie first filed plans for the project in late 2023. 

They’re looking to raze the existing structure, which dates back over 70 years, and build a new 28,000-square-foot building that would have three stories of office space above a pair of ground-floor commercial spaces totaling 2,500 and 940 square feet. 

westhampton pastry shop Cropped

The existing building at the corner of Libbie and Patterson avenues. (BizSense file)

Plans also call for about 24 covered parking spaces and Libbie Avenue-facing outdoor dining areas. Local firm 510 Architects is designing the building. 

At Tuesday’s meeting, a handful of locals spoke in opposition to the development, including a representative of the Westhampton Citizens Association. Concerns around the proposed building’s height as well as parking and traffic impacts were common complaints.

After discussion, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend approving the special-use permit. 

Another project along Patterson Avenue was also considered at Tuesday’s meeting. 

The commission also recommended approving Superstars Pizza owner Taylor Antonelli’s plans for a deli at 3401 Patterson Ave.

superstars patterson Cropped

The vacant building sits at the corner of Roseneath Road and Patterson Avenue. (Mike Platania photo)

That building at the intersection of Patterson Avenue and Roseneath Road was once a laundromat, but has sat vacant for years. 

In 2021 coffee chain PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans looked to open a location there but those plans fell through, opening the door for Antonelli, who’s looking to use the 1,000-square-foot space as both a deli and a hub for his catering operation. Specifics around deli concept have yet to be announced. 

The proposal requires the special-use permit secured by PJ’s secured in 2021 to be amended. Baker Development Resources’ Alessandro Ragazzi is representing Antonelli in the case. 

Both the pastry shop redevelopment and Antonelli’s Deli proposals are now scheduled to be heard at City Council’s Feb. 10 meeting.

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Don O'Keefe
Don O'Keefe
9 days ago

I am happy to see a denser mixed use neighborhood continue to develop around Libby/Patterson/Grove area. Neighborhoods and cities need to change, and we need to move toward a more efficient, walkable, and transit-oriented method of city making. (And yes, the 76 bus stops right here!) For those of us that don’t own cars (and don’t want to!) this is a step in the right direction.

Alex Brackman
Alex Brackman
9 days ago
Reply to  Don O'Keefe

I couldn’t agree more! I’m excited for the redevelopment in general along libbie, much denser mixed use stuff coming in, like that new set of apartments further down libbie towards grove that was just proposed!

Will Teeples
Will Teeples
9 days ago
Reply to  Don O'Keefe

I couldn’t agree more – this type of redevelopment only adds to the placemaking of the corridor while also promoting transit alternatives and additional housing opportunities.

Peter James
Peter James
9 days ago
Reply to  Don O'Keefe

I couldn’t agree more, Don. And you nailed it – neighborhoods & cities need to change. This development is well thought out & will be a tremendous asset along the Libbie Avenue corridor. There is so much really good higher-density development taking place in this part of town, and this one certainly will add to the great momentum the near West End is enjoying. I’m with you – I neither own a car nor do I desire to own one, and I’m a big proponent of public transit as well – so seeing projects such as this one that align… Read more »

Elizabeth Cogar
Elizabeth Cogar
9 days ago

“The Robins family” — which one? There are a few in town and more than one develop property

Rob Welch
Rob Welch
9 days ago

Nice to see this project move forward. 510 Architects is a great local group and the development fits within the Master Plan for the area.

Blair Archibald
Blair Archibald
9 days ago

It’s refreshing to see decision makers not being swayed by the same old arguments relating to fear of traffic or lack of parking or changing “neighborhood character”. This neighborhood was mostly woods 100 years ago, yet you never see people talk about that character. The correct neighborhood character always seems to coincide with the time period they are mostly nostalgic about. But that’s human nature.

Cities change and progress. Hopefully we keep progressing toward this type of smart growth.

Charles Frankenhoff
Charles Frankenhoff
9 days ago

Both of these are good projects.
I just hope they manage to keep Westhampton Pastry in business, being closed during the building could be hard. Not sure how they manage that

Michael Morgan-Dodson
Michael Morgan-Dodson
9 days ago

And considering the rent will be extremely hiring I have a feeling it WON’T return or will find a new home.

Justin Reynolds
Justin Reynolds
8 days ago

You’re basing this off what, Michael? The owner says they want them there and the pastry shop will be fine. They do a great business. There is zero reason to be less than positive when a run down unmaintained 70+ year old building is about to be replaced with a nice new building.

Peter James
Peter James
8 days ago

Agreed, Justin. The fact that the development team itself has publicly stated that the bakery will return would indicate that they have had discussions with the bakery – including rent prices – and there’s nothing that would lead me to believe that they haven’t already worked something out.

Will Wilson
Will Wilson
9 days ago

Yikes – Westhampton Citizens Association is out of touch. Would encourage pro-growth folks in the area to get involved to help right the ship at that group.

Jessica Williams
Jessica Williams
9 days ago

Ok developers, ask yourselves why people will want to live here when you’ve destroyed all of what makes Richmond unique?

You’re screwing everyone in the city, small businesses and residents alike, and you won’t even realize what you had until it’s too late.

This is shameful.

Keith Van Inwegen
Keith Van Inwegen
9 days ago

The existing buildings do not make Richmond unique. This is an improvement to the area.

Justin Reynolds
Justin Reynolds
8 days ago

Jessica, the building is beyond its useful life already so are your proposing the owner leave the building to sit in disrepair until it caves in on itself? There is zero unique about this building and cities have two choices: they grow/change or they die. I’m so glad to see investment in the area and this is a high quality design.

Charles Frankenhoff
Charles Frankenhoff
8 days ago

The business, Westhampton pastry, contributes to Richmond. The sad and dreary building they are proposing to tear down contributes nothing to Richmond.
Building up that area on the other hand contributes quite a lot to Richmond. Look at what Conejo has brought to the area.
And that leaves out the increased property taxes – if they are levied on new developments they don’t have to come from residents. No new development and it all goes to residents

Peter James
Peter James
8 days ago

Respectfully, upon what verifiable evidence (such as population data) do you base your assertion? I would argue quite the opposite: Richmond is growing and changing robustly – like any thriving city – and people are moving here in droves. Even limiting our view to just to the city, the most recent population estimates (through 2024) from UVa’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service show that the city has grown by some 6,500 residents in the four years since 2020. I would argue that all of the new development going on citywide is playing a large part of what is drawing… Read more »

Last edited 8 days ago by Peter James
Randy Moore
Randy Moore
7 days ago

There is nothing unique about that corner. This will be great for RVA.

Lisa Starke
Lisa Starke
9 days ago

I am in favor of new development that considers the realities of our large regional urban population. The lack of parking and the congested traffic in this area is already dangerous to pedestrians. Denser and mixed-use may be the current development buzzwords, but they do not equate to better living. Richmond is a large geographic region, and we want areas to be accessible to all. While some folks may not choose to drive most find it necessary to access this area and they need to park – plan and build accordingly.

Michelle Reynolds
Michelle Reynolds
8 days ago
Reply to  Lisa Starke

Plenty of places for people to shop at on Broad Street is ease of parking is their primary concern…

Charles Frankenhoff
Charles Frankenhoff
8 days ago
Reply to  Lisa Starke

we should have Density AND Parking no doubt. Currently we have too many parking lots around there though

Randy Moore
Randy Moore
7 days ago
Reply to  Lisa Starke

I disagree. “Denser and mixed-use” are not merely buzzwords. They are keys to better more sustainable growth encouraging walkability and public transit success.