A rendering of Avery Hall’s proposed project. (BizSense file photos)
A massive multifamily development in Manchester is set to begin construction.
Avery Hall Investments confirmed last week it has secured financing for its 550-unit apartment development at 301 W. Sixth St., clearing the way for the project to break ground.
Avery Hall founding partner Brian Ezra said the firm expects to start site work and construction this spring. He declined to identify the lender, stating only that it’s a Canadian firm and that the development’s cost will be in the nine figures.
“We’re motivated and excited to build,” Ezra said. “We do believe we’ll deliver the highest-quality (apartment) building in the Richmond area.”
The development is planned to span two buildings, one reaching 16 stories and the other 17, along the riverfront. The two towers, which would be linked by a four-story parking deck, would be the tallest new-construction apartment buildings to rise in the city in recent years.
Based out of New York, Avery Hall has been plotting the project for around three years after another proposed development for the site, River’s Edge II, fell through. After buying the 3-acre parcel in a record-setting $17 million deal in 2022, Avery Hall got city approval for the development a year later.
The 3-acre site is just north of Legend Brewing Co.’s taproom.
Ezra said the goal is to complete the project sometime in 2027. KBS is the general contractor and Avery Hall’s in-house architecture firm is the designer.
During the city approval process, Avery Hall’s proposals drew some pushback from locals who were upset that the two towers would obscure some of the downtown view from neighboring Legend Brewing Co.’s deck. The developer wound up tweaking the design in an effort to better preserve sightlines.
That effort may prove moot, as Legend has listed its 1.3-acre parcel for sale with an asking price of $4 million. Bruce Milam of Bruce Commercial Realty has the listing.
A rendering of Avery Hall’s proposed project. (BizSense file photos)
A massive multifamily development in Manchester is set to begin construction.
Avery Hall Investments confirmed last week it has secured financing for its 550-unit apartment development at 301 W. Sixth St., clearing the way for the project to break ground.
Avery Hall founding partner Brian Ezra said the firm expects to start site work and construction this spring. He declined to identify the lender, stating only that it’s a Canadian firm and that the development’s cost will be in the nine figures.
“We’re motivated and excited to build,” Ezra said. “We do believe we’ll deliver the highest-quality (apartment) building in the Richmond area.”
The development is planned to span two buildings, one reaching 16 stories and the other 17, along the riverfront. The two towers, which would be linked by a four-story parking deck, would be the tallest new-construction apartment buildings to rise in the city in recent years.
Based out of New York, Avery Hall has been plotting the project for around three years after another proposed development for the site, River’s Edge II, fell through. After buying the 3-acre parcel in a record-setting $17 million deal in 2022, Avery Hall got city approval for the development a year later.
The 3-acre site is just north of Legend Brewing Co.’s taproom.
Ezra said the goal is to complete the project sometime in 2027. KBS is the general contractor and Avery Hall’s in-house architecture firm is the designer.
During the city approval process, Avery Hall’s proposals drew some pushback from locals who were upset that the two towers would obscure some of the downtown view from neighboring Legend Brewing Co.’s deck. The developer wound up tweaking the design in an effort to better preserve sightlines.
That effort may prove moot, as Legend has listed its 1.3-acre parcel for sale with an asking price of $4 million. Bruce Milam of Bruce Commercial Realty has the listing.
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always wanted to see this area revitalized & of course it has been & is in the process. still never expected anything of this scope. Wow! almost overkill..or guess the developers are into, ” too much of everything is juz enough.” there goes the neighborhood.
Carroll it’s hard to follow your logic: you wanted a much smaller scale development? Why? The entire area is seeing mid and high-rise construction and there are plenty of nearby parks for everyone to enjoy the river, as well. The city needs more dense developments like this to support our tax base.
Yes I know it’s always comes back to the tax base..and I am glad there is finally interest in the Manchester area..have been waiting decades for such to happen…Just my personal preference was revitalizing what was already there. True there are plenty of mid to hi rise structures juz it appears soon there will be no end to it…these living spaces do not really strike me as cozy neighborhoods but I guess that’s not the point …so yes there is no logic here just emotion I suppose. Perhaps that’s no one’s cup of tea here…there are a good many local… Read more »
It is an empty lot and was a factory that could not be rehabbed so it was torn down. So, to me the perfect place to add density to increase the customer base of the businesses in the area. I don’t care as much about tax base because that will come along when you build great places, but we need more business support in the area to fill the commercial spaces already here.
Yes of course it makes sense. Practical, very practical. Yes I know real estate…all empty spaces must be filled…
Please stop putting words in people’s mouth’s. This was an empty former industrial plot. It is not like it is filled with 200 year old trees or even something that is a park. There are some places where buildings like this are appropriate. and there are others where they are not, but based on what this lot currently is it skew way over to the appropriate side. People have to live somewhere. I would rather it happen here than plow over green land somewhere else.
Most views from hi rises are very stimulating…over the James it should be magnificent. Other than that from the ground up it’s an eye sore. Your position is noted. I have mine..I am not a big fan of vertical designs…as I said very practical but cold..I respect your opinions & they are intelligent & well stated..this structure will be build … that’s for sure.. let’s leave it at that.
I love the height here, fingers crossed it gets built this time.
How many units, does anyone know?
The article indicates 550 units.
553 units. Most likely the highest end and highest “up” apartments in the region. There’s always room at the top! Congrats to Avery Hall for completing and closing the construction financing last week.
With the new bike and ped improvements coming to the 14th Street bridge, maybe this project and others will prompt some additional alternative transit improvements for the 9th Street bridge.
Also hoping that this developer won’t do what other developers in the area are doing and waiting on bringing units online… Just build them and list them for rent already, trying to time the market for rental units is a waste of real estate.
Compared to some of what has gone up recently, this actually looks attractive and to age well. Some of what has gone up lately doesn’t help the cause for multifamily development because they are just downright ugly and look cheaply made. Kudos on thoughtful design here…it should look beautiful along the river when built.
Couldn’t agree more, Betsy. I think one advantage is that this project is being developed by New York developers who are using out-of-market architects who are bringing a different approach in the design of high-rise residential buildings. Among the most common complaints about RVA’s recent construction boom is that the 6, 7, 8 – even 12-story – apartment buildings all tend to look alike with boring design, devoid of architectural features, and that the mid-rises look generic & cookie-cutter. Part of the problem is that quite a few of the projects are being developed by local developers who are using… Read more »
In defense of our local architects, they are giving developers what they ask for. It’s not that they can’t design something prettier. It’s that the developers don’t want to pay for it.
A good architect should still be able to work within a budget to provide something with some character.
Well, this depends on how realistic that “character” budget is.
This is going to be awesome for Manchester!
Wow, the building looks nice with phenomenal views of the city downtown skyline. I do hope they make room for one, two or more rooftop restaurants, bars.
I’d love to see it, John. Hopefully the developers will consider incorporating something along those lines. It would be a tremendous opportunity, particularly given that the towers’ location right on the Manchester riverfront offers completely unobstructed views of downtown.
It’s not in the plans.
Intriguing that folks think these are attractive, just because of their height maybe? Looks like extra large filing cabinets to me.
So, who wants to put $$$ on a wager that this developer buys out the Legends property, very soon?
Hideously boring and banal buildings. It’s further mediocritizing an already disappointing skyline. You don’t have to spend a whole lot more to create something with a little elegance, especially on the river where everyone will see it. Why not put terraces (yes, I know that’s more $$), considering the river/downtown view? At least Juliet balconies. Something to de-boxify it. Look to cities like Atlanta to see interesting, new architecture.
I’m all for taller buildings on the James but at least use your imagination. We all have to look at these things.
I believe what you are see in that rendering is the side facing away from the river. I think more of the units on the other side will have balconies to take advantage of the river. At least, like you, I hope they do.