Let the Downtown Loft Tour Begin, Part I

Saturday, January 23, 2010

It’s like playing house, but with real homes and real people.
 


On March 27, Rocketts Landing participates for our second year in Venture Richmond’s Downtown Loft Tour. 

The event goes like this: Richmonders gather on buses school-field-trip style and oooh and ahhh at some of the most dashing lofts in five different neighborhoods around town: Manchester, Jackson Ward, Shockoe Bottom, Shockoe Slip and Rocketts Landing. 
 


In preparation for the tour, we will post a series of articles highlighting Rocketts’ five featured condominiums and the owners who call them home. 
 


In Fall Line, three different residencies will be featured: a 4,000 sq. ft. penthouse, a 1600 sq. ft. two-bedroom home, and a 1200 sq. ft. loft.
 
Sky Line will feature two homes: a 4,700 sq. ft. penthouse and an 1800 sq. ft. two-bedroom home. 
 


Each residence has a different floor plan, specifically appealing to the life and lifestyle of the owners. Three of the five participating lofts at Rocketts are home to couples with young children.
 
Loft Tour attendees will be able to meet the loft owners in person and hear their stories. Be sure to check back soon as more details on the homes and their families are discussed.

Another Commercial Tenant

Friday, January 15, 2010

Another business is setting up at Rocketts.
 


On January 1, Virginia First Financial moved into a 2,100-square-foot office in the Old Richmond Raft Building on the corner of Dock and Main streets. The firm, which has three employees, provides tax planning, financial planning and accounting for small businesses and local residents. 
 


Owner Eric Stamper knew it was time for a change in location when they started outgrowing the office on Chamberlayne Avenue. 
 


“The area before served us well,” says Stamper, “but it was a place you made do with. I made my mind up coming into 2010 that it was time to get a feel [and location] that is more in line with my offerings and my personality — and the clients I’m trying to attract.”
 


As a member of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA), Stamper was drawn to the Rocketts location because of the building and area’s historic significance. 
 


“The only other choice I considered was a warehouse in Manchester,” says Stamper. “It still had the same flavor, the salvageable old mixed with the new. Even in this building here we have exposed brick. The reaction from my existing clients is that there’s no question this [location] is more than in line with what I want.”
 


In Rocketts Landing’s long-term development plan, the Old Richmond Raft House will eventually be demolished. Stamper said this outlook didn’t deter him from moving to Rocketts, as he is fond of the entire Rocketts Landing community.
 


“At that point, I will move up to the ‘main house,’” says Stamper, a reference to the commercial spaces at 210 Rock and Cedar Works.
 


But until then, Stamper is enjoying his business’s new home and can’t wait to experience the spring season by the river.

A Year in Review

Monday, January 04, 2010

Most of us are probably saying good riddance to 2009. But even though it was one of the tougher years on the economy, a lot of positive things happened. We’ve compiled this year’s Top Five community highlights.
 


1. Rocketts Landing Regattas


2009 brought two new regattas to Rocketts Landing: the Collegiate Regatta in March and Sprints Regatta in May.



Collegiate Regatta


Teaming up with the Virginia Boat Club and VCU to host Richmond’s inaugural and only major collegiate regatta, the event featured crew clubs from VCU, University of Richmond, North Carolina State University, Duke University and University of Maryland at Baltimore County. The crew teams planned to compete in 25 different races and various categories. Unexpected choppy waters made the river difficult to navigate, however, and the teams were able to complete only three races. Though the regatta was called off after two hours, we believe starting a new collegiate sports competition that celebrates the James River is a huge accomplishment.



Sprints Regatta


The sixth annual 1000-meter sprint took place in May and included an array of contestants from both high school crew teams and regional clubs. This was the first year Rocketts Landing hosted the event and many spectators lined up along the Intermediate Terminal Dock on the banks of the Virginia Boat Club and Rocketts Landing’s site. Refereed by USRA officials and controlled by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the regatta proved a successful and invigorating Richmond river competition. 



2. Virginia Capital Trail Cap-2-Cap Bike Ride


The Virginia Capital Trail is in the works to become a multi-use trail linking Richmond and Williamsburg by 2013. Rocketts Landing joined forces with the Virginia Capital Trail in May and was the official host for the 2nd annual bike ride, which raises money for the trail’s development. With a 40-percent increase in attendance from last year, 1400 riders completed the course, in either 25, 50 or 100 mile round trips. The event saw an upgrade of festivities this year including a VIP breakfast, beer truck, lights and live music.



3. The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing


Rocketts Landing’s first restaurant in the community, as well as Richmond’s only and highly anticipated riverfront restaurant opened its doors in August. Located in the restored Power Plant Building on the banks of the James River, The Boathouse has been serving a packed house almost every night since it opened. In November, the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods (A.C.O.R.N.) awarded The Boathouse with their 2009 Golden Hammer Award for “best commercial renovation,” honoring their successful work blending industrial history with contemporary architecture.



4. Rocketts Landing’s Fountain


In November, community residents gathered together for the grand illumination of Rocketts’ newest structural addition: an industrial-inspired fountain. Local design firm Tektonics conceived and built the fountain, matching its design to the surrounding 100-year-old industrial buildings. Illuminated from below and within the fountain, light permeates through chinks and gaps, and reflects water streaming through the middle. Residents expressed satisfaction, stating the fountain offered a welcoming community gathering place, which will soon be joined with benches. 



5. Jingle on the James


Hundreds of people attended Rocketts Landing’s inaugural two-day holiday festival. Richmond’s only riverfront holiday event featured over 100 Virginia artists in an eclectic “art village,” James River Parade of Lights, James River Ringers Bell Choirs and Salvation Army Brass Band, RVA HoOp LOvers and carolers. Though the second day brought rain, the holiday festival vendors and attendees remained in positive spirits and marked the beginning of a new Richmond holiday tradition.