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Architects chosen for city projects
Two firms, one local, will design plans for downtown buildings
BY WILL JONES
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Friday, September 15, 2006
Architects have been selected for the renovation of the Ninth Street Office Building and the replacement of the Eighth Street Office Building in downtown Richmond.
Commonwealth Architects, of Richmond, and Perkins+Will, of Washington, will prepare the designs with input from representatives of the city and historic-preservation groups, state officials said.
The Ninth Street building overlooks Capitol Square and is the former Hotel Richmond. The Eighth Street building faces East Broad Street and is the former Murphy Hotel.
State officials said they want to replace the Eighth Street building with one of landmark quality, with underground parking, retail on the first floor and potentially 12 floors of office space.
"We're looking for a building that would not be a simple box," said Richard F. Sliwoski, director of the state Department of General Services. "We're looking for a gateway to Capitol Square with a presence on Broad Street."
Historic-preservation groups had feared that the buildings, built in the early 1900s, could be demolished. State officials say the buildings have significant problems, including inefficient floor plans and obsolete electrical, mechanical and heating and cooling systems.
As a result of the preservationists' concerns, state officials invited representatives of the city and several groups to share information with the architects. Those groups include APVA Preservation Virginia, Historic Richmond Foundation, Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods, Renaissance Partners, Capitol Square Preservation Council, the state Department of Historic Resources and the city of Richmond. The group had its first meeting Wednesday.
Jennie Dotts, executive director of the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods or ACORN, remains unhappy that the former Murphy Hotel will be demolished but is pleased the former Richmond Hotel will be saved. She also praised the selection of Commonwealth Architects and the plans for underground parking and retail on the new building's first floor.
"I'm very hopeful they've got the message . . . that the citizens of Richmond expect a landmark-quality building," she said of state administrators.
Sliwoski said the Eighth Street building would be demolished next spring at the earliest. He said Gov. Timothy M. Kaine does not want that to occur until the state is ready to continue construction.
"He was emphatic that he does not want another open lot on Broad Street," Sliwoski said.
Contact staff writer Will Jones wjones@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6911.