The804.com–Richmond VA Real Estate Blog

May 31, 2007

Glutton Opines: Craving Swiss and Pakistani

Filed under: restaurants — the804.com @ 10:06 pm

Fondue is my crack cocaine.  There ain’t nothing more indulgent than Moet and Chandon with melted cheese and granny smith apples, followed by assorted meats brewed in coq au vin, followed by melted chocolate drizzled over more sugary desserts.  Man, I’m going into a diabetic coma just thinking of Switzerland’s greatest contribution to the world. Turns out, there’s a new player in town: The Fondue Fanatic in Midlothian/Bellgrade, and they sell fondue at LUNCH!  I gotta go check this place out ASAP and do the The Melting Pot Pepsi challenge.  

While we’re talking about the South Sayiid, one of the better lunch buffet values in town is Kabab Grille (located near Chesterfield Town Center, Hooters side).  For the uninitiated, Pakistani food is pretty similar to Indian (without the beef bias).  KG has great grilled meat dishes and a very good tandoori bread at prices that won’t break the wallet.  The high concentration of Muslim customers (the ultimate ethnic food bellwether) further confirms my conclusions of Kabob’s worthiness.

May 30, 2007

The Do

Filed under: downtown — the804.com @ 10:56 pm

Despite big flashy, multimedia headlines in today’s TD (What’s going up in downtown Richmond? | Downtown Development Slideshow | Downtown Developments), as Urban Richmond? nicely puts it, “there’s no new information here”…I guess you need to cycle these same stories every couple of months as reminders.

Today’s important downtown stories are actually courtesy of Style and “LesterCat”:

May 29, 2007

For wealthy golfers and not so wealthy golfers…

Filed under: Developments — the804.com @ 6:37 am

From Crosland, the fine makers of the Cloverleaf Mall revitalization,  comes the new upscale development Homestead Preserve (2,300 acres, 325 acres of development) in Hot Springs, VA (TD: Development holds on to farm heritage, Upscale communities in Bath County include a renovated barn complex).  For those who haven’t been, Bath County is plain old beautiful as the Homestead is Virginia’s best resort (The Cascades our state’s best golf course; of course, $200 green fees don’t make it the best value*).  So far, only 150 of 425 homesites have been sold (minimum $650,000, 1/2 acre to 13 per), hence, the heavy PR to cajole TD to write an “earned” story.  This development is obviously trying to attract the second-home, ultra-wealthy market (NOVA/Richmond daytrippers).  Could Hot Springs become the next Aspen or even Naples? There’s an old adage: “Buy real estate where the wealthy like to play.”

*OK, can’t afford the Homestead’s $200 green fee?  This weekend I played Meadow Creek Golf Course at Pen Park in Charlottesville.  Meadow Creek is a public, municipal course owned by the city, and is probably a Top 10 golf course in the whole state.  What makes it special is (1) its incredible aesthetics and mountain views of Pantops and the Rivanna River/Trail–The nature walk between 3 and 4 is simply breathtaking (like a Robert Frost poem if he was a golfer).  (2) the price–For $15!!!, you can walk this course and play unlimited holes after 6 PM.  One warning: with it being a mountain course, walking is a serious workout.  I saw that as an added benefit.

May 26, 2007

The804.com blog MIA

Filed under: Advocacy — the804.com @ 4:51 pm

Why the inactivity on the blog (21 days between latest and last post)? 

Well, I’ve been focused on completing a pet project of mine that I’ll announce later this week.  I’m kinda proud of it…Soon come.

Glutton Opines: OMFG! White Dog for Sale!?

Filed under: restaurants — the804.com @ 4:44 pm

I just saw this troubling posting on Craigslist:
http://richmond.craigslist.org/bfs/338161388.html
which led me to google this: http://www.donovanproperty.com/thewhitedog.html

All right, White Dog is one of my top 5 restaurants in Richmond.  On any given night, it might be #1.  It is the perfect Fan restaurant with a perfect menu in a perfect intimate setting.  This craigslist posting was kind of strange in the sense that it stressed “Please keep in mind that discretion is of the utmost importance in this transaction.”  Why is it on craigslist then?  My guess is that it’s been on the “discreet market” for a while now, and they’ve just recently decided to go for full blown marketing.  When you consider the package comes with income producing residential rentals, it does seem like an intriguing investment for the right buyer.

Speaking of restaurants, I ate at the new Kitchen 64 not once but twice this week!  The place was doing crazy business as they had to close down the patio on my second visit since the “kitchen couldn’t keep up.”  Once they get their operations in order, their patio will be one of the top happy hour al frescas out there.  Food was classic Giavos (relatively cheap, above average, huge portions).  The menu has hints of Sidewalk and Three Monkeys as well as baseball inspired dishes (like hotdogs).

 Restaurant Review Roundup

May 5, 2007

Richmond Magazine’s Real Estate Issue

Filed under: trends — the804.com @ 4:56 pm

Pickup this month’s real-estate themed issue of Richmond Magazine. There is a profile of “hidden gem” neighborhoods (Chesterfield: Bexley, Founders Bridge, Grand Summit, Hampton Park, The Highlands, Goochland: Sabot Hills Hanover: Ashland, Beaverdam, CedarLea Park, Montpelier, Studley Henrico: Glenwood Lakes, Lake Loreine, Pinerun, Woods at Innsbroook, Powhatan: Scottville, Trenholm, Richmond: Chimborazo Park, Grove Avenue Crest, Sherwood Park, Traylor Estates).  In addition, there is a nice table outlining statistics (number of sales/average price trends, average sq, educational scores)  of every Richmond area neighborhood (worth the price of the issue alone).  I will analyze this table (top 5, bottom 5) in a later post.

May 4, 2007

You’re messing up my James River views

Filed under: Advocacy — the804.com @ 10:05 pm

Today, I had a pleasant walk along the flood wall (from Sun Trust to Mayo).  When I looked across the river and saw the VA Lottery sign, I was rudely reminded of Style Weekly: Despite Illegality, Mayo Island Sign Still Stands.  Generally speaking, I’m not a big fan of eminent domain or condemnation, but in the case of the big ugly sign ruining the Richmond skyline and river views, it’s gotta go.  As the article states, the sign is illegal.  Case closed.

While we’re talking about the James River, the fishermen at the 14th St bridge banks were catching White Perch like they were at a Long John Silvers.

Glutton Opines: I See Vegetables Every Where

Filed under: restaurants — the804.com @ 5:49 am

Both the TD (New farmers’ market has bumper crop of visitors, Byrd House Market is a pilot program near Oregon Hill) and Style (The New Farmers’ Market, Up the Hill | Short Order) announce the Spring arrival of the Farmer Markets, both old and new: 

There seems to be quite a few of these (is this the quintessential Richmond dilution phenomenon where we have too much of a good thing?  Again, I’d rather have one quintessential market like Dupount Circle or Union Square).  Anyways, enough whining…For so many different reasons, buying fruits and veggies locally is the right thing to do. Additional resources: Virginia Association for Biological Farming , SPROUT, and Local Harvest.

Restaurant Review Roundup

May 3, 2007

Make a Deal. Make a Difference

Filed under: Developments — the804.com @ 9:27 pm

The Richmond Chapter of the ULI is hosting a great event next week entitled “Make a Deal. Make a Difference” featuring Rick Hausler President of Kettler.  Here’s a reprint of their press release…

It’s not too late to register!

ULI Richmond’s 2007 Urban Marketplace.
Make a Deal. Make a Difference.
May 9, 2007
11:30a.m to 4:30p.m. 
Science Museum of Virginia

Parking is free of charge and available in front of the building as well as in the 2 adjacent lots in front Children’s Museum. There is also street parking available. Do NOT park in the DMV parking lot adjacent to the Science Museum as they strictly enforce their parking limits.

Luncheon Speaker: Richard Hausler, President of Kettler 
Opening Remarks: The Honorable L. Preston Bryant, Jr., Secretary of Natural Resources 

Many thanks to our current sponsors for the Urban Marketplace: 

TerraForge Communities, VHDA, Trammell Crow Residential, Goulston Storrs, Richmond Economic Development, Richmond Association of Realtors, Williams Mullen, Forest City Enterprises, Humphreys & Partners Architects, Health E Communities, Transnation Title Insurance, Commonwealth Architects, Wachovia & Miller and Associates.

Please see attached flyer and registration form for complete details…..

ULI RICHMOND ’S URBAN MARKETPLACE
Make A Deal.Make A Difference.
May 9th 2007 11:30 am -4:30 pm Science Museum of Virginia

PLEASE REGISTER USING ATTACHED FORM
Richard W.Hausler serves as President of Kettler, (formerly KSI Services,Inc.) Kettler is a leading developer of award-winning, mixed-use residential and commercial properties across the Washington Metropolitan area. Kettler has developed more than five million square feet of commercial space and more than 50,000 homes. Current projects include urban and transit-oriented developments, multifamily housing, commercial and mixed-use developments. Mr.Hausler oversees land and multifamily acquisitions,project planning and development. His presentation will provide a roadmap of speci fic redevelopment projects,highlighting lessons learned from these uniquely structured projects.

Luncheon with Guest Speaker: Rick Hausler of Kettler

LOCATION
Science Museum of Virginia 2500 West Broad Street Richmond,Virginia 23220 FREE Parking available on site.

AGENDA
11:30 Registration Opens
12:00 Welcome & Be Seated
12:30-4:30 Presentation & Sessions
2:00-6:30 Marketplace
4:30-6:30 Networking 

FEATURED PRESENTATION:
Partnerships for Successful Urban Development
This session will provide winning case studies at a range of scales and types.Two developers of successful urban development projects from Alexandria and Chesapeake will share their experiences.

Breakout Sessions Include:

  • Financing the Deal
  • Potholes in the Road to Urban Deals ((and How to Avoid Them)
  • Mixed–Use Mixed-Income Deals
  • Current Local Government Initiatives

The Richmond District Council of the Urban Land Institute is launching its first ever Urban Marketplace program. The purpose of the Urban Marketplace is to promote investment opportunities and development strategies for revitalizing urban and suburban markets, bringing together everyone with an interest in creating strategies for urban and suburban in fill development. The half-day conference will attract several hundred attendees from the private,public and non-pro fit sectors, convening stakeholders to meet,share experiences and best practices,and lay a foundation for future collaborative efforts. We hope that your attendance will help make this new innovative program a success for years to come.

The need for the Urban Marketplace in the region is clear:Many real estate professionals realize the opportunities for development that exist,and the need for incentives and cooperative programs to transform those opportunities into future projects. Many non-pro fits who have the capacity for successful urban and suburban development projects are also seeking opportunities to partner with for-pro fit developers and identify additional funding sources.Please join us and be part of the first ever Urban Marketplace in Richmond.

For more information on the Urban Marketplace or sponsorship, please contact Robin Morrison at (804)754-4466.

8th and Broad Update

Filed under: downtown — the804.com @ 6:41 am

Broad Street’s facelift continues…URbanStudies: 8th and 9th St. Office Buildings and Times Dispatch: Demolition to be done with care updates the demolition project of The Eighth Street Office Building/ Murphy Hotel.  Apparently, crews will be working very carefully, as there are nearby historical registry churches.

May 2, 2007

Spiders in a Bubble

Filed under: Advocacy — the804.com @ 9:01 pm

A University of Richmond Urban Studies student asks Is UR A Part of Richmond’s Culture? My opinion is yeah, but they’re no VCU.   UR sponsors many great free talks and cultural events (ie, International Film series) open to the entire Richmond community.  They are the area’s 21st largest employer, and all them rich Jersey kids pump lots of money into the local economy (hell, they’re able to sustain two beer stores).   I just don’t think people are aware of UR’s real impact (both cultural and financial) to the community.  As for the criticism of only serving the nearby rich neighborhoods, that’s true to some extent.  But UofR to their credit does allow a GRTC busline into campus.  For that reason alone, they are more “Richmond” than, say, Chesterfield or Hanover.Could they do more?  The blogger has a great suggestion:

At a school with an undergraduate population of roughly 2,900 the school would have to require every single student to devote a semester of volunteer work within the community to really make a difference. Perhaps this should be part of the CORE course that all freshmen have to take. This would would put about 725 volunteers compiling roughly 21,750 hours of investment in the Richmond community.

Short Pumpolis

Filed under: Developments — the804.com @ 7:03 am

The TD gives us a Short Pump development update (Starting to feel like home; Newest Short Pump development could add more residential to mix that includes a hotel, retail stores). Behold, the square footage and retail spectacle of…. 

Net result: On Saturday, Broad and Pump/Pouncey Tract will be Richmond’s largest parking lot. The TD article does give some equal time to the smart growth advocates:

Some smart-growth advocates say the Short Pump area could be developed with less space devoted to parking and more dense buildings.

Adele MacLean, the coordinator for the Partnership for Smarter Growth in Richmond, said that even though new developments use the “mixed-use” lingo, many do not address transportation and livability issues, a key to a project’s longevity.

“We would be encouraged if the project was walkable and created livable space, including things like crosswalks that are safe across all those lanes of traffic and sidewalks where trees can grow,” MacLean said.

According to Retail Traffic: Capital Improvements, we may have over 7 million square feet of new retail in Western Henrico when the dust finally settles.

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