Urban Mixed Use Developments
Richmond is what many people consider a "big small town."
It’s big in the sense that more than 1.2 million people live in the city and surrounding metropolitan area. Despite that, it’s a city that’s still small enough that you typically only have a degree or two of separation between you and anyone else.
The suburbs of Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties, which collectively have hundreds of thousands more residents than the city itself, stretch out for miles upon miles in each direction.
Each has its own neighborhoods, shopping centers, office complexes and grocery stores. In fact, driving down West Broad Street, for example, you’re bound to see multiple instances of the same store several times between the city and edge of the ‘burbs. Dozens of Starbucks, McDonald’s and Ukrop’s locations dot the landscape all over the metro area.
But a new trend is taking root in Richmond. Communities are popping up that combine working, living and playing in one development. Urban Mixed Use Developments (or UMUs), as they’re officially referred to in the world of city planning, are on the rise all around America. In Richmond, Rocketts Landing and West Broad Village are combining all aspects of life into one area.
Consider it a one-stop-shop for life.
Though both Richmond developments are still under construction, they’re already providing the first residents with not only a place to live, but shopping, dining and entertainment within walking distance. I personally know two families that live in West Broad Village who enjoy strolling to Ledo’s Pizza or Kona Grill for dinner and then walking over to Dave & Buster’s for some late-night fun. It all sounds great, right? Almost like a resort.
Vacation is great. But after a while, everyone would get tired of the people coming and going and the hustle and bustle of resort life if we lived there, right? It’s nice to have everything all together, but I can imagine it might get a little old after a while. It depends on your tastes. Plus, both of Richmond’s UMUs are vastly different from each other.
Rocketts Landing seems to flow into the city and mesh well with its surroundings. Not to mention it’s comprised of many existing buildings with history and character. West Broad Village, however, seems to be a small city in the middle of the Short Pump retail mecca. Still, it’s incredibly nice on the inside.
When you drive through either development, though, you do get the sense that you’re in the midst of an upscale downtown area, but Rocketts Landing still feels more authentic. Step out on your balcony at Rockett’s Landing and you’ll see breathtaking views of the James River and the Richmond city skyline. You can take in the views from the city’s only waterfront restaurant (how sad is it that we only have one?), The Boathouse.
Do the same at West Broad Village and you’ll see not-so-breathtaking views of Target, The Home Depot and Kohl’s. But I digress.
While I can’t speak for Rocketts, it’s no secret that West Broad is largely vacant at the time. Save for a few restaurants such as Kona Grill, Mimi’s Cafe and Ledo’s Pizza, plus nearby Whole Foods, for lease signs fill the entire development.
Still, there are signs of life with one full building of apartments leased out to residents, the opening of Aloft Hotel and the very first retail establishment -- Carytown maternity retailer It’s Hip To Be Round -- its second location just this week at West Broad Village.
The question is whether West Broad Village is merely another victim of the unforgiving economic recession or Short Pump is simply over-saturated with development, recession or not. I think that both developments will do well in time, as the economy picks back up and people get used to the idea of UMUs. It’s a new concept, and you know us Richmonders. It takes us a while to accept any kind of change.
Trevor Dickerson, is the founder and managing editor of DowntownShortPump.com and a regular contributor to Richmond.com.
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