Virginia REALLY needs a some skyline improvements. We've never had an actual tall building or anything.. and with our population density in northern Va, and along our coast, we should have taller buildings.
Here is our tallest, the James Monroe building, built in 1981..
http://www.richmondcitywatch.com/Pictures/ccmonroe1.JPG
http://www.richmondcitywatch.com/Pictures/010/010monroe1.jpg
I live in the state, so I know we definitely need more, taller buildings.
:guns1:

edit

It seems to me that the best chance for a really big high-rise would be in the VA Beach and Norfolk area... It is a large metropolitan area that is sometimes overlooked, and it is quite independent.

Somehow I don't forsee a really tall skyscraper popping up around Northern VA... though they already have some attractive skylines up that way.

Richmond may or may not see such a tower in the near future, but I do think that development will continue as it has been around there for sure.

I know Virginia is for lovers, that's why every time I drive through Richmond I fall in love. Ya'll might not have hugh scrapers, but the Richmond skyline, espesially at night, is off the hook! :clown:

Originally posted by knighttymer

I know Virginia is for lovers, that's why every time I drive through Richmond I fall in love. Ya'll might not have hugh scrapers, but the Richmond skyline, espesially at night, is off the hook! :clown:
agreed:)

It is a shame that Virginia does not even have a 500 ft skyscraper in the entire state. I would agree that Hampton Roads probably would have the best chance of getting a "real" skyscraper. The tallest building in the metro area is the recently completed Armada Hoffler building in Virginia Beach which is a 400 ft. That still 50 ft shorter than The James Monroe building in Richmond. Theres such a military presense in Virginia which explains part of the reason why there are not a lot of huge scrapers. Richmond definitely has the best "downtown" skyline in the state and looks awesome while going on I-95 north.:D

Originally posted by bigbruiser
Richmond definitely has the best "downtown" skyline in the state and looks awesome while going on I-95 north.:D Agreed. Richmond's experience a large amount of infill/redevelopment at the moment, and honestly, I don't think downtown could handle any more construction projects than there currently are. Just the other afternoon when I was visiting someone for lunch, I had to take two different detours on my through downtown...Luckily I was running 15 minutes early b/c I just did make it in time :rant:

With ^^ said, I can't wait to see what's next...and hopefully I'll have a job downtown after graduation :D

Here goes the picture of the skyline:

http://home.schuminweb.info/schuminweb/photography/2003/urban-richmond/01.jpg

Does Arlington have a height limit?

Also, does Tysons Corner have a hight limit? I've always wondered why nothing tall is built in that area [esp. with all the money there].

It seems to me that the best chance for a really big high-rise would be in the VA Beach and Norfolk area... It is a large metropolitan area that is sometimes overlooked, and it is quite independent.

Somehow I don't forsee a really tall skyscraper popping up around Northern VA... though they already have some attractive skylines up that way.

Richmond may or may not see such a tower in the near future, but I do think that development will continue as it has been around there for sure.

i disagree, i think that the northern va economy is the only one in the state that would justify the construction of a truly tall office tower

Norfolk could look so cool if it had a couple more office towers.....

All of NoVa basically has an unspoken hieght limit, plus some areas have real hieght limits due to Reagan National and Dulles. DC has a hieght limit not to build taller than the Capitol, and I think that the outer areas adopted a limit of 400ft, so as to not go taller than the Washington Monument, and also not to befoul too many vistas of the capital city.

looks like Virginia is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

looks like Virginia is stuck between a rock and a hard place.


I could see a a 500 ft scraper going up in the Virginia Beach Town Center in about 10 years or so. The development down there is crazy and finally the beach is starting a little trend to build up instead of out. It's about damn time :cheers:

I could see a a 500 ft scraper going up in the Virginia Beach Town Center in about 10 years or so. The development down there is crazy and finally the beach is starting a little trend to build up instead of out. It's about damn time :cheers:

If the trend continues, then we may have a major skyline on our hands in 10 or 20 so years.

If the trend continues, then we may have a major skyline on our hands in 10 or 20 so years.

What downtown norfolk really needs is a top of the line, 2 million plus square feet convention center capable of hosting the largest of trade shows ... the economic impact would be enormous.

bump

http://www.vabeachtowncenter.com/pix/body_block7.jpg35 story, 400+ ft skyscraper planned at the Town Center in VAB.

Here's 2 better skyline pics, thanks to Richmond City Watch

http://richmondcitywatch.com/albums/album61/080_night09.jpg

http://www.richmondcitywatch.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album57&id=078_skyline_panorama01&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

Richmond has a tall one...tall by like 1915 standards.

-

500+ footers are nothing without some urbanity around them. All major Virginia cities have something to satisfy everyone. Sure, VA may not have the kind of skyscrapers we all want to see in our cities, but I don't think that there is lack of nice towers in the state. I am impressed with what I see every time I pass Richmond, but all these projects in Virginia's cities testify that the state can get 500+ footers any time in the nearest future, and it can happen anywhere. Patience...

Were there any visions, in the past, for 500+ footers that simply did not materialize?

an announcement is expected soon on a new Hilton Hotel in Norfolk, and it has a possibility of becoming Va's tallest. Just wait and see....Norfolk has some good stuff coming.

I can't recall any talk of tall buildings in Richmond. Ever. The city seems more concerned about balance than signature. I'd like something taller, but nothing more than 40-45 floors, which would still be considered short. After a couple of those are built, then 50-60 would be nice. A leap to that height now would wreck downtown and would make everything around it look ridiculously small. It’s a mute point however. I don't think anything with any significant height would ever make it through city hall. People show up with torches and pitchforks at public hearings for 15 story buildings shouting "save our neighborhood". And the neighborhood associations always beat the developers. Anything that encroaches on "historic" views wont be tolerated. I'd love to see it but home and business owners in The Fan and Church Hill don't want to see the tops of skyscrapers above the rooflines of their "historic" properties. There are still some holes in the urban fabric that need to be filled with midrise construction. For Richmond, I'd take four 15 story buildings over one 60 any day.

I think that Tidewater could pull it off though. There is a real drive to become visible down there and the momentum suggests that the market may be ready soon to support it. Sadly, the construction of it would be heavily subsidized by the City of Norfolk. They wont allow VA Beach to get one first and will go bankrupt trying to maintain their status as the only real downtown for Tidewater.

Virginia needs a skyline somewhat like Downtown Atlanta. That would be sweet.

There was the proposed Communications Executive center, which would have been 600 feet tall. It was very close to happening, but it was finally cancelled. That was around 1984.

Then, the proposed James Monroe 2, which would have been 449 feet, was also cancelled.

Just wondering, but where do Virginians consider the "big city" for Virginia? Is it Hampton Roads, Richmond, or the NOVA DC metro? I've wondered this because though Northern Virginia is a major suburb of one of the largest metros, and most significant cities in the country/world, it really doesn't have a distinct central location because DC isn't really Virginia.

I consider it to be Norfolk/VA Beach, or Richmond.

Richmond has a tall one...tall by like 1915 standards.

-
If you can't add anything constructive to the thread just don't say anything.

I agree with everything that has been said. I do think that Richmond and VA beach will both get their towers though. I think with Hampton Roads, with the development and increase in prominence somewhat, it's inevitable. Richmond has the money, if the state wants to they can appopriate more money towards getting people to come in and invest their money into the city of Richmond or any city for that matter. Gov. Warner seems like he'd do something like that. In Nova, I don't see anything extremely tall, but I do see Rosslyn getting a pretty nice skyline. I think Crystal City will continue to develop nice low-rise architecture, but that's b/c of Reagan Natl. Nova has the money, and Rosslyn has the setting for some really really nice high rise development. They can work off the potomac and key bridge and the arlington cemetary and R E Lee's house visible, I think it would be very nice. And they could do it in a way that doesn't overwhelm the historical landmarks they want to preserve. I'd like to see baby steps, I think a 500 ft limit in Rosslyn and Hampton Roads would be a great start. In Richmond, I think 800 ft would be the tallest I'd like to see there for a while.

If Richmond was to get a new tallest, they should put it over where the James Monroe building is. There's not as much 'historic' things over in that part, and there is a few empty spots that could use some tall development.

I passed by Richmond as I was going back to college and I noticed they were building a mulit-story condominium on the James river. I think it's called the Riverside and I think it's about 18 stories. I'm not too certain on the facts but I'm sure you could find it on www.richmondcitywatch.com. There's a lot of good pictures and construction news there.

Office towers seem to be in short supply across the country.

Just towers that are proposed or under construction for Norfolk as of today.

A 25 story and 15 story condo tower
http://www.humphreys.com/images/12144_2_big.jpg

Trader Publishing HQ Tower (21 story office tower)
http://img69.exs.cx/img69/7503/f8-TraderTower3.jpg

Habor's Edge luxury retirement tower - 17 stories w/a twin building in the works.
http://img69.exs.cx/img69/5210/88-harborsedge.jpg

Academic tower (15 stories)
http://media.hamptonroads.com/images/business/tcchq.jpg

Also,

Former owner of BET Robert Johnson plans to build a 25+ story luxury Hilton hotel.

A 35-40 story office tower for the site next to the Courtyard Marriott.

A 14-15 story court complex.

The Tazwell Lots, which is a 12 story condo tower.

A 14 story apartment building on Brambleton Blvd.

Habor's Edge luxury retirement tower - 17 stories w/a twin building in the works.

A TWIN!! really?! :)

Let's see if the academic tower shows up this time.
http://media.hamptonroads.com/images/business/tcchq.jpg

A TWIN!! really?! That's what I hear. Of course there's no guarantee, but the interest for for the first one was/is so overwhelming that they are seriously thinking about another one.

Thanks for the info, everyone... I am sure that VA will soon begin getting very tall towers. As one forumer pointed out, tall skyscrapers are in short supply lately, but things have already begun to change. Norfolk may attract the bulk in high-rise development, but I am confident that other VA areas will catch up... not that they are behind, anyway.

Here's 2 better skyline pics, thanks to Richmond City Watch

http://richmondcitywatch.com/albums/album61/080_night09.jpg

http://www.richmondcitywatch.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album57&id=078_skyline_panorama01&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php
Wow, what an awesome pic. Thats the Richmond i fell in love with the first time i drove through :) .

Richmond has a great skyline. All it needs is one signature tower, and it would be set.

eeeeaaahhh...I think it may need a bit more than that, but the lights definatly help :). I wonder about Norfolk passin it up with these 7 cranes I keep hearing about...

Richmond has the great density. All it needs is one tower to rise above the rest.....I'm being realistic, but yes, a few more talls would be nice :).

Also, I went down to Danville Saturday, and I saw 3-4 cranes all over the city. I hope something tall will come out of it.

I also saw a tallish building being built in Martinsville...It had cranes and stuff around it.

I once knew a kid from Danville. He invited me home one time during a break from school but I had other plans. He didn't really rave about the area too much, and it was a job just trying to understand what the guy was saying sometimes.

I've never heard of Martinsville. I just looked it up on mapquest and the Census. Is it a large area (much around the town?)

It's really not that big. It's metro area is under 100,000.

I wonder about Norfolk passin it up with these 7 cranes I keep hearing about... That's probably a safe bet.

I've been thinking...the Granby towers won't really have a big effect on the skyline at all. They're so far away from actual downtown from what i remember. But maybe they're trying to create an uptown or really just get that area of norfolk started.

I've been thinking...the Granby towers won't really have a big effect on the skyline at all. Looking from the Portsmouth side it probably won't have that much effect. But coming from I-64, Midtown Tunnel, and north Norfolk it should add to the skyline a lot.

I've been thinking...the Granby towers won't really have a big effect on the skyline at all. They're so far away from actual downtown from what i remember. But maybe they're trying to create an uptown or really just get that area of norfolk started.
Actually it seems like their trying to create more of a midtown that stretches from granby to Harbors Edge.

Looking from the Portsmouth side it probably won't have that much effect. But coming from I-64, Midtown Tunnel, and north Norfolk it should add to the skyline a lot.
It'll definately add a lot to the skyline coming in from 264 from the beach. You can see all the way from waterside to the radisson from that direction.

And even on water approaches from the north it will be a good addition, as well as on approaches from the Midtown Tunnel. And your supposition about getting something started in that part of downtown is right. They really want to extend Granby Street's energy across Brambleton Ave and up into East Ghent.

Martinsville is small, only 15,000, with 20-30,000 around it.

Danville-A very cool city. Very urban and stuff.
It sort of reminded me of a little Richmond. It has long bridges that go to downtown, and downtown is a very attractive place. It has tall hotels and churches, very historic buildings, overall a very nice place.
And, population numbers dont mean everything. Alot of Virginia forumers on this thread look to poplation numbers instead of the city and its attractions. VERY short-sighted of you all. If you think Norfolk is a better than Roanoke, Danville, etc because it has a larger population, then you are very sadly mistaken.

Of course. It's not ONLY the population that makes it better :bleh: :jk:

Martinsville is small, only 15,000, with 20-30,000 around it.

Danville-A very cool city. Very urban and stuff.
It sort of reminded me of a little Richmond. It has long bridges that go to downtown, and downtown is a very attractive place. It has tall hotels and churches, very historic buildings, overall a very nice place.
And, population numbers dont mean everything. Alot of Virginia forumers on this thread look to poplation numbers instead of the city and its attractions. VERY short-sighted of you all. If you think Norfolk is a better than Roanoke, Danville, etc because it has a larger population, then you are very sadly mistaken.
Why do you believe the Roanoke region is better than the Norfolk region?

You missed the point. It was an example, a mere phrase to back the whole point I was trying to make, which is don't judge a freekin' city just because it has 'Under 100,000', or whatever. The Southwest/Southside part of the state is constantly run down in the state and on the forum, and I'm getting pretty sick and tired of it. Even if it is in a small, subtle comment or two. The intention was there, and it's just getting a tad monotonous.

Why do you believe the Roanoke region is better than the Norfolk region?
Probably the same reason we think Norfolk is better than Roanoke. Look at where hes from. He's entitled to a little bias. :yes:

Sorry if I have lost my temper a bit, but after hearing constant crap on tv from Richmond about how many millions that they're cutting from Southwest VA, and how were the part of the state that drags everyone down, etc, and then I have to come onto the board and hear it. Its just an overload, I suppose :).

Hope you guys don't mind if I post some Danville picsfrom last year. The downtown wasn't too active, but the old mills area was being rehabbed and seemed pretty nice.

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/3117/375danv09.jpg

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/3117/375danv08.jpg

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/3117/375danv07.jpg

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/3117/375danv06.jpg

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/3117/375danv05.jpg

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/3117/375danv04.jpg

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/3117/375danv03.jpg

If anyone knows, what's with the crane activity mentioned above?

Great pics, Ex-Ithacan, great pics!!! They all have your name written all over them (hint: clouds) :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious

Glad to see you here :)

Thank you very much for the photos. It's really a very nice city...alot of places are abandoned and in decay, but the city is doing a good job to bring them back again. Downtown is reallly beautiful, with the churches, and the bridges are amazing.

I saw about 3 cranes in Danville.....I'm not sure what they were doing, though. 2 were located across the river from downtown. The other, I can't remember...

Hey alright! Danville pics! Good to see.

This building's design reminds me of the O'Henry Hotel in Greensboro.

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/3117/375danv08.jpg

I really like cities like Danville and Asheville. Not too big, not too small, lots of culture and history, and great architecture.

Virginia needs a skyline somewhat like Downtown Atlanta. That would be sweet.

:ohno: :lurker:

Richmond needs to compliment it's own exciting skyline...not try to emulate another city.

Great pics, Ex-Ithacan, great pics!!! They all have your name written all over them (hint: clouds) :hilarious :hilarious :hilarious

Glad to see you here :)

LOL, thanks R-NC. I've been spending more time over here, and nice to hear from you. :)

Sorry if I have lost my temper a bit, but after hearing constant crap on tv from Richmond about how many millions that they're cutting from Southwest VA, and how were the part of the state that drags everyone down, etc, and then I have to come onto the board and hear it. Its just an overload, I suppose :).
what does that have to do with Norfolk?They try that crap with hampton roads as well, look at the road issue we have here and they build more than they need in Richmond.

what does that have to do with Norfolk?They try that crap with hampton roads as well, look at the road issue we have here and they build more than they need in Richmond.
Nice to see you made it over here. :)

what does that have to do with Norfolk?They try that crap with hampton roads as well, look at the road issue we have here and they build more than they need in Richmond.

Yes, what does any of the paragraph that you quoted have to do with Norfolk? Absoloutely nothing.


''If you think Norfolk is a better than Roanoke, Danville, etc because it has a larger population, then you are very sadly mistaken.''

THAT was my quote that actually even involved Norfolk, and it was used as an EXAMPLE. Apparently, no one understands the difference.

Yes, what does any of the paragraph that you quoted have to do with Norfolk? Absoloutely nothing.


''If you think Norfolk is a better than Roanoke, Danville, etc because it has a larger population, then you are very sadly mistaken.''

THAT was my quote that actually even involved Norfolk, and it was used as an EXAMPLE. Apparently, no one understands the difference.
dude i don't know what caused you to act this way but norfolk has no beef with roanoke. i got beef with richmond and how they treat the rest of the state. you need to chill out dude. :bash:

I think alot of people fail to realize what drives skylines to be produced....it is rarely up to the government to have them create a great skyline for their city LOL.

If you don't have the mental capabilites to understand what I said, then I'm through talking with you. Norfolk was used as a fuckin' example. I could put Denver, New York, LA, any city.

SChristopher, it would seem an obvious fact.

Yeah your right SChristopher. Skylines just happen as private developments are built. I don't think there is ever really a master plan they follow.

It's kind of funny but I never realized there was such animosity towards Richmond from people in the HR area. You all have to realize your road problems stem from all the water around you, not some Richmond conspiracy. Any road project that would help alleviate traffic would have to involve bridges and tunnels which are incredibly expensive ventures. There are simply too many people and too few bridge-tunnels. You all have to come to terms with the fact that roads aren't your solution to better traffic. Either you have to start working and playing on your side of the water or the HR local governments should start looking into light-rail.

Well said. HR can't simply tunnel its way out of its traffic probs.

Although the price would be hefty, I really believe Hampton Roads should start an all-out rail system across the region. It would do wonders in the future. Imagine connecting Newport News/Hampton to Downtown Norfolk, Va beach towncenter, the airport, ocean front, and major military installations. People wouldn't need cars nearly as much anymore, and we wouldn't need another crossing to the peninsula.

Yeah, that's what would happen ultimately with a rail system down there anyway. But yeah, it would be expensive and take a while to develop, but it would be great.

yeah a rail system is good...but with the buildings...:blahblah: i lived here most of my life, and everytime they begin to construct something I get excited, and then later dissapointed at the fact that its almost as short as my house..(an exaggeration)...but I hope this city center in newport news is going to help out. It looks quite similar to towne center in VABeach...(well alot of things in hampton roads seem to ressemble each other for some riddiculas reason!!!

City Center (Newport News)DAY...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y206/rockknoxcitypics/citycenter1.jpg
City Center (Newport News)NIGHT...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y206/rockknoxcitypics/newportnews.jpg

VABeach Towne Center
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y206/rockknoxcitypics/armadahofflertower.jpg
...dont it just look like a taller version of what was built in newport news...i know they may have the same architects but..im so annoyed at the fact that everything looks alike in this area...My high school is an identical-twin of another high school which is located in the uptown area of the city!!!..and all the construction they doing on the peninsula is giving us more places to shop!!how many more wal-marts , food-lions, and shopping centers can i take!!!!-VABeach is the largest in the state...why can't it buildings be also:?

VABeach Towne Center
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y206/rockknoxcitypics/armadahofflertower.jpg
...dont it just look like a taller version of what was built in newport news...i know they may have the same architects but..im so annoyed at the fact that everything looks alike in this area...My high school is an identical-twin of another high school which is located in the uptown area of the city!!!..and all the construction they doing on the peninsula is giving us more places to shop!!how many more wal-marts , food-lions, and shopping centers can i take!!!!-VABeach is the largest in the state...why can't it buildings be also:?

Well, beginning in august they are starting construction on a 38 story tower to join it. It will be the tallest in the state. More info can be found here Westin (http://www.residencesatwestin.com) and here Westin info (http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=10937)

Nashville has the same problem, we can't really get a signature tower either. Our tallest with spire is the 660 foot Bellsouth Tower.

Nashville has the same problem, we can't really get a signature tower either. Our tallest with spire is the 660 foot Bellsouth Tower.
660ft! What the hell are you complaining about. Thats awesome (by Virginia standards at least).

I have family in the Hampton Roads area, and the lack of tall skyscrapers kinda surprised me, but that would be a boost to an area that already that looks great.

I'm gonna beat the dead horse a bit...

The thing about Richmond is that we have through traffic.

I-95, I-64 and I-295 serve non-residents as well as Richmonders. Road needs based on Richmond's population would be ridiculous. Once again, we are at the intersection of two major interstates, new roads (that serve locals, no passers through) are toll roads (got to pay to play). The only exception is rt 288 and that is the only road that has been built in the last 20 years. The two West Point bridges in HR probably cost the same. That project alone makes for a wash.

Yes it is true that some tourists do pass through HR on their way to the Outer Banks but it really doesn't compare to through traffic and commercial traffic on I-95 and I-64. Don't hate us because we are beautiful :) You'll have a building soon that will make us in Richmond jealous, its all good.

You'll have a building soon that will make us in Richmond jealous, its all good.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/vdogg/L_IMAGE.jpg

An architect's rendering of the proposed Granby Tower in downtown Norfolk.

The Norfolk Planning Commission has given preliminary approval to a new skyscraper in downtown Norfolk. The 31-story Granby Tower would become the tallest residential building in the region.


Developers presented sketches of the building to the Commission on Thursday. The exterior of the 450-foot high rise will be primarily blue tinted glass, aluminum and stainless steel, with a 100 ft. spire. Architect Bryan Moore said he hopes the design will remind people of the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building in New York

And if I'm reading this right the total structural height should be 550 ft.

Are you jealous yet!? :)

Here's 2 better skyline pics, thanks to Richmond City Watch

http://richmondcitywatch.com/albums/album61/080_night09.jpg

http://www.richmondcitywatch.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album57&id=078_skyline_panorama01&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php





Yanno, some people say that having a skyline outlined in lights was tacky, and I never agreed. The first time I ever saw that was Salt Lake City. Excellent photos.

That is a smaller Empire state building!

Either the ESB or the Chrysler was what the architect said he was shooting for.

Here is a resized pic so we can get a better feel for floor count and design
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/vdogg/resized.jpg

Looks good, how far away is it from the downtown core?

Looks good, how far away is it from the downtown core?
Maybe a quarter of a mile at most (at the intersection of Brambleton and Granby, across from the federal courthouse). It's over by the Radisson if you're familiar with the area. It will be visible in all skyline views but the best view will probably be 264 coming in from Va. Beach. There are 2 highrises currently under construction and 1 other in the very initial planning stages in that particular area so we will basically have 2 skylines with a short gap in between them.

Any new information on the Hilton project? It seems to be dead.

Any new information on the Hilton project? It seems to be dead.
No developement agreement has been signed as yet but this project is very much alive. Demolition is going to begin soon. Beecroft & Bull has already closed it's doors and Pete Decker has to be out of his building by July 31st though supposedly they will be gone by mid June. The parking lot is also slated to close by mid June with initial site work/demolition to begin sometime after that. You can find more info on it here. Hilton Hotel (http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=9440&view=findpost&p=111613)