Eggleston Plaza
Eggleston Plaza
As a pillar of the Historic Jackson Ward neighborhood in the 1940’s,’50’s, and ‘60’s, Richmond’s Eggleston Hotel was well known for providing comfortable, safe lodging for African American travelers passing through the city. Featured in the 1947 edition of the Green Book, the Hotel housed guests including music legends James Brown and Duke Ellington, comedian Redd Foxx, and baseball’s Joe Black. Today the Eggleston family legacy lives on in the community through the popular local restaurants Croaker’s Spot and Sugar’s Crab Shack, and now also through the Eggleston Plaza.
Situated on the former site of the Eggleston Hotel, Eggleston Plaza, built in 2016, houses 42 garden apartments and a ground floor commercial restaurant and retail space. The development was led by The Hanson Company, whose owner Kelvin Hanson has roots in Richmond and prioritized creating a space for long-time residents of Jackson Ward to age in place. Each apartment was designed with high efficiency HVAC systems and Energy Star windows and appliances, reducing utility costs for residents. The building also features a community room and fitness area for resident use.
In the past decade significant investments have been made in Jackson Ward, drawing new business and development. While the expansion of VCU into the neighborhood has raised concerns about gentrification, it has also drawn attention to important revitalizing cultural projects like the renovation of the Hippodrome Theater and the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, and the creation of the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, all integral to preserving Jackson Ward’s heritage. The Eggleston Plaza provides affordable housing options that are central to these sites and within easy access of downtown.
In addition to VCDC’s $1.5MM in LIHTC equity from the Housing Equity Fund of Virginia XVIII, Eggleston Plaza received funding from the City of Richmond and VHDA.
Location:
Richmond, VA
Date of Closing:
2016
Development Partner:
The Hanson Company Development, LP
Total Units:
42 apartments and 1 retail space
Project Cost:
$6,327,740
Private Equity Invested:
$1,477,000
