Shockoe Bottom Housing Project Proposed in Richmond

A new proposal for more than 400 housing units in Shockoe Bottom could soon transform the area near Main Street Station.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Commercial

Gouache-painted illustration showing a dense modern brick residential complex and a distant clock tower silhouette, representing urban development in Richmond. — Historic Housing has filed for rezoning in Richmond's Shockoe Bottom, proposing a dense 400-unit residential project near the historic Main Street Station. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe large-scale residential redevelopments improve the character of historic neighborhoods in your area?

Historic Housing has filed rezoning applications to transform three properties in Richmonds Shockoe Bottom neighborhood into a residential complex. The proposed redevelopment project aims to add more than 400 new dwelling units across 2.1 acres near Main Street Station.

Why it matters

The proposal marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to revitalize the historic Shockoe Bottom area. If approved, the project could alter the neighborhood landscape by replacing aging infrastructure with dense residential development.

The plan includes 225 units at 1601 East Grace and 1600-1610 East Franklin streets, 173 units at 200-222 N. 17th St., and 52 units at 1800 E. Grace St. The site assemblage, currently valued at $5.9 million, includes a 1910s-era warehouse.

The players

Historic Housing

A developer working to invest in and revitalize urban districts through large-scale residential projects.

The Loving family

Long-term property owners who held the Shockoe Bottom sites since at least the 1960s.

The details

The developer, Historic Housing, seeks a TOD-1 Transit Oriented Nodal District rezoning to facilitate the construction of higher-density buildings in the area. This classification would allow for building heights up to 12 stories, contrasting with the citys proposed MX-13 draft zoning. The project relies on site-specific designs to repurpose the land, which has been held by the Loving family since at least the 1960s.

1910s: Construction of the warehouse on the site.
1960s: The Loving family began owning the properties.
2020: Macfarlane Partners identified the lots for potential redevelopment.
2021: Initial rezoning for a separate project was approved.
Last week: Historic Housing filed the current rezoning applications.

The Home Front

This proposal sits within the broader context of Richmonds ongoing urban land-use planning and the citys Code Refresh draft. It reflects a shift toward higher-density residential development in historically industrial corridors near major transit hubs like Main Street Station.

Residents near Shockoe Bottom should monitor upcoming city planning meetings to understand how building height and density changes might affect neighborhood infrastructure. Homeowners and renters in the area can review the zoning applications on the city planning portal to see site designs.

The takeaway

The proposed addition of 400 residential units signals a significant densification for the Shockoe Bottom district. Interested parties should watch for public hearing dates regarding the TOD-1 rezoning request to understand the timeline for construction.