Richmond picks developer to convert city-owned parking lot in Shockoe into mixed-income housing
Richmond officials announced Thursday that they have chosen Shockoe Shines RVA LLC, a company affiliated with local developer Historic Housing, to redevelop a municipal parking lot in Shockoe Bottom into a mixed-income residential building.
The project at 212 North 18th St. “is a great example of how we can take an underutilized city-owned property and turn it into new housing, economic opportunity, and long-term value for Richmond,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “The interest in this site shows its potential to provide housing that is close to jobs, education, healthcare, transit, and recreation — an opportunity that all Richmonders deserve to have.”
The proposal put forward by Shockoe Shines would include 190 residential units, at least 57 of which would be reserved for households whose income is less than 80% of the area median income.
While area median income limits are adjusted by the federal government annually, 80% AMI in Richmond in 2026 is $63,600 for one person, $72,650 for two people and $90,800 for four people.
Sarah Vogelsong
The building would be named “Seabrook,” after the Seabrook tobacco warehouse that once stood there.
The deal is not yet complete. City officials said contract negotiations with Shockoe Shines are still ongoing, and the City Council will also have to approve disposition of the land because the property is publicly owned.
The city release said construction could begin as early as August 2027.
Eight developers submitted ideas to revamp the site after Richmond issued a request for proposals in November 2025 as part of a broader push to begin repurposing city-owned lots as a way to address shortages of affordable housing.
Three finalists, including Shockoe Shines, publicly presented their proposals this June.
Sarah Vogelsong
Richmond’s Department of Housing and Community Development said it chose Shockoe Shines “based off an assessment of the project’s ability to bring residential growth to Shockoe Bottom, as well as the strengths of the team’s experience with development in the Richmond market, the financial feasibility of the project, the expected delivery date, and the project design.”
Historic Housing LLC, which is affiliated with Shockoe Shines, has been an active player in the Richmond market for many years and recently constructed The Bakery apartment building next door to the 18th Street site. It is led by local developers Daniel Salomonsky and David White.
Besides the Shockoe Bottom parking lot, Richmond has put forward three other city-owned parcels as candidates for redevelopment: another parking lot in Manchester, the Richmond Police Department’s former First District Precinct headquarters on Q Street in Church Hill and a former school on Chamberlayne Avenue once envisioned as a new Planned Parenthood clinic.
Contact Reporter Sarah Vogelsong at svogelsong@richmonder.org
