Exciting Progress is Being Made at Midtown Row
On Thursday, Midtown Row will celebrate one of many big milestones in the development process with the grand reopening of Marshalls.
The popular department store will occupy 21,000-square-feet of retail space in what’s being called Building 7, an existing structure that underwent heavy renovation and already houses Sal’s by Victor and the ABC Store.
Slated for completion in 2021, construction has been underway at the intersection of Richmond Road and Monticello Avenue since 2018. Described as Williamsburg’s new “City Center”, Midtown Row will be a curated retail experience and residential district complete with restaurants, shops, apartments, entertainment, office space as well as a village green featuring outdoor programming and community event space.
As part of this first phase of development, Henderson Inc. is making improvements to the parking lot in front of the new Marshalls location. Renovations include landscaping work, new parking lot lighting and new facades along Building 7 that will begin at Marshalls and go all the way to Sal’s by Victor.
Aras Holden, vice president of asset management and acquisitions at Broad Street Realty and head of the Midtown Row project, says the construction is being done in several phases. So far, they have been working on the existing Williamsburg Shopping Center (Food Lion, Ace Hardware, Sal’s by Victor) and Monticello Shopping Center (Nawab, Earth Fare), which are being labeled as buildings 6, 7, 8 and 9. “They are the legacy buildings,” says Holden. “There will be a total of nine buildings including four multi-use buildings and a parking garage with 246 spots.”
Holden says while they have made some progress on the renovations of the legacy buildings, they are currently working through the permitting process for the new construction that is still to come. “We are hoping to get a shovel in the ground sometime this summer, so beginning in July and August you will see it really pick up steam.”
“These buildings and improvements have been in dire need of some attention for quite some time, so this is just part of our upgrading efforts to modernize them and bring them into a suitable condition,” says Holden.
A few highlights of the project include:
- 56,176 square feet of NEW retail space
- Brand new residential accommodations for up to 624 residents
- 6,585 square feet of premium office space
- Enhanced streetscaping and other displays including murals and other art installations
According to Holden, there will be 240 units and configurations of residential space ranging from one bedroom to four bedrooms. For those who decide to lease a room at Midtown Row, they will experience a very amenity-rich lifestyle, complete with modern finishes, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, balconies, outdoor space, a pool, two Jacuzzis, outdoor BBQ and grill area, gym, yoga/stretch space, multiple entertainment rooms and a coffee/breakfast bar. Space will begin leasing next summer.
Because of Midtown Row’s proximity to the William & Mary campus, Holden foresees the area being a popular spot for college students to lease a room, but they aren’t marketing only to them. “I think we will receive interest from a number of different demographics in the area,” he says. “There’s really going to be something for everyone, no matter their age.”
The residential layout will feature four stories of living space with ground-level retail underneath. While it is still too early to list the retailers that will occupy Midtown Row, Holden was able to confirm that they are going to have a very food and beverage oriented retail program and are hoping to anchor it all with Building 9. Building 9 presents a unique opportunity for a food hall, entertainment or brewery concept that will serve as an integral part of Williamsburg’s city center.
Holden says Midtown Row will bring an urban feel that is truly unique to the Williamsburg area. “The environment is designed to be pedestrian and cycling oriented but automobile friendly,” he says. “It’s a place where you can come and shop, hang out in the village green listening to live music, stop by a restaurant or brewery and grab a treat at the ice cream parlor. The goal is to create a gathering space for the community.”
As for the next big milestone in the project, Broad Street will demolish the rest of the existing buildings in the Williamsburg Shopping Center behind Building 7 to make room for the four mixed-use residential and retail buildings.
Formerly Monticello Shopping Center, Building 10 is anchored by Earth Fare, the region’s first organic grocer. According to the leasing brochure, Building 10 also provides an excellent opportunity for a brewery.
Midtown Row is slated to be the new gateway to Williamsburg, with a goal of connecting residents, students and tourists. It’s an exciting time to live in the Colonial Capital!
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