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The City of Richmond: East End Richmond has grown significantly from its 32-block beginnings in 1737 in the East End known as Church Hill. This historic area is the oldest intact residential area in the city. Surrounding St. John’s Episcopal Church, where Patrick Henry made his famous “give me liberty or give me death” speech in 1775, are house styles from all eras. From Federal to Greek Revival to Victorian, all add to the attractive mix that lures residents and admirers both. Many streets have gas lamps and brick sidewalks; several parks and the hilltop view of the James River and the city’s downtown skyline contribute to the old-fashioned ambience. The Jackson Ward neighborhood adjoins downtown and offers a mix of opportunities from renovated homes to fixer-uppers. Many houses have been built in a Greek Revival or an Italianate style. Its proximity to the undergraduate, graduate, and medical campuses of Virginia Commonwealth University add to its appeal. The Fan had its beginnings in an 18th century tavern in the Scuffletowne area but serious growth began when Monument Avenue was laid out in 1887. Great mansions were built in a wide diversity of styles, including Romanesque Revival, Tudor-Jacobean, Italianate, and Georgian. Many townhouses, all deceptive in size and most with distinctive Victorian influence, line the surrounding streets as they “fan out” westward from downtown and Monroe Park. This historic district has benefited from high quality renovation in recent years and its eclectic but dedicated residents enjoy the many parks, statues, restaurants, museums, and specialty shopping areas within its borders. Northside The Northside neighborhoods of Ginter Park, Bellevue, and Sherwood Park were often referred to as the “Queen of the Suburbs” when Richmond expanded in this direction around the beginning of the 20th century. Styles here range from American Four Squares and Victorian cottages to Italianate, Spanish, and Georgian. These neighborhoods today boast strong community involvement and continue to draw newcomers impressed by the many front porches, large lots, and quality construction. In addition, the adjacent parks, the hospitals, and the shopping areas add strength not only to the recreational quality of life here but also to the convenience of daily living. West End The West End neighborhoods, that are collectively known as the Westhampton area, have long been a desirable address. Situated west of Interstate 195 and east of the Country Club of Virginia and made up of more than 20 active civic associations, the house styles range from small Cape Cods and medium-sized Colonials to large Georgian and Tudor mansions with substantial acreage. There are also various condominiums and apartment complexes and an exclusive gated community overlooking the river. Windsor Farms and Hampton Gardens, Lockgreen and Tuckahoe Terrace, Glenburnie and Stonewall Court, and Malvern Gardens are some of the more well known neighborhoods. Those addresses with coveted river views have a cachet all their own. Also in this area are the historic Virginia House and Agecroft Hall, both of which were old English manor houses, disassembled and brought over stone by stone and now open to the public. An active and upscale shopping district with restaurants and a movie theater add to the vitality of the Westhampton area and a number of highly regarded private schools are also located here. Southside Just south of the James River, which is bordered by many parks and offers multiple public access sites as well as picnic areas and boat put-ins, are many desirable wooded neighborhoods with rolling hills and river views. Westover Hills has many 1920’s and 30’s examples of diverse architectural styles including Spanish Colonials and Tudor revivals. Stratford Hills developed a little later with ranches, Cape Cods, and Dutch Colonials. There are also the more recent neighborhoods of Huguenot Farms, whose house styles include Transitionals and Contemporaries, and Hobby Hills with its tri-levels, ranches, and Colonials. |
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