“Broad St. Old and Historic District, Richmond, Virginia: Guidelines and Standards”, 1986

Colored drawings of ideally renovated West Broad St. 100 Odd block, 00 Odd block & 00 Even block

An informative and visually intriguing resource on Richmond architecture and design, “Broad St. Old and Historic District, Richmond, Virginia” was a guide for owners and developers of properties in this historic commercial area. Available online through VCU Libraries’ Digital Collections, this resource was published in 1986, through the joint efforts of the Historic Richmond Foundation, Richmond Renaissance, the Commission of Architectural Review, the Virginia Division of Historic Landmarks, and the Urban Design/Historic Preservation Section of the City of Richmond’s Department of Planning and Community Development. Old photographs from the publication are credited to the Valentine Museum. 

“The Broad Street Old and Historic District was designated on October 28, 1985, and initially spanned the area between Henry Street and First Street. After a 1995 district expansion, the District now covers more than 20 acres and 115 properties between Belvidere and First Streets in Richmond’s downtown” [Text taken from the VCU Libraries’ webpage].

The resource aims to provide guidelines and standards for renovations and design choices to preserve the unique architecture and character of the Broad St. Old and Historic District, and to encourage a well-kept and cohesive look. The document outlines the general characteristics that the structures share, as well as the different intensities of renovation options. Specific guidelines and standards for the architecture, accessories, and signs on the buildings are further elaborated upon. 

Guidelines and Standards page for Accessories and Signs

The rest of the publication displays each block of the district, with an old panoramic picture from the 1920s, a drawing of the proposed renovations for the buildings, and a modern photograph of the block. Underneath the images are blocks of text for each building with specific information on the building and recommendations. 

West Broad St. 100 Even Block

West Broad St. 100 Odd Block

Present-day design guidelines used for Richmond’s Old and Historic Districts can be found on the Commission of Architectural Review’s webpage on the Richmond Government website.

-- Gabrielle Dietrich, VCU undergraduate majoring in International Studies and French with a minor in History. She graduates in the Spring of 2024.