Style Weekly’s Edwin Slipek Jr. delves into the history and architectural import of the old WRVA tower, now the headquarters for the nonprofit ChildSavers.
ChildSavers, an organization providing care for local children since 1924, has renewed one of the city’s most visible and important mid-20th-century architectural landmarks. […] A row of dilapidated brick houses near the corner of East Grace and 22nd streets, in the then-rejuvenating historic district, was demolished and an intriguing, Acropolis-like broadcasting complex was completed in 1968. It was a brilliant move architecturally on the part of the radio station, as the facility all but claimed Richmond: Its broadcasters looked out from their studios through cargo-bay-sized windows over the downtown skyline, the sweep of the James River and the curves of Interstate 95.
19 comments
We miss seeing at Christmas time the cross and other lights on the tower that shined towards the city and quite visible coming up the hill. It was like a part of Richmond died when WRVA moved out of the building.
But the comment about a row of brick houses being torn down in 1968 for this modern structure brings us back to preservation issues.
Eric
I don’t know how anyone can see this structure as anything other then ugly! What a nice park that property would make.
Di, the area around it is Taylor’s Hill, and it’s basically a park, there are benches for sitting and a lovely view.
The building was designed by Philip Johnson, an important 20th century architect. I personally happen to love the architecture, although if someone tried to tear down some houses now to build it, I’d be upset. But given what the area was when it was built, I agree with Mr. Slipek that it was a good move. It was vacant for a good while when WRVA moved out, and I’m glad that someone has taken over the building and not tried to make any changes in the architecture.
I moved to Richmond shortly after it was built, and I have fond memories of visiting Lou Dean there in the dead of night when he did the midnight to dawn broadcast back in the 70’s. I not only don’t think it’s ugly, I LIKE it! It was an early stimulus to the area, and had a positive impact in spite of the modern architecture, perhaps because of being sort of on the western edge of the historic district where it begins to merge into more commercial structures (at least they are commercial now at this point in time).
I agree with Celeste to a certain degree. It was built in an era where modern and futuristic architecture was in vogue. Everyone was thinking of the space age and how to be more like it and this building’s design fits right in. Even I was at the time. But that was then and this is now where we have lost so many historic homes that they are becoming extremely scarce and a permanent loss and we should not simply erase the past.
The WRVA building has become a part of Richmond’s fabric being there for the past 40 years and it too should now be preserved.
Eric
I agree with Eric. As a new parent I look to the past for guidance. As a homeowner I look forward to a future living with the Hill’s history. It is our obligation to preserve our past in order to preserve our future! Lets Roll!
~G
Save the building. Destroy the tower.
Last time I was at the tower I noticed that there were couches and debris in the back. It was like a bunch of junkies were living behind there. I say destroy the druggies and then destroy the tower.
Lets Roll!
-G
Lots of stuff happens in and around that tower because, despite the fact it has a 6′ fence with a heavy duty bolt lock on the gate AND the door to the tower itself, people still manage to get up, over and in.
Druggies and crackheads are typically not historic preservationists.
I want to go clear’em out McCain style if anyone cares to join me. This neighborhood is crazy enough without these homeless idiots smoking their poison and getting drunk in the tower.
smoke’m out. Lets Roll!!
-G
Why destroy the tower, it goes perfectly with the building? It doesn’t interrupt anyone’s view and if you went up in it I’m sure the view would be one of the best in the city, it would be great to have a webcam up there, broadcasting Church Hill’s view of the city. I always wanted to go up in it but never got around to it, might be a good place to watch the fireworks tonight. To keep the junkies out just get some real fencing and put up some lights, not that big of a deal.
I just got back from the overlook, the view was no good for watching fireworks but I took a look at the tower. It is sealed up with heavy gauge steel gates, you have to go up twenty feet or so to get in. There is no way junkies are getting in there to hang out, there is no debris anywhere, and it is well lighted. HummerDoc and Crystal, take another look.
Where there is a will, there is a way. People used to do it all the time and I’m told they used to find various debris in there all the time. I believe the gates/fencing are fairly new, as installed in the last few years and it has been a while since I’ve been around it.
Crystal and HummerDoc, there were junkies there but it was just after WRVA vacated the premises. I lived across the street in 2000, and there were some problems when it was vacant. However, that was eight years ago. Listen to Ramzi, go take a look – it’s secure now. Ramzi’s obviously got the most recent view of it!
Ramzi, I agree with you about the tower. In my mind, it’s an integral part of the building, I hope they never tear it down.
Exiting off the RMA/95north I noticed how well the tower works within the landscape of chimney and smoke stacks and water towers. Now if we could get a steeple on that church on Broad, that would be a huge compositional plus – /2008/05/04/why-that-church-does-not-have-a-steeple/ .
A broadcasting tower on a hill also works on a metaphorical level especially from a place called Church Hill.
Gray, I agree with the steeple needing to be replaced, but seem to remember others, years ago, trying to raise money to help put one back there. Someone had an estimate of at least 150,000 to do an aluminum steeple that would match what had originally been there…it sure would be great if it could be replaced, though!
As to the building pictured here, the former radio station, it isn’t really clear in this photo but the openings in the tower mirror the windows in the building, and it’s as if the building anchors the tower. I need to read the entire article in Style…
I still say tear the eyesore down!!
The tower represents the failure of modernism, and is such a hippy dippy design. It has no value except that it is a hang out for homeless weirdos.
It might be valuable as a civil defense post or some type of anti-terrorism center, but otherwise, it is just another empty useless monolith.
Lets Roll -G
how about a neat cigar bar and grille?
Great idea Bud! Stogies and Brewski’s…
our The Tower of Power
Lets Roll, -G