Three buildings at the Reynolds property at the intersections of Glenside Drive, 64 and West Broad Street in the Near West End are due to be complete in the Spring of 2008. Likely, you’ve noticed these projects already, either on your way up Glenside Drive, or from 64. At Glenside and Forest the Bon Secours Building glass is starting to go up, but neighbors are still struggling with how monstrous and unscreened this building is from their back yard. Although the building is 2 stories shorter then originally proposed and set deeper into the hill and farther away from the Charles Glen community houses, it is still way to close for the comfort of those whose property abuts the project. Screening ideas to make the project more tolerable to neighbors include planting bamboo and raising the height of the privacy fence.

Richmonders, what do you think of this project?

The other 2 buildings being constructed currently on the Reynolds Crossing Property include a Westin Hotel, also scheduled for completion in Spring of 2008. It will be closer to the West Broad Street, Philip Morris USA side of the property, close to 64. And an office building that is styled to look similar to the Alcoa office building that is already built on that property and that is currently undergoing a floor-by-floor renovation also scheduled to be complete in Spring of ‘08.

The tenants from the Alcoa building are being moved in to the brand new building to make way for a new tenant who is leasing the entire Alcoa building. One can only guess, but it seems likely to me that Philip Morris USA/Altria is the new tenant for the Alcoa building since it is attached to the historic Reynolds building via an underground tunnel — AND they announce recently (as reported here on NWEN) that Philip Morris USA’s parent company, Altria, will be moving their headquarters here from New York in the near future.

Other parts of the project which have changed considerably since Reynolds proposed putting a 24-hour Wal-mart at the location 3 years ago. A Bookbinders restaurant (not specified if it will be a casual grill style like in Chesterfield, or more formal like the one in Shockoe Bottom), with a patio, and a Max and Erma’s franchise (currently they have a location at at Ridgefield and John Rolfe Parkways) will squeeze in close together near the Westin Hotel and share a parking area. Their opening dates are yet to be determined. The last piece of the puzzle would be a daycare.

Beyond that, there is a large plot of land at the northeast corner of Forest and Glenside drives that is approved for 24 hour use (like a gas station), but Charles Glen neighbors to the development are hoping for more offices rather than a 24-hour anything. And who can blame them. MeadWestvaco was considering this site for their corporate headquarters, but chose downtown instead. (Actually, in the sense of full disclosure, I should mention that I live in Charles Glen, close enough to hear the construction and be directly affected by the development myself).

Again, Richmonders, what do you think of this development?