The Northside
Geographically, Richmond’s Northside is east of Interstate 95 and north of Interstate 64. It is one of Richmond’s first streetcar suburbs and includes neighborhoods such as Bellevue, Ginter Park, Rosedale, Laburnum Park, Barton Heights and Highland Park in the city, as well as Bryan Park and Lakeside in Henrico County. While each neighborhood has its own eclectic architecture and unique vibe, they all share close proximity to shops and restaurants and are convenient to all major highways and Downtown. The Northside is also home to Joseph Bryan Park and the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.
Much of the Northside is named for Lewis Ginter, a prominent Richmond businessman and philanthropist in the the mid-late 1800’s. After several successful ventures that included wholesaling linen, owning a newspaper and financing the building of the Jefferson Hotel, Mr. Ginter began acquiring land and building developments including Ginter Park. Lewis Ginter’s name and influence is abundant in the Northside.
Bellevue ~ This Northside neighborhood features a variety of different styles of architecture but is best known for its Arts and Crafts homes with large windows and wide porches. Italianate and Spanish homes and American Four Squares are also present. Bellevue is squared in by Laburnum Avenue, Hermitage Road, Westbrook Avenue and Brook Road. Also in Bellevue is MacArthur Avenue, where there are shops and restaurants such as Once Upon a Vine, Stir Crazy, Dot’s Back Inn, Shenanigan’s and The Mill.
Just on the other side of the A.P. Hill Monument at Hermitage Road and Laburnum Avenue, is the Rosedale neighborhood (also referred to as West Ginter Park and Cheverly in the tax records). This neighborhood includes brick Cape Cods and adorable cottages as well as a restaurant and ice cream shop.
Ginter Park ~ Despite its urban location, Ginter Park is a tranquil and neighborhood with mature greenery and large lots. It is often referred to as “Queen of the Suburbs” as it was one of Richmond’s first planned communities and has since retained most of its enlightened, turn-of-the-century residential planning qualities. It was originally an independent neighborhood before it was incorporated into the city in 1914. Ginter Park’s 21-blocks include various architectural styles from Victorian cottages to Georgian mansions along wide tree-lined avenues.
The Fan
The Fan District is one of Richmond's most well loved and dynamic neighborhoods. It is where many things come together in Richmond. The neighborhood has a long and colorful history that has its roots in William Byrd's Richmond but the neighborhood that we know today was developed in the very late 19th & early 20th century. It's mostly made up of Edwardian era townhouses with some Victorian in the lower fan. Like many early 20th century neighborhoods, its first hay day faded after WWII. Now at the beginning of the 21st century, the Fan is revitalized and re-energized. More than ever before, the Fan is a neighborhood for everyone. With the Monument Avenue showplaces, elegant comfortable townhouses or even efficient, modern condominiums, the Fan District has a housing solution for almost everyone. (Well almost -it's not gated and does not have one cul de sac.) Historically correct renovations complement thoughtful contemporary rehabilitations. It offers gracious, convenient, contemporary city living just minutes from Downtown.
Museum District
A charming neighborhood of early twentieth century houses many with arts and crafts details close to the majority of Richmond's major museums. Just steps from The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and The Virginia Historical Society. This neighborhood is rich with stylish architectural styles including: Queen Anne, Romanesque, Revival, Colonial Revival, Mediterranean and Tudor Revival to name just a few. West of the Boulevard and north of Carytown, this neighborhood was one of the first planned suburban areas in the city.
Jackson Ward
Jackson Ward is the primary “downtown” neighborhood. Its location slightly north of Broad Street between Belvidere Street and 3rd Street and Marshall Street and I-95 give it the advantage of literally being in downtown Richmond and also having excellent access to all of the other areas of Richmond. It is also half way between Virginia Commonwealth University Academic Campus (VCU) and the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Campus (MCV). The neighborhood has a strong community feel and boasts one of the largest collections of Greek revival and Victorian style buildings in the central East coast area. It’s also very fortunate to still possess the majority of the city's cast-iron Victorian porches. It has been said that the collection of Cast ironwork in Jackson Ward is second only to New Orleans. The future of Jackson ward is looking bright. Aggressive revitalization and renovation efforts are bringing many properties back to their former glory. The expanded convention center to the east and the addition of many newly developed condominiums are adding a new dimension to the existing neighborhood.
Byrd Park and The Carillon
Two wonderful neighborhoods nestled around the family friendly Maymont and Byrd Park. The Byrd Park neighborhood is located north and east of the park and the Three Lakes: Boat Lake, Swan Lake, and Shields Lake. The Carillon neighborhood is located west of Byrd Park, just due north of the James River. Most of the homes built here were developed in the 1920s, and they feature a range of styles, including Georgian, Dutch, and Tudor. The 240 food high Carillon is a World War I memorial, serving as a distinct landmark in Richmond. Also located near the Carillon is Dogwood Dell, an outdoor amphitheater; an outdoor running track through Byrd Park; Barker Field, a friendly local dog park; and the North Bank Trail, a highlight to numerous bikers, walkers, trail runners, and nature enthusiasts.
Historic Church Hill
Church Hill is the oldest intact neighborhood in the city and contains the most antebellum structures in Richmond. Historic Church Hill is Richmond's first historic district. The historic district was established in 1957 by the efforts of the newly-formed Historic Richmond Foundation. The Foundation started revitalization efforts by working with one city block to show how the entire neighborhood could be renewed and restored. Historic Church Hill is a great example of a "mature" historic district and how much Richmond has benefited from Historic Preservation in action. Church Hill offers a wide variety of housing choices and a close knit neighborhood environment. It is located slightly east of downtown in "Zone 10". It is very convenient to Downtown, MCV and VCU.
Near West End
Richmond’s West End is the perfect combination of city and suburban living. It offers river views, winding streets flanked by mature trees and stately brick homes as well as corner restaurants, urban parks and boutique shopping at Libbie and Grove. The campus of the University of Richmond, the cultural amenities of an urban center and the tranquil riverside are all just a stone’s throw away. Though the area has some of Richmond’s most beautiful and historic homes, it also offers cozy bungalows and quaint cottages, each with their own individual character. The extensive tree cover and multitude of gardens help preserve the tranquility of each home but a short walk to the street will afford the opportunity to meet neighbors and friends out and about.
Southside
Richmond’s Southside offers its residents a wealth of natural beauty, including river views, quiet, tree-lined streets and thriving woods and creeks. Much of the area was originally forests and farmland, so the majority of its homes offer sizeable yards and plenty of shade trees. Southside has literally every type of community possible, from the converted warehouses and renovated storefronts of Old Manchester to the sloping lots and gorgeous views of Riverside Drive. The area features older neighborhoods such as Woodland Heights and Westover Hills, with winding streets, unique architecture and an urban feel. A main draw to the Southside is the proximity to the river, including Huguenot Flatwater and Pony Pasture, that bring in outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy kayaking, canoeing, trail running and biking.
Woodland Heights ~ Many Woodland Heights residents claim that their neighborhood is neither urban nor suburban but somewhere in between. Because most of its houses were built during four different development periods, the architecture of the neighborhoods is remarkably diverse. The 80-block area features a collection of Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, American Four Squares and bungalows, most of which were constructed between 1914 (when the area was annexed by the city) and 1933. Perhaps the neighborhood’s most prized asset it its close proximity to the natural beauty of Forest Hill Park. The community’s most famous dwelling, the Stone House, was built in 1840 and now stands in th center of the park, just west of Woodland Heights.
Westover Hills ~ Westover Hills is one of Richmond’s most established neighborhoods. Its properties are set upon the hills and slopes of the James River’s south bank, just across from Byrd Park and Maymont. The area was named for the Westover Plantation on the lower James, home of William Byrd, Richmond’s founder, and was initially developed in the 1920’s and 30’s. Over the years, it has remained a quiet neighborhood of winding, shady streets and well-kept homes and yards. The homes here offer a wealth of personality, with architectural styles ranging from Cape Cods to brick Colonial, Spanish Colonial and Tudor Revival. Some properties along prestigious Riverside Drive offer splendid views of the river and the opposite bank.