The historic Hofheimer Building is located at 2816 Broad Street. PHOTO: Jeff Mays
RICHMOND, Va. – One of Richmond’s hottest chefs (seriously that Szechuan!) in a regal, historic building in the most happening district of the city; of course everyone wants to know WHEN. Well, the opening date inches closer for the Scott’s Addition restaurant of Peter Chang, famed restaurateur and James Beard Best Chef Mid-Atlantic semifinalist.
The chef has long talked about opening a city venue, and amid news of his West End expansion, property owners of the historic Hofheimer building announced a June opening for Chang’s downtown spot.
Chang’s restaurant will occupy a 3,000-square-foot space on the first floor of the multi-level 14,000-square-foot property.
Carter and Annie Snipes, of Snipes Properties, secured $1.5 million for the renovation of the 1928 building, formerly the headquarters for the Herold R. Hofheimer Fine Rug Cleaning Company.
It’s the building with a distinct presence; the one with the dome on its eastern tower – one of the few buildings in Richmond with “Exotic-Revival style” architecture. Fun fact: the building features leftover mosaic tiles from the construction of the Mosque Theater (now Altria Theater) which was built the prior year in 1927.
In its rebirth the plan is embrace the skyline, and move visitors up to the 3,600 square foot rooftop patio to take in panoramic city views, sunsets and fireworks.
Mosaic Catering + Events will utilize the rooftop and upper-level loft for events.
Rendering: Pacificom Media
The rooftop space can accommodate 150 guests and the loft space provides an additional 3,600 square feet which can accommodate 300 more guests.
RVA Fashion Week sashayed across the space as the first sold out event at the still under construction building.
A series of soft-openings on Thursdays are planned throughout May — until the grand opening in June, to follow the debut of Chang’s restaurant.
“We are thrilled to host a series of private soft openings for a few non-profits as we put the finishing touches on our elevator,” said Annie Snipes. “Our patio is ready to go, so we had the idea to offer up our new rooftop to community groups to host free meetings in the meantime for a soft opening series called ‘Sunsets at the Hof.’”
RVA Fashion Week event at the Hofheimer. PHOTO: Jeff Mays
Initial events will include a networking event for Historic Richmond, a membership drive for the Scott’s Addition Boulevard Association and political fundraisers for candidates for local office in Richmond.
“Our space is not simply a rooftop bar, it will be a venue for all kinds of special events, so without an elevator it limits how many paid events we can book in May,” Snipes added.
Moates Construction crew carefully delivers railings. PHOTO: Carter Snipes
No specific date has been set for the restaurant’s grand opening.
“We don’t have a date yet, but it’s safe to say June,” said media contact Beau Cribbs.
Meanwhile, those looking to enjoy Peter Chang’s cooking in a historic city setting can catch his rare public appearance at the Hippodrome Theater, where he will cook up a four-course meal and answer questions about his life. The event will be taped live on May 15, as part of the Full Disclosure podcast, hosted by Roben Farzad, who will be joined by Style Weekly food and drink editor Brandon Fox. More details here.
