Rocketts Landing is a crucial component of the emerging economic vitality of the City of Richmond...

A unique opportunity to address the environmental, historic preservation, and land development issues all at once.

Situated along the banks of the James River, the Village of Rocketts Landing will transform formerly abandoned industrial land into a thriving and diverse waterfront community. Once heralded as Richmonds gateway to the Atlantic, Rocketts Landing has seen some of the most dramatic moments in American history. From the years before the founding of Jamestown and into the Civil War, the site evolved from Native American village, to colonial seaport, to international trade network, and cosmopolitan urban village. By the 20th century, however, visitors to Rocketts Landing would not have suspected the dramatic history hidden among the derelict warehouses and weed-choked railroad tracks. Now, the 54-acre site is in the midst of a reawakening. Just minutes from downtown Richmond, Virginia, Rocketts Landing will incorporate 500,000 SF of office space, 200,000 SF of retail and entertainment space, 1,900 residential units, a hotel, a 78-slip harbor, a 62-slip marina and a mile-long riverfront park. Rocketts Landing will reinvigorate this historic land and reconnect the citizens of Richmond with the James River.

W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr., Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources, The Henrico Citizen, October 21, 2002

The Plan These shores have been the site of events that profoundly shaped what it means to be urban and what it means to be American.
From the founding of Jamestown to the close of the Civil War, some of Richmonds and Americas most dramatic historical moments have taken place at Rocketts Landing. Plans for the new Rocketts Landing will unite elements of Rocketts past with advances and amenities of the 21st century. CMSS plan for Rocketts Landing capitalizes on the beauty of the James River and creates a pedestrian-centered, urban village with direct access to the river along a mile-long waterfront park. The village aesthetic reflects Richmonds architectural heritage, interwoven with modern design elements. The street grid reflects the intimate character of the grid originally laid by William Mayo in 1737. The Rocketts Landing urban plan illustrates the power of communities to transform abused and abandoned land to create a place that celebrates history, preserves the environment, and strengthens the economy.

PROJECT STATISTICS
Site Residential Retail/Restaurant Office Space Recreation Phase One 54 Acres 1,900 Units 250,000 SF 500,000 SF 140 Boat Slips, Riverfront Park 1,788 Spaces

Village Center
The Village Center is envisioned as the focal point for outdoor activity and a gathering place for the neighborhood. Offering dramatic views of the river below, the open public plazas will be surrounded by restaurants, shops, and services, with residential and business spaces above. Several of the sites existing historic structures will be adapted into multiple uses, including upscale residences, office space, a community center, and a restaurant. The Village Center will feature all the elements of daily life in one central, walkable location for residents, workers, and visitors.

The Commercial District

Rocketts Landings commercial district will reflect the metropolitan atmosphere of Downtown Richmond and will feature an interspersion of high-rise office buildings, hotels, condominiums, restaurants, and retail shops. Celebrating the sites waterfront views, topography and history, the commercial district will also allow direct access to the James via a series of terraced parks and walkways leading down to a riverside promenade. A 78-slip public harbor and a festival plaza will create a destination gateway to the western edge of downtown Richmond.

Residences
The tree-lined streets of Rocketts Landings residential district will be located near the sites eastern boundary. Condominiums, townhomes, and apartments are designed to be affordable to a diverse set of residents, from singles to families to empty-nesters. When completed, Rocketts residential district will offer residents riverfront living that fully embraces a metropolitan lifestyle.

William H. Abeloff This is about a vision... Its a rare opportunity for all Vickers-Smith of us who love the Richmond Jason Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of The WVS Companies, LLC, received his B.S. in engineering from Duke University and area to capitalize on the very thing Vickers-Smith his MBA from Oxford. He now heads the development efforts at Rocketts Landing. Under his leadership, the project has undergone significant expansion, that created Richmond in the first growing from an initial development value of $250 million to nearly $1 billion. place - the James River. Burrell F. Saunders
Burrell Saunders, CEO and founding principal of CMSS Architects, PC, based in Virginia Beach, is one of the regions leading experts in urban planning and design. Together with Abeloff, Saunders spearheaded the revitalization efforts for Rocketts Landing, re-imaging the forgotten site as a vibrant mixed-use district. He now heads the planning and design of the new riverfront district. A key figure of the revitalization of Rocketts Landing, William H. Abeloff was a native of Richmond who lived and worked most of his adult life in neighborhoods and offices overlooking the James River. After successfully transforming the abandoned warehouses of Tobacco Row into upscale apartments, Abeloff turned his attention to the old Rocketts site. As founder and managing partner in Rocketts Landing, LLC, he drove the effort to bring Rocketts Landing back to life as a new mixed-use community.

The enjoyment of riverfront living combined with the convenience and excitement of city life will position Rocketts Landing to be a place worthy of the communitys affection.

Burrell Saunders and John Crouse founded CMSS Architects, PC, in 1982 with the belief that communities have the ability to create positive change in their environments. Beginning in Virginia Beach, the company set out to be a catalyst for proactive community design and development. CMSS is built on progressive business principles and a unique repertoire of talent. Our success stems from an integrated, holistic approach that respects the impact of the built environment on individuals and communities. We see each project as a collaborative processinvolving not only the client and the design team, but the entire community. Now a preeminent planning and design firm, CMSS serves local, regional, national, and international clients. The firm employs a staff of more than one hundred and has offices in Hampton Roads, Richmond, and Northern Virginia. CMSS has received more than 90 design awards from organizations such as the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Landscape Architects and the American Society of Interior Designers. As CMSS reaches its 25th year, we will continue to advocate responsible development, pursuing our commitment to urban designs that instill excitement, foster hope, and empower communities.

William Abeloff Developer, Rocketts Landing, LLC

Burrell F. Saunders CEO & Founding Principal, CMSS Architects, PC

CMSS leadership and vision for this underutilized area of Richmonds urban riverfront has inspired community support and opened the door for this project to be realized. Rocketts Landing will reclaim for both the City of Richmond and Henrico County some of the most important,vibrant, historical property in the country.

William Abeloff Developer, Rocketts Landing, LLC

www.cmssarchitects.com Hampton Roads, Virginia The Town Center of Virginia Beach 4505 Columbus Street, Suite 100 Virginia Beach, VA 23462 757.222.2010 P 757.222.2022 F Reston, Virginia Reston Town Center 11921 Freedom Drive, Suite 250 Reston, VA 20190 703.481.6677 P 703.481.6675 F Richmond, Virginia Rocketts Landing 5000 Old Osborne Turnpike, 2nd Floor Richmond, VA 23231 804.864.1761 P 804.864.1760 F
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