Richmond spaces

Among the many photosets of Richmond around, I thought this one was particularly interesting. This photog ha(d/s) a great/quirky eye and of course a terrific subject:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/f33/sets/72157594219485415/

This is a very large set (~ 800, but arranged chronologically so its easy to see the ones from a few years ago). So many of these pictures are before my time here and it was quite amazing to see the remarkable transformations (sometimes good, sometimes sad) in some places I have become familiar with over the last couple of years.

Seeing some of these almost typical RVA architectural motifs brings me to my food related musing: A couple of recently encountered spaces (I’ll forego discussions on food at both places) that seem to have degree of Richmondness to them – Urban Farmhouse and Café in the Shockoe Slip and the Boathouse at Rockett’s Landing.
The former is just a nice space – housed in the former RV furniture shop next to the Martin Agency, I like the large open space, the vaulted ceilings, casual interiors (with Wi-fi) and the cobbles of Cary St next to it. The latter, has a terrific view of the city. Right next to the river in the renovated Rockett’s Landing development, the view of the RVA night sky was quite striking and the design of the building with the chimney stack (from the old power plant) set in modern glass was a nice sight. (I guess I've always liked these makeovers from industrial spaces to modern living). On the other hand, the interior (completely packed on a weeknight) made me wish I had a dB meter to quantify the terrible acoustics of this place. For the kind of ambiance this place is trying to promote, RL had the sound levels of a raucous pub during an EPL game.

... bricks and stones ...