New Residential Projects Look to Replace Lombardy Street's Auto Shops Near VUU

By Billy Briefman · October 9, 2026 · 2 min read read

Three Mixed-Use Projects Near VUU Could Transform Lombardy Street Corridor Originally reported by The Richmonder. The Richmonder Three mixed-use construction projects near Virginia Union...

Three Mixed-Use Projects Near VUU Could Transform Lombardy Street Corridor

Originally reported by The Richmonder. The Richmonder

Three mixed-use construction projects near Virginia Union University signal a significant shift for a Richmond corridor currently defined by automotive repair shops and industrial lots, according to reporting from The Richmonder.

Transforming the Lombardy Street Landscape

The proposed projects target a stretch of Lombardy Street that serves as a gateway between the VUU campus and surrounding neighborhoods. Developers intend to replace existing auto-centric businesses with multi-story buildings that combine housing with ground-floor retail spaces, according to project plans detailed by The Richmonder.

This cluster of development activity follows a broader trend of investment in areas surrounding Richmond’s historically Black colleges and universities. The shift from industrial use to mixed-use residential reflects changing land-use priorities in the city's Northside, according to The Richmonder.

Project Scope and Community Impact

While specific unit counts and timelines vary across the three sites, the collective impact would fundamentally alter the pedestrian experience along Lombardy Street. The projects represent a move toward higher-density urban living in a section of RVA that has long remained underutilized, according to The Richmonder.

City officials and community stakeholders continue to review the proposals as they move through the necessary zoning and permitting phases. The success of these projects could encourage further redevelopment along the northern edge of the city's urban core, according to The Richmonder.

This article is based on reporting originally published by The Richmonder. Channel RVA provides this coverage with additional local context for the Richmond community.