The water tower atop the former factory. (Photos by David Larter)
The Interbake cookie factory’s new incarnation was born Wednesday.
In a demolition kick-off ceremony at the site, developers Rebkee and Steve Leibovic knocked down the first wall on the first floor of the 240,000-square-foot compound.
The company plans to put 178 apartments in the building – now called “The Boulevard” – followed by a retail component.
The project, financed by Wells Fargo, will cost about $23 million.
The building’s new name was unveiled Wednesday.
Inside the former Interbake cookie factory.
The view from the building’s roof.
The water tower atop the former factory. (Photos by David Larter)
The Interbake cookie factory’s new incarnation was born Wednesday.
In a demolition kick-off ceremony at the site, developers Rebkee and Steve Leibovic knocked down the first wall on the first floor of the 240,000-square-foot compound.
The company plans to put 178 apartments in the building – now called “The Boulevard” – followed by a retail component.
The project, financed by Wells Fargo, will cost about $23 million.
The building’s new name was unveiled Wednesday.
Inside the former Interbake cookie factory.
The view from the building’s roof.
Is there really this much pent up demand for apartments in Richmond?
With the amount of people who can not qualify to purchase a home these days apartments are in need and many are full or close to it.
“The Boulevard”….now that’s original……why didn’t they throw in “Lofts” or “Factory” in there as well since every apartment complex has one of those words in it.
Nobody ever said developers were known for their creative project names.
@HollyGrady
Why choose? Make it The Boulevard Factory Lofts. And put a Froyo shop and a crossfit gym on the ground floor.
Now that’s just plain funny! [Names aside, I’m very glad to see this project happening. I live about 8 blocks from there.]
With the wonderful sign already there ,too bad they did not follow the John Marshall’s example and come up with a way to incorporate FFV in the name!
fran
Actually, yes there is a pent up demand for apartments in Richmond -DECENT, AFFORDABLE apartments. Sure hope this facility will offer at least a percentage of affordable apartments to allow for an economically diverse “neighborhood”. As for the name, why not “The Boulevard”. Its as good as any. What would you suggest…something similar to the more “charming” names as The Gardens, The Flats, The Madison? …all extremely original. At least The Boulevard gives a geographical reference.
I hope the FFV sign stays. It is a stable of the Richmond Skyline, even though it has been dark for years. Personally, I would have incorporated something with cookies in the name, especially since it was a cookie factory for so many years.
@Camims
Interesting…A report for the Partnership for Affordable Housing suggests there’s a glut of affordable housing in the city of Richmond and a lack of affordable housing in Chesterfield and Henrico.
Also don’t understand why people can’t imagine there might actually be population growth in the city. Richmond needs more tax paying residents to offset all the poverty it’s subsidizing.
Please keep the sign. What about The Boulevard at FFV? It gives you history and modernity.
New brands are great. But why throw out the equity of the building’s own long-standing brand? If you’re marketing this as a hip, refurbished factory, you don’t want to obliterate the history with your new name.
“The Cookie Monster” …with a big 3D likeness of CM himself taking a bite out of the corner of the building….sweet.
I assume the sign will stay for historic tax credits.
“The Boulevard” is already taken (by, er, THE BOULEVARD.) Someone says they live in the boulevard, I think they’re homeless living in the street.
This is going to be an amazing project. I can’t wait to see the final product. It doesn’t matter what they named it, people would like it. Thank you so much for investing in the city. I disagree with some of the folks on here. I am all for saving old buildings but leaving up the old signs is kind of ridiculous. It is especially confusing for those from out of town. This mainly goes for the John Marshall.
ha, meant they “wouldn’t” like it
I Think they should rethink the name. .The people that are going to be renting out these units would most likely roll their eyes at ““The Boulevard” . I second that they should include cookie into the name. Menial critism, aside I really look foward to seeing the refurbished building.
Why not call it the cookie cutter lofts?
Why don’t all of you pony up $23,000,000 and you can name it anything you want ! I can’t stand whiners.
Sick of all the haters here. Good grief. A great development — literally and figuratively — for Richmond and all some of you want to do is complain. Shut up and get over all your negativity.
Have the developers released any renderings of what the units may look like inside? How they make use of the huge windows is critical. What is the projected price range for units.