Commission approves 212–218 North Twentieth Street townhomes after requiring larger street‑facing windows and red brick

The Richmond Commission of Architectural Review on April 2025 approved the design for a multi‑unit townhouse project at 212–218 North Twentieth Street, subject to changes the commission added during deliberations. The vote followed staff recommendations with the commission removing two prescriptive conditions and instead requiring three third‑floor windows on the Twentieth Street elevation to be resized to match the larger primary openings; commissioners also asked that the primary brick color be a red tone consistent with the surrounding block.

Sam (staff member, Commission of Architectural Review) reviewed prior comments from the commission’s February conceptual review and explained staff’s suggested conditions: remove the brick wall at the Twentieth Street entry and replace it with a more transparent element, require a red brick selection for the principal facade (submitted for staff approval), ensure consistent window sizes on the primary elevation and submit revised plans to the chair and vice‑chair for approval.

Greg Schron (Center Creek Homes, applicant) said the team had already reduced window sizes to two primary dimensions compared with the conceptual submission and was willing to work with the commission; he requested “softening” of the staff language that would make approval contingent on identical window sizes across the entire project. After discussion commissioners agreed the most important change was to enlarge three small third‑floor windows on the Twentieth Street façade so they match the larger openings. The applicant signaled agreement to make that change and to work with staff on brick selection.

Commissioners debated material color and façade rhythm. Supporters of staff’s original text said consistent openings help the project read more like the large, vertically proportioned industrial/warehouse buildings nearby; others said some smaller ground‑level openings can be appropriate near entries. Several commissioners argued the building should use red/brown brick for the base to better match nearby construction and the recently approved 220 North Twentieth project.

Motion and outcome: On a motion to approve with staff recommendations but removing conditions 3 and 5 and replacing them with the commission’s edited requirement for the three third‑floor windows, the commission voted to approve. The exact motion modified staff wording so the three small third‑floor windows on the Twentieth Street facade are to be resized to match the larger windows on that elevation and so the brick selection is to be a red tone submitted for staff approval. The applicant must submit revised drawings and samples for staff review before permits are issued.