Hanbury Architecture Expands Richmond Office to Larger Space

Hanbury, the Norfolk-based architecture and interior design firm, is expanding its presence in Richmond. The firm is relocating its local office from the Arts District to a much larger space in the Fan.

This move marks a strategic step as Hanbury focuses on collaborative workspaces and regional projects in higher education, life sciences, and civic sectors.

Relocation Milestones and New Space

Hanbury is moving its Richmond operations to a 12,000-square-foot space at 1623 W. Main St. in the Fan, about a block west of Lombardy Street. The firm signed a seven-year lease last fall for the former Try-Me Gallery space.

The relocation is planned for this spring after light renovations. The new site quadruples the firm’s current footprint and provides more room for collaboration and design work.

Local brokers coordinated the details of the deal. The Fan neighborhood is seen as a key area for design and culture.

Emerald Construction will handle the renovations, with engineering support from 2RW. The exact investment amount is still being finalized.

Key facts at a glance:

• Location: 1623 W. Main St., Fan neighborhood
• Footprint: ~12,000 square feet
• Lease: seven-year term signed in the prior autumn
• Timeline: move planned for spring after light renovations
• Renovation team: Emerald Construction (construction) and 2RW (engineering)

Renovation Partners and Investment Considerations

The renovations will be modest, preserving flexible spaces for Hanbury’s collaborative design work. The final project budget has not been disclosed.

The team is focusing on spaces that balance function with design, allowing teams to work across architecture, planning, and interior design.

People, Projects, and Strategic Goals

Hanbury’s Richmond leadership is growing alongside its staffing and program goals. Sarah Rosenblatt is now the Richmond office lead, working with associate principals Rick Fischl and Natsumi Oba.

The Richmond team has grown to 21 local employees. This growth calls for work environments that encourage collaboration, mentorship, and interdisciplinary projects.

Hanbury also plans to use the Fan site to support local artists, continuing programming started on Broad Street. This gallery-forward approach fits the firm’s commitment to community engagement and cultural growth in Richmond’s design scene.

Founded in 1979 in Norfolk, Hanbury is employee-owned and works in architecture, planning, and interior design. The firm’s projects include higher education, life sciences, and civic work.

Local projects include the upcoming VCU School of Dentistry (with Kahler Slater), a large mixed-use building at 3200 W. Moore St., and a 10-year strategic plan for Virginia Union University.

Industry Trends: Relocation Away from the Arts District

The Hanbury move mirrors a broader trend among architecture and design firms shifting activity away from the traditional Arts District toward other Richmond neighborhoods.

This pattern reflects a desire for larger, more flexible spaces and enhanced collaboration.

Firms are also looking for opportunities to engage with nearby cultural and civic organizations.

The Fan’s accessible transit and thriving cultural scene make it an appealing destination.

A growing mix of residential and commercial uses adds to its appeal for firms seeking a holistic practice environment.

For Hanbury, the Richmond relocation is more than a real estate decision.

It is a strategic platform for expanding services and enriching local programming.

The move also deepens the firm’s connection with educational and civic partners.

As the firm grows its local leadership and portfolio, the new Fan location will serve as a hub for design excellence and community engagement.

It will also foster interdisciplinary collaboration across architecture, planning, and interior design.

 
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