A mixed-income residential building will rise in Richmond's East End.

A historic building, Fulton Hill Studios, will also be renovated in the area. Fulton Hill Properties, a Richmond developer, will complete both projects, balancing historic character with modern adaptation. The outcome will be two five-story apartment buildings on the site east of the Rocketts Landing urban community in addition to the renovated Fulton Hill Studios. Site work on the new high rise residential building has already begun with an estimated cost of $25 million.The two new five-story buildings will have partially submerged parking decks and will house 204 apartments. The renovation of Fulton Hill Studios will start in November with an estimated cost of $6–7 million. Fulton Hill Studios was originally built in 1916 as an elementary school. It was named for American artist Robert Fulton, who later became instrumental in the start of steamboat travel. The Robert Fulton School closed in 1979 and was purchased by Fulton Hill Properties in 1997. The 32 original classrooms have been transformed into a mix of more than 50 creative spaces, including artist studios and office spaces for photographers, marketing companies, and other businesses. The historic building will house 36 units on the first three floors and also have a movie room in the attic. The Artisan Hill community, which is the new name of the development, will offer views of the James River and downtown Richmond. Fulton Hill Properties received $750,000 in a city grant for the mixed-income project.

It’s a really special neighborhood. We have believed in it for a long time, and we are glad to be part of the transformation,” said Jon Ondrak, chief operating officer for Fulton Hill Properties.

[caption id="attachment_3313" align="aligncenter" width="350"] This rendering shows two five-story buildings that will be built to house 204 apartments in the Fulton Hill neighborhood in Richmond’s East End.[/caption] The apartments will be one- and two-bedroom units with a couple of three-bedroom units. A 75-foot lap pool will be built next to one of the new buildings. The pool will also be surrounded by 12 artist studios. Amenities will include a rooftop deck, an athletic field, a dog area, and a bike repair shop. Units in the new buildings will have private balconies. Meanwhile, heart pine floors in the historic building will be refurbished. Market rents will range from $1,000 up to $2,500 a month.