With a downtown comprised primarily of corporate buildings and surrounding neighborhoods rooted in 19th and early 20th-century infrastructure, the modern concept of a penthouse is a rare sight for many Richmonders. When we saw Richmond's latest urban luxury listing, we knew it was worth a closer look.

Shockoe's surprise penthouse

Listed by Long + Foster Real Estate, this 4,656-sqft condominium may not sit atop a soaring high-rise, but the interior comes straight from the drawing board of quintessential Manhattan-style penthouses: panoramic city views, raised interior ceilings, custom features, and high-quality materials.

The history behind the home

Grounded in Richmond fashion, this modern-day home traces its foundation back to 1870, along the same bumpy streets — when a fire begun by Confederate soldiers catapulted the area into wide-spread destruction.

The construction of this East Cary build — now penthouse — followed five years after the historic Evacuation Fire that leveled infrastructure, which likely pins it as part of revitalization efforts.

A sketch of the Shockoe Slip neighborhood from the 1960s. | Photo from VCU Library Digital Collection

Stepping into modernity

Take a look inside the Shockoe Slip penthouse, a layered transformation in modern-day real estate. The penthouse traverses a unique layout through two brick buildings along Shockoe's commercial strip.

Three stories lead up to an encompassing rooftop + private greenhouse. Inside, drop light ceilings and floating staircases channel the airiness of a gallery museum — for now, showcasing the current residents' artistic additions.

The listing price is set at $1.9 million, represented by Jane Vick Gill at Long + Foster.

Note from the editor

As someone who's formerly lived in a factory-turned-apartment-complex in Shockoe Slip, I'm not unfamiliar with Richmond's modern twists on long-standing infrastructure (although I was due for a history lesson). Still, I never would've guessed the level of luxury that existed just down the block.

I'm curious if this listing came as a similar surprise to others; let me know your thoughts.