Northside

In 1889, Richmond became home to the world’s first large-scale electric rail transit system. Perfected by engineer Frank J. Sprague, the new electric streetcars could travel farther and faster than previous horse-drawn or steam locomotive-hauled streetcars. This created new opportunities for development outside of the dense city center. Several lines crossed Shockoe Creek and ran north to what was then Henrico County. Neighborhoods were developed around the streetcar lines, such as Barton Heights, Highland Park, Ginter Park, Washington Park, and Bellevue. Many of these neighborhood were planned and developed by Richmond newspaper magnate Lewis Ginter.

These neighborhoods were diverse, with many European immigrant communities taking up residence there in the early 20th Century, as well as middle class Black citizens. But after World War II, the phenomenon of White Flight saw many of the wealthier residents of Northside move out to the West End or Chesterfield. This massive disinvestment left many homes abandoned, and those who could not afford to leave—primarily Black Richmonders—inherited a decaying neighborhood. The construction of the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike (I-95/I-64) further isolated Northside from the city’s economic center.

Our goal in Northside is to provide high-quality affordable home ownership to those who the market has left behind. We want Northside to be a diverse, thriving, affordable neighborhood once again.