Approaching Church Hill, as most do, coming from downtown or the interstate, there’s some drama in the geography that gives you the impression you are on to something special.
Climbing up from Shockoe Bottom, Church Hill strikes you as a town unto itself. The architecture changes, and you feel the sense of history that is so unbelievably rich.
You drive up Broad Street towards St. John’s Church and you imagine Patrick Henry bellowing out his famous revolutionary rhetoric.
But as you watch the locals walking along the sidewalks you sense how eclectic the place is.
The coffee shops, the little sandwich bars and eateries reflect the diversity of folks that are atttracted to Church Hill. There’s a big population of young professional and students who love the proximity to work and to the campus. The nearby nightlife harbored in the Bottom is an added plus.
There are a lot of non-Richmonders who are attracted to the Hill because there’s a little bit of a European feel to it. One of the big draws to Church Hill is the fact that it is a million miles away from suburbia. The cohesion though, is a love for history, old houses and a strong sense of individualism.
Church Hill has about the prettiest parks in the city. You can walk to lovely river views, and the coolest thing is the sense of community. Its a fun-loving neighborhood that throws its doors open several times of the year for festivals and tours. As the city’s oldest community with a national legacy, Church Hill has a very special draw.
About the Writer // Jeanne Bridgforth is a Realtor with the One South Realty Group who specializes in Historic Properties throughout the City. She brings decades of experience to the table in many of Richmond’s most spectacular neighborhoods.