“With this new headquarters, we wanted to create a durable building designed to withstand the test of time and leave a positive, lasting legacy,” said VPM Chief Operations Officer Meg Garner. “The plans for the building are being developed with the environment in mind, while also leaving room for growth as VPM and technology change over the coming decades.”
To achieve VPM’s sustainability goals, several aspects of the project require the implementation of environmentally friendly practices. Some of the most significant sustainability efforts of the project include the building’s location, rainwater and sustainable waste removal and energy use.
Location
VPM’s future headquarters will stand atop what was once a parking lot. Construction will not require the demolition of any nearby buildings or the clearing of any natural land. The site is also close to mass transit with the Greater Richmond Transit Company’s Pulse Line, so visitors will not have to drive to access the building, which will relieve some of the parking congestion. Additionally, bike parking and charging stations for electric vehicles will give visitors and employees environmentally friendly options for visiting the space.
Rainwater and sustainable waste removal
In the past, the building site presented a tricky scenario for stormwater runoff as the surface parking lot fed into Richmond’s sewer system at an uncontrolled rate. As a solution, the new building will feature a green roof (which includes vegetation, waterproofing and drainage systems) and underground detention tanks, slowing stormwater flow into the city’s already overloaded sewer system in this district. This will also better protect the James River from harmful overflow. Finally, the construction team will execute a construction waste management plan that includes goals for recycling, salvaging and reusing materials to minimize the impact on local landfills.
Energy use
As a media company that broadcasts both TV and radio programming, VPM uses a lot of energy to reach its audiences. To offset the energy usage from this technology, the design team took a unique approach to mechanical systems (such as HVAC and plumbing). This is also demonstrated in the plans for the thermal performance of walls, windows and lighting design.
With neighboring buildings to the east and the west, the building’s design takes advantage of daylight and views on the north and south sides with large windows and an interior layout that allows daylight to penetrate deep into the building. The building will use interior LED lighting, which requires less energy, has a longer lifespan and is free of toxic chemicals that other forms of lighting use.
The headquarters will be located at 15 E. Broad St., between N. First and Foushee streets, with frontage on both Broad and E. Grace streets. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026. The move will make VPM’s news and content production operations more accessible to the public, creating a platform for in-person civic engagement and programming. In August, VPM celebrated the groundbreaking of the new building with a block party.