VPM to build new headquarters in downtown Richmond

State-of-the-art facility will house news and content operations, community studios in Historic Monroe Ward. 

RICHMOND, VA — VPM, Virginia’s home for public media, announced today that the Richmond-based media organization will build a new, state-of-the-art headquarters on E. Broad Street in Historic Monroe Ward in the heart of downtown Richmond. 

The headquarters will be located at what is now 13-17 E. Broad St., between N. First and Foushee streets, with frontage on both Broad and E. Grace streets. 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. 

“At this transformational time in our organization’s history, building a modern, media facility in downtown Richmond will enable us to realize our vision of more connected, informed and empathetic Virginians for generations to come,” said Jayme Swain, President & CEO of VPM and the Virginia Foundation for Public Media. “We envision VPM’s headquarters will be a vibrant hub of community activity, designed to be welcoming and inclusive of all. This dynamic space will feature a visible newsroom and the innovative technology we need to tell stories of regional importance to audiences across the Commonwealth.” 

The five-story, 53,700-sq. foot facility will feature multiple studios for audio, television and digital content production, as well as a street-level community studio and event space equipped to host audiences for broadcast events and other live experiences.  

“VPM’s decision to build its future in Richmond speaks to the City as a premier headquarters location and place where people from across the Commonwealth and Country come to exchange ideas, make news, conduct business, and have their voices heard,” said Mayor Levar Stoney. “Richmond is thrilled that VPM’s new innovative facility and its workforce will be located downtown, adding more energy to the heart of Richmond as our downtown welcomes exciting new developments and growth.” 

The design, by SMBW, honors the historical architecture of the neighborhood while looking forward to the future. In addition to the main building, a one-story, 1,500-square foot building will be constructed on the Grace St. side of the property. A parking structure, which will be nestled between the two buildings, is also being contemplated.    

“VPM’s new headquarters combines a meaningful program, a rich historical context, and a timeless architectural expression that will serve VPM and Virginia for many years to come. The new building will be a stage that brings together the storytellers and their stories, connecting us to each other and our community,” said Spencer Grice, Principal, SMBW. 

VPM’s foundation, the Virginia Foundation for Public Media, will provide significant funding toward the project. In addition, a community fundraising effort will be launched to help bring VPM’s vision to fruition.  

“This new state-of-the-art facility will be instrumental in strengthening VPM’s position as an important voice and force, helping to shape our region, and making this Commonwealth the place we know it can be,” said Irene Carney, VPM Media Corporation Board of Directors.

Along with its main headquarters in the Richmond area, VPM also has offices in Charlottesville and Harrisonburg. 

About VPM
As Virginia’s home for public media, VPM connects nearly 2 million people across Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley to insightful programming in arts and culture, history, science, news and education. VPM operates public television stations VPM PBS, VPM Plus, VPM PBS KIDS, lifestyle channel VPM Create and international program channel VPM WORLD, as well as Richmond NPR station VPM News (88.9 FM) and VPM Music (107.3 FM, 93.1 FM and 88.9-HD2). In the Northern Neck (89.1 FM) and Southside Virginia (90.1 FM), listeners receive a combination of news and music. Audiences can access VPM online at VPM.org and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.