Roanoke firm requests restaurant proposals for old stables
Image courtesy Cushman & Wakefield / Thalhimer.
A Roanoke real estate brokerage company has put out a Request for Proposals for a new restaurant that would be located in the former stables at Riverside Station.
This is not the first time we have reported that a restaurant is planned for that space, which is located near Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Last year, reporters Sarah Bruyn Jones and Mason Adams wrote in separate articles that a limited liability company, Roanoke River Associates, wants to renovate the former stables into a restaurant at an estimated cost of $2 million.
John Nielsen of the Roanoke office of Cushman & Wakefield/Thalhimer emailed me a copy of the RFP that included an artist’s rendering (above). Nielsen wrote that the RFP has been mailed out to “over 750 of the top restaurants in 18 different cities.” The deadline for submission on the RFP is November 1. Here are some highlights from it:
The Stables
S. Jefferson and Riverside Circle
Size: up to 6,685 square feet
Breaking ground in 4th quarter, 2012
Property info:
- “Location of one of the highest daytime employee and residential population densities in the region.”
- “Directly adjacent to locations of two of the leading economic generators and top employers in the Western half of Virginia: Carilion & Virginia Tech.”
- High visibility
- Proximity to green space, amenities
- Historic property
- Outdoor seating
- More than 80 parking spaces on-site
We will be sure to keep you informed as this process plays out. If you would happen to be interested in submitting a proposal, Nielsen can be reached at 540-767-3009 or john.nielsen@thalhimer.com.
Is there any particular restaurant you hope was among the 750 that were sent proposals? What kind of restaurant do you think would work well at the stables?
October 18, 2012 - 6:07 AM
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I would love to see a nice national chain like Cheesecake Factory or PH Changs. Something different that Roanoke does not have!!
I devoutly hope anything but a chain moves in there. Let the chains stick to the malls.
Check out more information here:
tinyurl.com/TheRoanokeStablesFlyer
tinyurl.com/RiversideStation
tinyurl.com/RestaurantRFP
Following Chris’s remark any guess how many posts there will be lampooning those evil “CHAINS!” ?
I don’t mind them myself, they survive because people like them.
Ruth Chris Steakhouse or Bonefish. And anyone who labels them in a negative manner as a chain, has never eaten at either one.
Really, almost any sort of a casual dining/takeout concern should do really well in this space.. LOTS of Carilion employees and VTC students are looking for more lunch and dinner options in this neighborhood! Here’s hoping a local institution will step up.
RM says chains survive because people like them. I think they also stand a better chance of survival over independents because chains tend to have more resources and often have proven training programs for employees.
That doesn’t mean I prefer chains – actually, I have my favorite independent places and my fave chains – but it’s the truth.
Some chains are fine, but to take an old historic building and throw an Applebees in there would be a fail decision. I’d love to see some place like the Brambleton Deli move in there…heck, maybe the Deli should “chain” itsel and open another spot!
I wouldn’t mind seeing a Cheescake Factory but would rather see a great local establishment start up. What would it take for a great local place to start in the Roanoke Valley or even New River Valley. I can’t remember the last time I watched Man VS Food or one of the “paradise” shows on the travel chanel hearing the phrase “ok we’re standing outside the applebees/tgifridays/outback steak house in offshoot, idaho for there famous …” How about great BBQ or Burger joint that has a fun/casual atmosphere with great american cuisine. Can Roanoke/NRV not support one?
I vote for an independent restaurant to go there! But if there is not a local person/company w/ the experience and resources to open it, I have no problem w/ a nice, well run, chain restaurant going in there. PF Changs and/or Bonefish, both mentioned above, would be a good fit I think. Also, Chevy’s Fresh Mex is an awesome place and would be a good fit. Just to mention a few…
We don’t need another Brableton deli Kristen. Roanoke has enough of those joints. Can’t we aim higher!! DON’T PEOPLE KEEP UP WITH THE NEWS. LOCAL PLACES FAIL HERE! Closure after closure.WE HAVE WAY TO MANY. CHAINS DONT CLOSE !!! DON’T ALWAYS AGREE BUT THAT’S JUST THE FACTS PEOPLE!!
What about flooding?
That area was hit hard in the 1985 flood I remember.
Off topic, but what is going on with the Weiner Stand?? Is it going to re-open?
Chris, you and I are on the same page here. It’s time for Roanoke to step up and be the retail mecca of SWVA. PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory,J Alexander’s would be perfect here. The fact is, that people driving through or from out of town, won’t be attracted to hitting up a Brambleton Deli. They will go with what’s familiar to them. Time to step up!
I agree, great location for one of those chains like Texas Steakhouse, they never clos……..oh wait
Chains don’t close? Do the names Steak and Ale, Chi-Chi’s, or Western Sizzlin’ mean anything to you?
So agreed Brian! Now how can we get these places here?? Roanoke is so hard to get anything good.
I started to respond with Steak and Ale and Texas Steakhouse, etc, but didn’t have the energy.
Chris, if you want something “good”, crack open your wallet and go to Local Roots, or Lucky. “Good” doesn’t come with “2 for $20 Bourbon Glazed Steak” or whatever.
Comparing those chains to the ones listed is laughable.
Chris not sure what we can do to accomplish this. Sounds like the investors in this case are being pretty aggressive, which I like. I really think the city’s marketing dept needs a larger budget. No wonder things like Taubman have struggled. Can’t tell you of one billboard, TV/Radio ad I’ve heard/seen. The Safari Park’s ad campaign embarrasses the city of Roanoke for god sake. They need to step it up IMO.
Roa10 I walk by the construction site by the Weiner Stand almost daily and while I could be wrong, it doesn’t look like it’s anywhere near opening anytime soon.
@Roa10 and Debbie, if you are interested in what’s going on with the Roanoke Weiner Stand, you may want to check out tomorrow’s newspaper.
Just got through reading the article, Lindsey, and I see that I was indeed wrong. I didn’t know the Weiner Stand was being moved to the Thomas’ Market spot. I hope their current problems can be worked out quickly.
No, it isn’t being moved to the Thomas’ Market spot. It’s being moved to a spot right next to Thomas’ Market.
There are renderings online and Center In The Square offers hard hat tours to anyone interested in learning about the project!
On another note, it would be a tragedy for a chain restaurant to go into that amazing historic space.
But, the stable restaurant is just a portion of a much larger picture. The project spans from the Walnut ave bridge! It’s quite amazing!
Right Lindsey, I just didn’t know it was being moved at all. I thought it was going to stay where it was after renovations.
What ever happened with Thomas Market? When i talked to Tony right before Christmas 2011, he said he would be back open in March. They have been there for as long as i can remember.
Definately a CHAIN such as
Ruths Chris Steak House,
PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory.
Another Fork in the whatever
or a Famous Anthonys just won’t do it in that location!
Kristen done that/been there. Need soemthing new!!
Anyone know what else is in development for riverside?? What type of retail and when construction is due to start??