Century-old Richmond Broom Co. building in Shockoe set for condo conversion

The brick building was historically a broom factory. (Mike Platania photo)

A century-old Shockoe Bottom building that years ago was home to a cleaning supplies manufacturer is getting a cleanup of its own. 

Work recently began on a residential conversion of the former Richmond Broom Co. building at 2201 E. Main St. 

Most recently used as a dialysis center, the two-story building dating back to 1921 is set to be turned into a dozen condominiums by a group led by Charlottesville-based investor Claudine Wispelwey.

The development is Wispelwey’s first in the Richmond area, and she said her group is applying for historic tax credits to help finance the renovation. 

“We’re restoring the ceilings and returning the wood floors to the look and appearance of the original manufacturing (facility),” Wispelwey said. “There’s a real sensitivity in bringing it back to what it was.”

The development group is seeking to bring back the “Richmond Broom Co.” signs. (Courtesy Claudine Wispelwey)

Wispelwey’s group bought the roughly 13,600-square-foot building in the spring for $1.3 million in a deal brokered by Divaris’ Read Goode and Thalhimer’s Reilly Marchant. 

The condos will be either one- or two-bedroom units. Wispelwey declined to say what price range the units will be listed at. Corinthian Construction is the general contractor, Sadler & Whitehead are the developers’ tax credit consultants, and Hirschler’s Rob Benaicha and Janie Rhoads are their legal counsel. 

Wispelwey said they’re hoping to have the project complete in summer 2025. As part of the restoration, she said they’re hoping to bring back the ‘Richmond Broom Co.’ signs that formerly faced both East Main and South 22nd streets. 

A few blocks east past Tobacco Row is 2723 E. Cary St., where local developer Jeremy Connell is planning to build five four-story townhomes. 

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