Westhampton Pastry Shop redevelopment endorsed by Planning Commission

A rendering of the proposed building at the corner of Patterson and Libbie avenues. (City documents)

The planned redevelopment of the Westhampton Pastry Shop property took a step closer to city approval on Tuesday night.

The Richmond Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a project that would replace the building currently housing the longtime bakery at 5728 Patterson Ave., though the development team has said the 73-year-old bakery would reopen in the new building, once completed. 

The property owner, the Robins family, and local investor Tyler Currie first filed plans for the project in late 2023. 

They’re looking to raze the existing structure, which dates back over 70 years, and build a new 28,000-square-foot building that would have three stories of office space above a pair of ground-floor commercial spaces totaling 2,500 and 940 square feet. 

The existing building at the corner of Libbie and Patterson avenues. (BizSense file)

Plans also call for about 24 covered parking spaces and Libbie Avenue-facing outdoor dining areas. Local firm 510 Architects is designing the building. 

At Tuesday’s meeting, a handful of locals spoke in opposition to the development, including a representative of the Westhampton Citizens Association. Concerns around the proposed building’s height as well as parking and traffic impacts were common complaints.

After discussion, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend approving the special-use permit. 

Another project along Patterson Avenue was also considered at Tuesday’s meeting. 

The commission also recommended approving Superstars Pizza owner Taylor Antonelli’s plans for a deli at 3401 Patterson Ave.

The vacant building sits at the corner of Roseneath Road and Patterson Avenue. (Mike Platania photo)

That building at the intersection of Patterson Avenue and Roseneath Road was once a laundromat, but has sat vacant for years. 

In 2021 coffee chain PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans looked to open a location there but those plans fell through, opening the door for Antonelli, who’s looking to use the 1,000-square-foot space as both a deli and a hub for his catering operation. Specifics around deli concept have yet to be announced. 

The proposal requires the special-use permit secured by PJ’s secured in 2021 to be amended. Baker Development Resources’ Alessandro Ragazzi is representing Antonelli in the case. 

Both the pastry shop redevelopment and Antonelli’s Deli proposals are now scheduled to be heard at City Council’s Feb. 10 meeting.

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