Navy Blues Armory

Abstract

How can we redefine a building without erasing the deep environmental and cultural history it brought to the city? The Richmond Coliseum has stood as an iconic landmark within the City of Richmond for decades. Since its closure in 2019, the building has remained abandoned, sparking ongoing debate about its future. Richmond announced plans for demolition and invited the community, along with planning and architecture firms, to submit proposals for the site's redevelopment. My proposal takes a different approach, to adaptively reuse the Richmond Coliseum rather than demolish it. By reimagining the structure as a multi-functional hub, the site can serve both present and future needs of the city while honoring its historic legacy. The proposal includes affordable housing, entertainment and cultural venues, mixed-use dwelling and commercial areas, transportation and connectivity. This vision recognizes the significance of Navy Hill and the history rooted within the Coliseum site. By reusing and reimagining the existing architecture, Richmond can achieve a balance between progress and preservation. Meaningful transformation can emerge from what already stands. The Richmond Coliseum deserves not just to be remembered, but to be redefined as a cornerstone of the city's future.