Manchester

Downtown Richmond’s Manchester neighborhood is located south of the James River bordered by Cowardin Avenue to the west, Maury Street to the east, Decatur Street to the south and the James River to the north. Map

For years, the only James River crossing for vehicles and pedestrians was Mayo's toll bridge at 14th Street. Complaints about the tolls eventually led to the opening of Richmond's first “free” bridge in 1873. The day after it opened, thousands crowded onto the Free Bridge to watch the Reverend John Jasper conduct a large group-baptism ceremony in the river. The following year, in 1874, Manchester became an independent city and remained one until the year 1910 when Manchester and Richmond agreed to merge.

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In 1972, the Free Bridge was replaced by the existing Manchester Bridge, which includes a legally mandated free walkway. Since then, Manchester became an industrial center for the city before turning into one of Richmond’s fastest-growing residential neighborhoods.

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When it comes to where development is happening in the Richmond region, Manchester is leading the way. In 2020 alone, the Manchester neighborhood saw the most investment of any neighborhood throughout the region, boasting development projects bringing more than 1,000 new apartments to the area and a total investment of more than $400 million.

Manchester’s access to downtown Richmond’s riverfront and the James River Parks System mixed with it’s industrial-style apartments and brand-new buildings built for city living make it a great choice for young professionals, fans of the outdoors and those looking for one- and two-bedroom options with great amenities.

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Manchester Apartments:

• 1200 Semmes Apartments, 1200 Semmes Avenue
• Belle Summit, 608 Cowardin Avenue
• The Box, 501 Decatur Street
• City View Lofts, 411 Bainbridge Street
• City View Row, 500 Bainbridge Street
• The Commodore, 15 W. 7th Street
• The Current, 400 Hull Street
• The Cove, 512 Hull Street
• Eddy on the James, 700 Semmes Avenue
• Hopper Lofts, 700 Everett Street
• Hydro, 101 Manchester Road
• Jamestown Apartment Flats, 500 W. 14th Street
• Link Apartments Manchester, 901 McDonough Street
• Manchester Grand, 1411 Bainbridge Street
• The Mill at Manchester Lofts, 815 Perry Street
• Miller Lofts, 500 Stockton Street
• The Mirage Manchester, 1125 Commerce Road
• Motorworks at City View, 616 Hull Street
• Plant 1 Apartments, 403 Stockton Street
• New Manchester Flats, 715 E. 4th Street
• The Railyard Flats, 104 E. 2nd Street
• River’s Edge, 505 Porter Street
• South Bank Apartments, 307 Stockton Street
• South Falls Tower, 111 Hull Street
• Terraces at Manchester, 800 Semmes Avenue
• Trolley Lofts, 212 W. 7th Street

Manchester offers some of the best RVA has to offer: monthly community celebrations with Manchester Manifest, access to the downtown riverfront and expansive James River Parks System and creative spaces like Art Works, a contemporary art center featuring four galleries and 80+ artist studios to browse and shop.

• 4th Friday Art Show, 320 Hull Street
• Art Works, 320 Hull Street
• Belle Isle
• Buttermilk Trail
• Dogtown Dance Theatre, 109 W. 15th Street
• Floodwall Park, 111 Hull Street
• Manchester Climbing Wall
• Manchester Manifest First Fridays
• Richmond Slave Trail
• Southside Contemporary Art Gallery, 1309 Hull Street
• T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge

Explore long-standing restaurants like Croaker’s Spot, neighborhood favorites like Brewer’s Cafe, new additions like Philly Vegan and more when you support the small businesses along and around Hull Street.

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Shops and Services in Manchester, Richmond, VA

• Accoutre, 1312 Bainbridge Street
• Ameen's Barber Shop, 1419 Hull Street
• Belle Isle Shine, 615 Maury Street
• Cece's African Hair Braiding, 1417 Hull Street
• Clippers Barber Shop, 1321 Hull Street
• Dollar Tree, 315 Cowardin Avenue
• ELYA, 7 E. 3rd Street
• Expensive Pain Tattoo, 1437 Hull Street
• Family Dollar, 7 E. 16th Street
• Hound Paint Co., 215 W. 7th Street
• Image Business Interiors, 201 W. 7th Street
• Island Yoga Fitness, 1229 Hull Street
• Lewis Supply Co. Inc., 101 E. 7th Street
• La Fox Hair Design, 1307 Hull Street
• Luxe Boutique, 1423 Hull Street
• Meriel Salon, 505 Hull Street
• Manchester Groom Saloon, 1102 Hull Street
• Manchester Market, 500 Hull Street
• Max Market, 1125 Hull Street
• McDonough Market, 1300 McDonough Market
• Metro by T-Mobile, 616 Hull Street
• Placidity Beauty Bar, 1306 Hull Street
• Pope Carpet & Floor Center, 900 McDonough Street
• Queens of All Trades Studio, 1314 Hull Street
• Rakia African Braiding, 1609 Hull Street
• RICH Nail Lounge, 1106 Hull Street
• River City Kung Fu, 1420 Hull Street
• River City Smoke Shop, 1308 Hull Street
• Riverside Cycling, 3 Manchester Road
• Root Force Personal Training, 1410 Hull Street
• RVA Cutz, 1222 Hull Street
• Stella’s Grocery, 609 Hull Street
• Sureway Mart, 1317 Hull Street
• The Underground Kitchen, 205 Hull Street
• White Tulip Society Tattoo, 1609 Hull Street

Restaurants in Manchester, Richmond, VA

• Autum Cafe, 1113 Hull Street
• Autum Lounge, 1115 Hull Street
• Benchtop Brewing, 400 Hull Street
• Basic City RVA, 212 W. 6th Street
• Cafe Zata, 700 Bainbridge Street
• Caribbean Chef, 901 Hull Street
• Chipotle, 505 Hull Street
• Croaker’s Spot, 1020 Hull Street
• The Continental Manchester, 609 Hull Street
• Gold Lion Community Cafe, 1012 Hull Street
• Ironclad Pizza & Grill, 924 McDonough Street
• La Vera Pizza, 214 Hull Street
• Legend Brewing Company, 321 W. 7th Street
• M&F Jamaican Cafe, 1400 Semmes Avenue
• McDonald’s, 708 Hull Street
• MO Carryout, 17 Jefferson Davis Highway
• Philly Vegan, 1126 Hull Street
• Pig and Brew, 1313 Hull Street
• Subway, 1200 Semmes Avenue
• Sweet Fix, 9 W. 10th Street

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• Downtown Richmond Arts & Culture