WRVA Building

The WRVA Building is a concrete structure with machine-punch-style windows and a 75-foot freestanding tower located near downtown Richmond. The structure occupies a substantial footprint and displays the modernist design approach of the post-war period.

This modernist structure was designed by Philip Johnson in 1968 and housed the WRVA radio station until the early 2000s. After the station relocated, the building was renovated and took on new purposes.

This structure represents a shift in architectural design during the 1960s, introducing contemporary forms into Richmond's historic Church Hill neighborhood. Its clear, geometric style stands apart from the older houses surrounding it.

The building is located on North 22nd Street in Church Hill and is easily accessible on foot since it sits in a walkable neighborhood. Visitors should note that the structure is now home to a charitable organization, so access may be limited to specific hours.

The concrete facade with its machine-punch window openings creates shifting light patterns inside throughout the day as the sun moves. This geometric window arrangement was an intentional design choice to control how light enters the interior spaces.

Location: Virginia

Inception: 1968

Architects: Philip Johnson

GPS coordinates: 37.53280,-77.42230

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:40