Seeing is believing downtown’s lofty lifestyle.  Venture down for the first annual tour of 13 stylish lofts inside 9 unique buildings located in 5 dynamic Downtown neighborhoods - Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, Broad Street, Jackson Ward, and Manchester. The tour includes lofts and condos featured in Southern Living, Dream Lofts and Condos, R-Home Magazine, Creative Work Space, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Boomer Life, Style Weekly, and other publications.

“This is an incredible opportunity to visit amazing lofts and meet some of Downtown’s leading edge residents.  You’ll see first hand, the creativity, innovation and passion that go into creating these spaces.” said Lucy Meade, Director of Marketing & Development Venture Richmond.  “We are so appreciative of the owners who will open up their homes on April 5th giving others a chance to explore that one-of-a-kind lifestyle experience that you can only find Downtown.”

The Downtown Loft Tour will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Buy a one day “all access pass” to tour Downtown’’s most exclusive, private residences, which includes parking and transportation.  Chartered buses will connect the sites and run every 10 minutes.  You can see multiple lofts at each stop and tour at your own pace.  Plan to try a new restaurant for lunch and explore the neighborhoods.  You’ll receive a Venture Out pocket guide to help you discover the wealth of what Downtown has to offer.

Tickets are $20 in advance. A limited number of tickets are available for group discounts for parties of 10 or more at $15 per person.  Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.venturerichmond.com or at the following shops: La Difference, 125 South 14th Street; Waller & Co. Jewelers, 19 East Broad Street; J. Emerson, Inc. at 5716 Grove Avenue and Papeterie, 3048 Stony Point Road.  Any remaining tickets will be sold for $25 the day of the tour at the Venture Richmond Information Area on the Canal Walk, just behind the Southern Railroad Deli at 14th and Canal.  Parking is located at the 14th and Cary Street parking deck; enter the deck from Cary Street just east of 14th and included in the ticket price.

The following lofts are on the tour:

Vistas on the James
301 Virginia Street
Condo 713, the home of Daniel Lisbon
Condo 1102, the home of Tom Yeaman

The Pohlig Paper Box Factory
2419 East Franklin Street
Penthouse Loft, the home of Ed Shield

The Reserve
2501 East Franklin Street
Unit 8, the home of Rodney Bowens

401 Brook Lofts
401 Brook Road
Penthouse, the home of Kulthida Mibun

Emrick Flats
101 West Marshall Street
Unit 42, the home of John Meara

Popkin Lofts
121 West Broad Street
Loft 201, the home of Michelle Kenney

The Old Manchester Lofts
815 Porter Street
Loft 315, the home of Kathleen & Lin Borkey (Cameron, Jack and E-Bo)
Loft 215, the home of Martin McFadden and Bobby Hash
Loft 115, the home of Greg Provo

The Decatur Building
39 East Third Street
Unit C, the home of Mary Ann Rodriguez-Chapman and Bill Chapman
Unit B, the home of Robyn Brickner Connell and Jeremy Connell

Warehouse 201
201 Hull Street
Unit 52, the home of Alyson Muff

The Downtown Loft Tour is produced by Venture Richmond, in partnership with the City of Richmond Department of Economic Development.  The planning team included Bill Chapman, Lucy Meade, Sandy Banks, Paul Williams, Pamela McElrath, Rick Jarvis, and Ron Stallings.

Venture Richmond, represents the merger of Richmond Renaissance, CityCelebrations, River District Alliance and Richmond Riverfront Corporation.  Venture Richmond engages business and community leaders in partnering with the City to enhance the economic vitality of the community, particularly Downtown, through economic development, marketing, promotion, advocacy and events.