Majestic Old City Hall commands an entire block in downtown Richmond. Completed in 1894, the ornate, Gothic Revival gem designed by Detroit architect Elijah E. Meyers functioned as the Virginia capital’s city hall until the late 1970s, when it was repurposed as an office building. It earned Historic Landmark designation in 1971.

In 2015, Washington-based Quinn Evans shouldered the task of reviving the structure’s dated interior, finally completing the renovation in 2023. “The goal was to restore its original design, bringing key features into alignment with its National Historic Landmark status,” says principal Tom Jester. “We also addressed upgrades to meet code and reduce energy consumption.”

Among the revamped spaces: the skylit atrium (pictured) with its grand, central staircase linking four stories of arcades. In its new iteration, off-white surfaces and warm oak millwork are historically accurate, yet feel fresh. The original laylight system, light fixtures and windows have been restored. Flourishes such as the stair rail’s trefoil motif and faux-wood graining on the column bases, cast-iron balustrades and stair have been meticulously brought back. “The restoration preserves the building’s historic fabric,” Jester notes. “We’re excited to see it renewed for next-generation needs.”

Old City Hall received a commercial Palladio award from Traditional Building in 2024.

Renovation Architecture & Interior Design: Thomas Jester, FAIA, FAPT, LEED AP, Quinn Evans, Washington, DC. Renovation Contracting: Grunley Construction Company, Inc., Rockville, Maryland.