Photo courtesy of Carter Snipes
Get ready to feel the heat in Scott's Addition; Peter Chang is opening a yet-unnamed restaurant at 2816 W. Broad St.
The well-loved chef famous for his authentic Sichuan cuisine already serves the West End, and the greater Richmond area, with Peter Chang China Café in Short Pump, and has announced a fast-casual concept, Peter Chang Wok, due later this year near VCU. But according to Nancy Wan, Chang's real estate agent and general counsel, whatever fills the 3,000-square-foot space in Scott's Addition will be something different.
"This is neither a Wok, nor a full-service Peter Chang's restaurant," she says, "it will be a fast-casual one."
Whatever the concept, it's expected to stick around for some time. According to a press release from the building's owners, Carter and Annie Snipes, Chang signed a 10-year lease on the space — just one floor of the roomy Hofheimer Building.
As of now, Chang is the only new tenant set for the 15,000-square-foot building, though the Snipeses hope to find the right fit for both Chang and the community when they fill the rest of the building.
“We are lucky to have him as a tenant," says Carter, who had been talking to Chang about this deal since November. "We want a good operator next to him, maybe a brewery or winery that would want the 360-degree rooftop — you could go upstairs (if there is a wait) and watch the sunset. That would be a good night."
Built in 1928 for Herold R. Hofheimer as a rug cleaning and storage facility, the striking building is distinguished by white stucco exterior and arched openings. The roof has views of the city and carries Eastern and Islamic influences in a tower boasting a copper minaret.
Construction on the building will begin in June or July, and according to Wan, Chang hopes to be operational in the new space by January 2016.
