Our Journey: Renovating a 1920s Home on the Gas Light Block in Richmond’s Museum District

In 2019, my husband and I embarked on an exciting adventure, moving our family from Denver to Richmond. The destination: a historic gem on the renowned "Gas Light Block" in the Museum District of Richmond. Little did we know that this 1920s house would become an incredibly ambitious renovation project with the COVID-19 pandemic around the corner. Our goal was to update the home but keep the original character that is seen throughout Richmond's Fan and Museum District neighborhood.

Despite both working full-time jobs, we dove headfirst into transforming this house into our dream home. October 2019 marked the beginning of our ownership, and by December, we were settling into the charming atmosphere of Gas Light Block. We planned to start demolition in March which, by chance, happened to be the same weekend of the pandemic lockdown.

The house, with its sturdy bones, held immense potential. The first floor boasted a living room, dining room, breakfast nook, and a gallery kitchen –Beyond, a small deck was a grass backyard that was truly an open canvas and I was already imagining my future garden.

Venturing upstairs, there were 4 bedrooms (2 large and 2 small) and one bathroom. We planned to create a space with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

However, the real challenge lay in the rather scary unfinished basement. Equipped with a washer and dryer, an oil tank, and the plumbing for radiant heating, it held the promise of becoming a functional and inviting space. Yet, an unexpected sight greeted us – a random toilet tucked away in the corner, adding a touch of mystery to the room. Undeterred by the daunting prospect, we embraced the journey of turning this once-neglected space into an integral part of our home. The basement had the same square footage as the upstairs so there was a lot space that we wanted to make livable.

Living on the historic Gas Light Block had its perks, especially during the 4th of July festivities. The vibrant community spirit, with residents blocking off the street, hosting kid-friendly activities, and inviting the fire department for an engine seat experience, made it the ideal place for our family.

Our story is one of transformation – a testament to the joy and challenges (the pandemic) of renovating a 1920s house in Richmond, Virginia. Our goal was to make this house beautiful and keep its original charm and character.

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