The General Assembly Building

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The General Assembly Building at the corner of Broad and Ninth Streets, facing Capitol Square, reflects the last century of architectural evolution of public architecture of downtown Richmond, considered by some to be the finest assemblage of 20th century architecture in downtown Richmond.

The design of the new 14-story structure incorporated the old GAB’s historic 1912 Life of Virginia limestone façade, blending the old with the new. Great care was taken to preserve the historic façade with its unique classical details through cornice Dutchmen repairs and resetting of balustrades for a seamless integration. The façade was braced during demolition and construction phases through the placement of approximately 370 tons of steel columns, beams, outriggers, and whalers and the drilling and pouring of three-foot-diameter concrete caissons that descended 60 feet below the site. The project team utilized the cutting-edge CraneView equipped with cameras and sensors and used artificial intelligence to identify the material being lifted, empowering the team to make data-driven decisions. The project generated hundreds of jobs, exceeding the statewide goal of 40% SWAM-owned business participation. The completed project was nominated for a Golden Hammer Award in 2023.

For more information on the history and significance of the GAB, see our architectural history.