This September, Richmond will welcome a new boutique hotel whose local owners, Ted and Katie Ukrop, plan to capitalize on the destination's blossoming arts scene.
Quirk Hotel, A Destination Hotel, is under construction in a former luxury department store hearkening back to 1916 in the city's Broad Street Commercial Historic District.
"We are determined to provide our guests with an immersive experience that combines the best of Southern hospitality with the vibrancy of Richmond's up-and-coming cultural scene," said Ted Ukrop, cofounder of Lift Caregiving, a Web site that provides free resources for family caregivers.
For all intents and purposes, the hotel will serve as an extension of sorts to the adjacent Quirk Galley, which is owned by the Ukrops. "The Quirk Gallery served as the catalyst for where Quirk Hotel derived its name and concept," he said. "It fosters an approachable atmosphere and exhibits the work of both established and emerging artists, often with an unexpected twist to the overall experience."
Ukrop, a fourth-generation Richmonder, noted that locals will be encouraged to take advantage of the hotel's facilities. "Quirk Hotel was designed to be utilized by the entire community, with a coffee bar, meeting and event space and the only rooftop bar in Richmond," he said. "The goal is to immerse our guests into a Richmond atmosphere - and what better way is there than to have Richmond residents visiting and socializing at the hotel on a daily basis."
Richmond itself is expected to serve as a key selling point for the property. "The hotel will appeal to experiential travelers who are looking for a crossroads between historic destinations mixed with an urban lifestyle," Ukrop said, adding that the hotel, which will offer a generous amount of meetings space considering its size, is being targeted to business travelers as well. "It is designed for modern-day travelers with a charming, fresh feel and contemporary look."
Nonetheless, many of the building's original design elements will remain intact, including an ornamental ironwork staircase.
In all, Quirk will feature 71 guestrooms and four suites.
Its restaurant will feature cuisine created from locally sourced ingredients and its bar offer a mix of classic cocktails reinvented with modern twists, small batch spirits and regional craft beers.
The hotel will be managed by Destination Hotels, which operates luxury independent hotels and resorts throughout the U.S.
It will open in time for the Union Cycliste Internationale World Road Cycling Championships in Richmond Sept. 19 to 27.
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