The River District Association will host a ribbon cutting for the T.B. Fitzgerald, formerly the Coin-Ops building, now renovated into apartments. The event takes place Friday, April 4, at noon at 227 Lynn Street, Danville.
Speakers include Mayor Alonzo Jones and River District Association CEO Diana Schwartz. The project was developed by Cobbled Holdings, LLC.
With just 22 units, the T.B. Fitzgerald offers an intimate living experience in a well-lit, safe area at the heart of the River District, with convenient parking and easy walkability. The development will provide 11 market-rate apartments and 11 workforce housing units for tenants earning under 80% of the area median income.
“Rory Dowling and I are proud to revitalize this historic building while providing much-needed housing, with half of our units designated for income-restricted tenants,” said Dr. Mark Hermann, co-owner. “We believe these apartments add a unique housing option to the River District, further enriching this growing community. We hope they offer another reason to choose Danville as a place to live and work.”
The building’s name honors T.B. Fitzgerald, an influential figure in Danville’s history, an early president of Dan River Mills, and the builder of several iconic downtown structures. A narrative about him is displayed in the lobby. To preserve the building’s history, developers retained the ghost sign of Associated Coin-Ops, the last business to occupy the west end. Historic elements were carefully incorporated into the design, thanks to Belk Architecture and lead architect Andy Shull, who balanced modern upgrades with the building’s industrial heritage.
The apartments feature upscale black stainless steel appliances, fully tiled bathrooms with black fixtures, and soundproofing measures such as gypcrete floors and insulated walls to reduce noise. Hickory flooring adds a unique touch. A detailed landscaping plan will enhance the property over time.
Guided tours of the building will be offered following the ceremony. Schwartz said it is exciting to see more housing options in the district, particularly the re-use of this historic property.
“There is a huge demand for residential living, especially in the district. People gravitate to living options that allow amenities available to our River District residents, such as the Riverwalk Trail and the many locally owned businesses within walking distance.”
Susan McCulloch, division director of housing & development for the City of Danville, added, “We’re excited to see needed residential opportunities opening in the city, and the Tobacco Warehouse District is a great place to live. The views of the Dan River from these units are beautiful. We appreciate Cobbled Holdings, LLC’s capital investment of more than $8 million in the city.”
The Industrial Development Authority of Danville will be working with Cobbled Holdings to offer a conditional real estate tax grant valued at up to $264,600 that will be paid over 15 years. The property is also in the enterprise zone and a state/federal historic district, so it is eligible for historic tax credits.
Please contact Joie Ford with Riverfront Realty, who is managing this property, for additional lease information.