Department of Public Utilities Howard (Overbrook) Road Facility
Also known as: Vdhr # 127-6184
Why it's listed
Built from 1926 to consolidate the operations of Richmond's Department of Public Utilities, this complex on Overbrook Road, formerly Howard Road, served as the base for maintaining the city's gas and water systems. It holds a meter repair building, an auto repair shop, a storehouse, a two-story stuccoed building erected by Virginia Electric and Power Company in 1925, and a row of storage sheds. The meter repair building is the standout. Its expressed concrete frame filled with Flemish bond brick panels, topped by a slate gable roof, was an early use of a visible structural grid with masonry walls, a pairing associated with emerging modern architecture. Other buildings show brick pilasters, corbelled cornices and slate roofs. Some original steel windows and doors have been replaced, though the original uses remain readable. The property was recognized for its link to Richmond's expansion and for its architecture, with significance running from 1925 to 1957. The complex is now used for education.
Significance in brief: The facility is tied to Richmond's rapid growth in the early to mid twentieth century, since the Department of Public Utilities built and maintained the city's gas and water infrastructure from here. The meter repair building is also noted as an early example of industrial design that combined an exposed concrete frame with brick infill panels, a type of construction linked to the development of modern architecture.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 07000767, listed July 24, 2007. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1307, 1311, 1315, 1317, 1319 Overbrook Rd., Richmond (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Richmond (city and county) |
| Listed | July 24, 2007 |
| Reference number | 07000767 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1925 - 1957 |
| Architect / builder | Kenneth M. Adelstein |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Now used as a school (current function listed as education); the buildings retain much original character with some window and door alterations. |
| Acreage | 2.4 |
| Within district | James River and Kanawha Canal Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.56453, -77.45316 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 07000767.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16956305
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.