Multipurpose entertainment venue opens in Richmond

RICHMOND — The Diamond District is still in its early stages, but rva parka multi-purpose entertainment venue that includes bowling, miniature golf and a food court with six restaurants opened this week, bringing new life to the neighborhood.

The $8 million project features a 55,000-square-foot entertainment space near Richmond’s baseball stadium, The Diamond.

Organizers behind the RVA park say the concept is to transport people to a new place when they walk through the gates.

The group of investors behind the project is led by Michael & Son owner Basim Mansour. Managing Partner Orcun Turkay has over 20 years of hotel management experience, having previously managed a global network of 55 hotels.

“We wanted to design a space that was relevant, engaging and above all fun. What we created was an indoor wonderland that catered to guests from all walks of life, bringing people together, with a sense of community and a level of customer service, Make our guests feel like family,” Turkay said.

Upon entering the entrance, guests are greeted by a 60-foot-long bar billed as the largest in Virginia. Behind the main bar area is 18-lane pin bowling – a type of bowling with smaller lanes and pins. The main bar is flanked by two large dining areas that host a variety of events.

The indoor beer garden features another full-service bar and a 30-pour beer station. The goal of the beverage program is to offer elegant options with decorations such as edible flowers.

RVA Park’s six culinary concepts are divided into three at each end of the site. Developers are working with contemporary food purveyors to introduce modern concepts in street tacos, Southern chicken sandwiches, Asian-inspired fare, burgers and wood-fired pizza from a 6,000-pound state-of-the-art pizza oven. The dessert station will also feature boozy milkshakes and live pastries.

“Food, drink and service are really important,” Turkay said.

“We may not be reinventing the wheel, but what we offer will be best-in-class. We’ve traveled the entire country, from New York to Los Angeles and Vegas, to make sure we’re doing things right. “

More than just its culinary concept, RVA’s parks are organized around entertainment to cater for families and the 21 and up crowd.

In addition to the duck bowling in the center of the venue, it also has an 18-hole fantastic Wonderball miniature golf course, three virtual golf courses, a karaoke room and a giant TV display in the beer garden to experience major sports events and more. It also has a live comedy club and will begin booking performances around midsummer.

“Comedy clubs are getting more and more popular. This is a little bit different. People can come here to have fun, play games and eat, and then go to the theater,” Turkay said.

RVA’s park is part of a larger 273,000-square-foot facility owned by lead investor Mansour. It also has other tenants such as Michael & Son Office Space, Code RVA Magnet School, Richmond Community ToolBank, and Next Round Golf.

The project itself has been in the works for over a year. Turkay said the project was motivated in part by the momentum of nearby development, now known as the $2.4 billion Diamond District project, which is rebuilding the area with affordable housing, a new baseball field and other amenities. RVA’s park is just outside the Diamond District off Brook Road.

“We’re close to the diamond district, there’s a lot going on nearby, there are very few venues right now, but there will be more in the future,” Turkai said.

Investors say the target market for RVA Park includes residents of nearby areas. They also wanted some regional “drive-by markets” due to their proximity to Interstate 95 and places like Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens.

Artwork at RVA Park includes a series of murals from local and national artists. Much of the grounds is covered in murals by Richmond muralist and artist Ed Trask. Other colorful designs cover the interior walls by artists Jared Fykes, Skela, Wing Chow and Mickael Broth.

RVA’s parks will initially be open Wednesday through Sunday and eventually seven days a week. We are open weekdays from 4pm to midnight and Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 2am.After 7:00 p.m., the venue will switch to 21:00 and above