Blog
News | 2 min read
Virginia State University plans new urban agriculture school facilities on campus
March 17, 2026
Virginia State University is planning to consolidate its agricultural programming at a new complex on its campus in southern Chesterfield, as it also eyes demolition of decades-old residences to tee up future redevelopment.
In support of its agriculture program, VSU wants to construct three new buildings and renovate the existing Summerseat house across 2 acres near the school’s Multipurpose Center.
The project involves the construction of a 3,600-square-foot food demonstration building, a 1,100-square-foot pavilion and a 2,000-square-foot greenhouse on the site, which would join the existing two-story, 1,000-square-foot Summerseat building at 20829 Chesterfield Ave. to form a hub for the university’s agriculture program.
“This project brings together all the College of Agriculture components onto one site to demonstrate research, promote agriculture instruction, and provide cooking classes/instruction to enhance the lives of the students and the surrounding community,” according to a VSU application seeking approval to renovate Summerseat from the state’s Art and Architectural Review Board, which recently reviewed the proposal.
The new buildings, designed by architecture firm Glave & Holmes, would feature materials similar to those used in the construction of Summerseat, which dates to around 1860, like brick construction and wood columns. But they would also incorporate larger expanses of glass and open interiors to create a contemporary feel, according the AARB filing.
Read more on Richmond BizSense >
